I think you are over-concerned.

I have the brown Seetal Crocdile and I cannot find any problem.

Please show us the picture.

I just took my 37522 out of the display cabinet and checked it out. It appears to be ok. I would like very much to see your pictures of the problem, though, Eduardo.

I have the brown version. My version is oke.

And I am not sure if the frame is made from zink.

Eduardo, sorry to hear about your croc. Since Marklin is going to be a new version (37524) or this lok soon, hopefully they will have all of the parts that will be needed to restore yours to full operation!

Just checked mine, the green version 37522 and its in perfect condition. Sorry yours had a problem.

You have to send it back to germany, to the Factory in Goppingen with a letter explaning the problem. They should send to you a new one.

I think they take this as a big quality problem. Last year I sent to Germany my kof, and also a lot of people of this forum send their ones and they received a new loco. I have realized that both engines, the Kof and this Seetal croc were made in 2001 or 2002, may be the metal used in those years had a lack of quality.

Hi all,

Just my two pennies worth about spare part availability; I guess it shouldn't be an issue in due time as the Seetal Crocodile will be released again as a summer new item this year. Hence; parts need to be produced anyway.

Warranty - what warranty With M broke it's GAME OVER [xx(][xx(][xx(]

Remember when we warned about the Kingsbridge Hoppers
And "Super Insider" cried "we shouldn't disturb the wonderful topics with our useless warnings"
But perhaps Clown Ditz and Mr Wise Guy will pay for your warranty cost, now ... [}:)][}:)][}:)]

I assume that the condition of the loco will depend on the production batch which in turn is probably related to the series number underneath the loco. My model 37521 (serial no. H2105926) appears to be o.k.

So production shifts to a cheaper source of labor and material and the consumer has to eat it, all the while paying more for items that are "supposedly" in the luxury category of toys and collecting? Sign me up.

Agree with you, Roman - such is the situation by today [:(]

Now, where are Mr Pluta's "many" investors All gone
After burning billions in their VW adventure at least PORSCHE
seems to have enough own trouble for jumping into the game.

Wonder if M will ever come back to old glory ...

"Zinkpest" is an incurable disease that hopefully should now be eliminated from modern locomotives. Zinc pest is a form of intercrystalline corrosion. The process is accelerated by moisture in warm air and relative humidities of 65% or greater. Hydrogen released from water migrates into the grain boundaries of the zinc alloy and causes expansion which results in cracking along those grain boundaries.

Zinc can be alloyed with aluminum, magnesium, copper, lead and cadmium usually at levels less than 1%. Larger concentrations of iron, lead, cadmium and tin could have an adverse effect on corrosion resistance, which results in structural weakening of the die casting.

Two types of zinc alloy were developed. In the 1920's, ZAMAK (zinc-aluminum-magnesium-copper) and in the 1970's ZA (zinc-alumunium) were produced. The ZAMAK contains about 4% aluminum and are identified by their numbers 3,5 and 7.

Maerklin uses ZAMAK 410 which is like ZAMAK 3 or 5. ZAMAK 3 and 5 differ by the addition of 1% copper to the 5 to make it more ductile.

Permitted additives (= aimed added metals to reach around certain material properties) in cast alloys ZAMAK 3: Aluminum 3.8 to 4.3% copper up to 0,03% magnesium 0.03 to 0,06%.

Permitted impurities (= which one can still tolerate at impurities to hold around the costs of the production in the framework): Iron max. 0.1% nickel max. 0.02% manganese max. 0.01% lead max. 0.005% cadmium max. 0.005% tin max. 0,003%

Data suggests that higher levels of copper and lead in the zinc alloy aid the degradation. High levels of aluminum can cause oxidation to occur leading to rust.

Some people regard tin pest as the actual cause of zinc pest. With tin pest pure metallic beta-tin is converted below 13,2°C into non-metallic alpha-tin. Energy becomes free and the density falls, i.e. the volume grows. Because the content of tin is well under 1%, then the volume in the zinc alloy to cause zinc pest alone by tin is not really substantiated.

A comprehensive treatise on zinc pest is given by Peter Berg at
http://www.tischeisenbahn.de/Restauri/page4.htm

You may be able to hinder its progress by simply using a clear varnish and painting this over the chassis areas in question. A poly(urethane) type would work well. The varnish will dry and seal any cracks and should help prevent further damage.

Hi FMS,

Thanks for the nice comment, it is appreciated.

Having had the explanation of how zinkpest developes, could'nt of Märklin done something at the production stage and varnish it, as suggested by Maurice ?

Wow, sorry to see that in your new locs, guys. It's something to dread and expect in old stuff but in 2005?

I had a 1960s era Rivarossi Cab forward that had it---warped the drive so that it only road on the rear drivers of each engine. I broke the frame into three peices, then glued it together with JB Weld. Once hardened, I filed and cleaned it up, then painted it with a coat of enamel. There seems to be no ill effects 5 years later, guess I'll have to pull it apart and see.

If it isn't ZincPest but maybe poor quality metal made weaker by the design of the tab then that would be good to know as well. If it were a solid ledge there instead of incorporating a slot, perhaps it may never have broken off. Just a thought.

The surface on your frame differs greatly from eduard71's judging by the photos. Much smoother in appearance.

If there is a problem then it is probarly in only one serie.
Not in the complete production.

Difficult to say . If it comes from moulding or not...
To have a better idea , all photo should be taken under same light, from same angle, with same lens etc...etc...,
On Eduard's pictures , it looks sometimes like fingerprintz ...( some kind of reactive dust, or reactive product , during manufacturing...who knows..? What could be reactive with "fresh" zamac ? , etc...)

Comment deleted.

I was in error.

I see this problem is being reported with other non-Maerklin products. Please see:

http://www.rmweb.co.uk/f...pic.php?f=11&t=38536

Cheers!

Edmund

I've looked at 37521, and it looks ok so far.

Don't see why it wouldn't. I just got my VT08 back from service in Germany. Runs great now.