WILLIAMS STEAMER SMOKE UNIT STOPPED WORKING, ANY IDEAS HOW TO FIX?

[Anonymous]

Just received a Williams S-2 Turbine steamer last week. Beautiful engine and it smoked great. Started producing less smoke one day and I added about five drops more of the smoke fluid that came with the unit and it stopped smoking. I tried emptying the smoke unit and starting from scratch with about 20 drops like the instructions say but it still isn't working. Is there an easy fix, I would hate to send the whole unit back to Williams if there is an easy fix I can do myself. I'm new to the hobby so an hints would be greatly appreciated.

[rlplionel]

If the locomotive is still under warranty, check with Williams first. You don't want to do anything that may void your warranty.

[brianel027]

Williams makes some rugged, darn nice engines for the price. But I've never liked those Seuthe Smoke Units that they use. The Seuthe units were made in Germany to my last knowledge, so you'd think they'd be quality. But I've had the units burn out pretty quick on me too. And the ones that have lasted have gone over a year. The Seuthe ones are pretty sensitive and it's also best to just stick with their smoke fluid. Supposedly Williams has some kind of shutoff for when the smoke unit runs out of fluid, so it doesn't burn out. I've had much much better luck with the smoke units made by Bachmann... yes, Bachmann - the HO guys. I've had the Bachmann units going on 3-4 years with no trouble. And they're much less expensive too. But on the topic of your loco, I'd let Williams take care of it since it is obviously under warranty. It's a drag to have to return something, but Williams has a good reputation for making good on problems.
If you are mechanically inclined you might just decide to replace the unit yourself. A Bachamann unit might fit, I'm not sure. I am certain you'd have to do a lot of cobbing to get a Lionel or MTH unit in there even if it came close to fitting. Maybe someone here has done that?
brianel

[Anonymous]

I agree with Robert, if it's under warranty send it back.
Keith