American Flyer Steam - Smoke Unit Leaking

[richhotrain]

Oh boy.  I had a setback on Friday evening with my rehab project.  Then gone all weekend to visit my son and his family.

I added some smoke liquid through the stack and noticed that the cow catcher was soaked and there was no smoke.  Turned the engine over and there was smoke liquid all over the bottom of the front portion of the engine.

I am ready to disassembly the engine shell to get a look at the smoke unit which is in the boiler.  Any ideas what the problem may be?   Any tips on disassembling and repairing the problem?

Thanks.

Rich

[Sturgeon-Phish]

If your smoke unit is one with a plate on the bottom it is not uncommon for them to leak after being taken apart.  You can try and tighten the six little screws but go easy.  Take the plate off.  Ensure it is not warped or cracked, if it is replace it.  Then get some automotive gasket sealant, and carefully put a fine film on the smoke unit body place the bottom on the body and carefully and evenly tighten the screws. 

Jim

[richhotrain]

Sturgeon-Phish

If your smoke unit is one with a plate on the bottom it is not uncommon for them to leak after being taken apart.  You can try and tighten the six little screws but go easy.  Take the plate off.  Ensure it is not warped or cracked, if it is replace it.  Then get some automotive gasket sealant, and carefully put a fine film on the smoke unit body place the bottom on the body and carefully and evenly tighten the screws. 

Jim

Thanks, Jim.  I will give that a try.  When I first took the engine out of storage, I had taken the shell off the engine to examine the motor, so at least I am unfamiliar with disassembly.   This guy was really smoking good, so I was sad to see it start leaking.  Hopefully, it is a minor repair.

Rich

[Timboy]

 

[richhotrain]

Timboy

 Are you sure that you actually put the liquid smoke down the smoke tube and into the smoke box?  It's best to use a small funnel that is specifically designed for that purpose.  The reason I mention this is that I have missed the smoke fill hole once - okay maybe twice.  THAT much liquid is a clue to me that maybe you did too.  I'm just saying...

I will look at that again, but I haven't missed yet although there is always a first time. 

I wondered if the old wick which is still the original hardened up once it was in use again after 40 years causing the smoke liquid to come back up over the top and out.  I will also look at that.

Rich

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Once you re-saturate a wick and keep it in use it should not re-harden. 

After reading again your original post I missed it was smoke fluid you saw.  I wonder if the unit is not over filled.  I have done this several times.  Take the loco and turn it upside down on a paper towel or tissue and slightly elevate the rear to drain the fluid from the smoke unit.  Let it set overnight this way.  Run the engine till the smoke starts to taper off then add about 8 drops.  This is usually sufficient for 15 – 20 minutes of running.

Jim

 

[Anonymous]

Rich,

         Jim made an excellent point about the screws.  Treat these screws like you would screws that go into plastic.  The holes will become stripped easily if the screws are just slightly overtightened.  Been there, done that.

I like to turn the screws backwards until I feel them drop into the threads in the hole before tightening them.  Tighten them until they stop and no more.