Does your Power Function smell bad?

[Sergey K.]

Hi.

I’ve bought the 4958 "Monster Dino" set and I noticed that IR transmitter and receiver give off an unpleasant smell like low-quality plastic. I wonder if anyone else noticed something like this too. I’m a little disappointed about it.

Thank you.

[Siegfried]

Err.... no. I even just checked. Even so, I'm pretty sure these parts are not made by TLG so it's possible that your batch did....

[CP5670]

I never noticed anything with the PF parts in the 8275 Bulldozer.

However, the plastic is indeed something lower quality than the standard ABS. It's not as shiny and the studded parts (like the IR receivers) don't seem to fit as well over standard bricks.

[natelite]

i think you should complain to customer service. they will send you non-smelling PF pieces and you can then send the foul smelling PF pieces to me.

[Sergey K.]

I'm pretty sure these parts are not made by TLG

Well… I think it’s fair to relate everything that comes in a box to TLG wherever it was made (in this case in China I guess).

i think you should complain to customer service. they will send you non-smelling PF pieces and you can then send the foul smelling PF pieces to me.

Actually I did it 5 days ago I haven’t got an answer except the one that was from a machine. But this thing is quite a lot more serious that missing parts, because generally if plastic smells, that probably means that it’s toxic, so it’s really a complicated and unpleasant situation for TLG and to be honest I think it’s a right decision to ignore me. But let’s wait, maybe they won’t.

[legotrainfan]

Actually I did it 5 days ago I haven’t got an answer except the one that was from a machine. But this thing is quite a lot more serious that missing parts, because generally if plastic smells, that probably means that it’s toxic, so it’s really a complicated and unpleasant situation for TLG and to be honest I think it’s a right decision to ignore me. But let’s wait, maybe they won’t.

You always get an automatic response first, declaring that TLC has received your mail. After some days you get a response dealing with your problem. If you don't get a response concerning your problem, then check your post box frequently. Always when I don't get a reply, they send me the criticised pieces for free. If they don't answer to your complaint, new pices are under way. If you are really concerned that it's toxic because it smells, phone them.

[Deinonychus]

That has to be the greatest "out of context" topic title ever

But no, never noticed any stench.

[Freddie]

Nope, never experienced any of my Power Functions elements smelling.

However, since you're dealing with electronics here, phone customer support and tell them of the piece. The smell could very well be caused of faulty electronics, which is a serious issue. (And trust me on this; as a toy-store employee I once had a customer who returned a flashlight that had burned because of faulty electronics, and that was a three-volt toy!)

Edited January 30, 2009 by Freddie

[Sergey K.]

I doubt that it happens due to electricity because I think in this case there was a plenty of time to let the batteries go dead, meanwhile everything works fine now. And the RC and the receiver are separate components and they both smell.

I can’t phone the support because I live in Russia, so it’s expensive to call and besides as you could notice my English’s hardly fine enough to talk in real time.

I didn’t intend to make an awfully big deal of it, I’m just curious if someone noticed such things but me.

Thank you for advises BTW.

[Hinckley]

(And thrust me on this; ...)

Yikes, you're taking this seriously!

This is one of my favorite topics ever...

[Freddie]

Yikes, you're taking this seriously!

This is one of my favorite topics ever...

Oops!

[CP5670]

The innuendo here is hilarious.

I've noticed the black/red 9V motors give off a slight metallic odor if you run them for a while. I think all of them do this though.

Edited January 30, 2009 by CP5670

[Erdbeereis]

Lovely topic title.

I don't have much experience with Power Functions, but I sure am enjoying this thread.

[Sergey K.]

Well, they replied me today and said that the replacement had been sent. They also asked me to send them the substandard parts. They say that they will refund shipping costs. I don’t know how they are going to do that since I don’t have any credit carts. For now, I told them that I’d contact them as soon as I got a replacement.

[CP5670]

I thought I would bump this old thread, since I bought several PF parts a few days ago and realized what the OP was talking about. The IR receiver I got does have an odd, musty smell to it, almost like moth balls. I don't find it bothersome though and can only smell it if I put it up to my nose. None of the other PF parts have any issue.

I checked out the two older receivers in my 8275 Bulldozer and noticed that those also have a similar smell, although it's much fainter.

[Brickthus]

I thought I would bump this old thread, since I bought several PF parts a few days ago and realized what the OP was talking about. The IR receiver I got does have an odd, musty smell to it, almost like moth balls. I don't find it bothersome though and can only smell it if I put it up to my nose. None of the other PF parts have any issue.

I checked out the two older receivers in my 8275 Bulldozer and noticed that those also have a similar smell, although it's much fainter.

I checked out a PF receiver and can confirm that there is a smell.

I don't think it's the external plastic, either ABS or polypropylene.

The smell is greatest near the holes in the base where Technic pegs can be inserted.

This means the smell comes from something inside.

I think it might be the black stuff that surrounds the Alpha chip on the circuit board.

It's a standard type of potting compound.

Worth checking out other LEGO products that use similar stuff, to see if they also smell:

The RC train loco base has a similar Alpha chip. Not sure if it's potted the same way.

I can't think of any others off the top of my head.

Mark

[CP5670]

The IR remote may also contain the same substance. I noticed a trace of the smell around its holes too. I think the smell subsides over time, as it is much less prominent on the receivers I've had for a while than on the new one.

[Bakuzs]

I have the same problem! I got the lego 60051 passenger train like 6 years ago and when I took the reciever out of the bag it had an awful smell. It still stinks after 6 years even though i opened the train many times for it to charge. I also noticed that the contacts on the reciever and the motors plug look like they are water damaged.