Unclogging Flyer Smoke Units?

[RedfireS197]

Thanks all for the replies.  I've got a 290 and at least one multicast 302 that need this done.  I'll report back.

[AF53]

I've heard about tv tuner cleaner before. The only difference is to leave it in overnight.

[rrlineman]

get a can of TV tuner cleaner (radio shack if they still have it) or a can of brake /carb cleaner. put the red extension stick in the funnel or hole if the unit is out of the shell. spray just a enough to have some bubble out. Should take the chassis out if a plastic shell becaused the last 2 cleaners will melt the plastic boilers.

let it sit for about 5-10 mins, then apply voltage to the smoke unit. you should hear a bubbling or sizzling sound from the unit. use a straw to blow into the unit and see how much smoke comes out.  this will not hurt the heating element but will dissolve the varnish of the old fluid. 1 treatment should do the trick . then refill with a good thin fluid like AF smoke. or Super smoke. about 10 drops should do. beeen doing this for over 30 yrs to save units without changing out the smoke element.

hope this helps

[Banks]

Jim

I've had good luck with soaking Ho ones with rubbing alcohol.  Fill it up and empty it several times. Let it soak for a while each time. Blow with canned air and let sit several days for the water to evaporate before adding smoke

[RedfireS197]

Does anyone have any tricks for dissolving the sludge that the original Gilbert fluid turns to and clogs the wick?

Normally, I'd replace the wick, but I'm hoping for an easier solution.