746 smoke unit

[bossman]

Hello, I don't know much about the type of smoke unit like in the 746. Mine has been setting a shelf for over a year. I placed four to eight drops of smoke fluid in it like the instructions calls for. The 746 does not smoke very much. I can barely see it. The smoke mechanism is operating ok. Do these smoke units produce much smoke? How can I tell if it is operating properly? Thanks, Bossman

[Firelock76]

Is this the Lionel 746 Norfolk and Western Class J, or the Bachmann produced copy?  If Lionel, is it the one from the 50's, or a later version?

It's important for us to know so we can give you the correct answers.

[BigAl 956]

I am assuming this is a Lionel Postwar 746? You did everything correctly. What type of fluid are you using? I find 'Megasteam' is the best liquid smoke. 

What you want to do is disassemble the locomotive and inspect the smoke unit. There is a cam that pushes up a piston that forces smoke out. Sometimes the cam is broken or the piston sticks and you get no outward air push. A sticky piston can usually be fixed with a small spring.

Unfortunately you cannot get inside this smoke unit so if it's not heating or the case is cracked and leaking you will need to replace it. This was one of the first to use liquid instead of pills so it's possible someone dropped a pill or two into it and clogged it up.

Modern liquid smoke units use a small piece of insulation to act as a wick to soak up smoke fluid making them puff better. If all else fails you may want to try this with a small piece of fiberglass insulation material.

Good luck, A.R.

[cwburfle]

IF it is a Postwar Lionel 746, there is a possibility that you have overfilled the smoke unit. I have had engines that were in storage for years start smoking after a few minutes without having any extra smoke stuff put in. This is true for both liquid and pellet postwar smoke units.

IMHO, it is important to use up the old material before adding fresh stuff. I think the Lionel manual may have had a warning to this affect.

If the liquid smoke unit is overfilled, I don't think there is much you can do other than keep running it without adding any fluid. If it is smoking a little, eventually it will dry out.

Postwar Lionel liquid smoke units were not meant to be disassembled. I've done it, and don't recommend trying.

[daves92camaro]

maybe you have an air pocket....try blowing into the smoke stack with it in neutral for a few seconds...ive had that happen...then poof a big smoke ring comes out and it smokes like normal

[bossman]

It is the Lionel 746 J class. Bossman

[bossman]

Upon closer inspection I discovered the cam was stuck in the up position. I freed the mechanism and it smokes like a champ. Thanks BibAl

[bossman]

I discovered that it was the smoke mechanism was stuck. Freed it up and it smokes like a champ. Thanks for the  info. Bossman

[bossman]

I discovered that it was the smoke mechanism was stuck. Freed it up and it smokes like a champ. Thanks for the info. Bossman