Smoke unit service .

[dougdagrump]

I just finished checking the smoke unit on my C-420, #412, with one more to go, #411. The funnel that runs between the body mounted stack and the the smoke unit is showing what appears to be the remains of some sort of gasket between the funnel and the body. The Lionel parts breakdowns don't show this gasket(?) anywhere. Anybody know anything about them or a possible substitute? [D)] [%-)] [sigh]
Forgot to say it was running bass ackwards.

[ChiefEagles]

Doug, if you need a sub, try plumbers string packing or a Ace Hardware gromet. I almost know all of my SD80's are running backward compared to the SD60 [that smokes up a storm]. Also going to check the speakers, the SD80's are half the volume of the SD60. Been reminded tha the speaker wires can be reversed on Lionels.

MAN, you're up early in CAL. !!!!!

[ChiefEagles]

Just took the top of of one of my SD80's and the wick looks might brown. [:(]

[ChiefEagles]

Just got the word [from a YANKEE train repairman] on wicks and the sleves or socks over elements. You can use "MR. PINK" [fiberglass insulation] as replacement. Also, take the sleve or sock off of the element, make a string of the pink insulation, wrap around the element, soak it in smoke fluid, put it back together, fill her up with fluid and away it smokes.

[MartyE]

I've been doing the pink fiberglass deal ever since Norm C from the OGR forum suggested it. He has a pretty good tips page for it @ http://norm.beesky.com/smoke.html . The reverse fan rotation though is a new one. I improved my SD40 with it and I did the Norm C trick for my LM T-1. Next up is to check the fan rotation on the T-1. If it is backwards this baby will fill the room when I fix it. Thanks again *** Teal!

[lionelsoni]

Speaker wires, Frank?

[MartyE]

Yes on some of the Lionels with dual speakers, one of them could have been wired out of phase causing lower volume.

The wires should form an X like the picture below...


If they just go straight across they are out of phase.

[lionelsoni]

I see. I didn't know that anyone was using dual speakers.

[wrmcclellan]

Bob,

Glad you asked as that one was puzzling me also!

Regards,
Roy

[Anonymous]

My plymoth was drowned with smoke fluid how am I going to repair it?:(

[ChiefEagles]

Marty, thanks. Knew that but did not know how to tell if they were wrong. Tried the string of fiberglass wrap around the element. Works but Buckeye said just take it off completely. So I did. Well, used pink fiberglass for wick and made sure the element was pressing against it. Smokes like a MTH. As Buckeye pointed out, if the pink fiberglass insulation chars, how much does it cost to replace??? [;)] So, take the smoke unit apart, remove the sleve/sock over the element and replace the wick with pink insulation. Give her a wetting with smoke fluid and away she will go. Now if you get too much fluid, I blow down the stack [don't get too close or you will get a mouth full of fluid]. It will blow back out until you can get the remainder hot enough to evaporate like normal.

[dougdagrump]

Hmmmmm, I guess now I'll have to go scrounging at some building sites for some left over "Pink Insulation" scraps .[:D]

[eZAK]

alexbutner,

Let the plymoth sit upside down on a towel for several hours or over night.
Then remove the shell and dry up any areas with Q'tips and a rag.

[Jumijo]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ChiefEagles

Marty, thanks. Knew that but did not know how to tell if they were wrong. Tried the string of fiberglass wrap around the element. Works but Buckeye said just take it off completely. So I did. Well, used pink fiberglass for wick and made sure the element was pressing against it. Smokes like a MTH. As Buckeye pointed out, if the pink fiberglass insulation chars, how much does it cost to replace??? [;)] So, take the smoke unit apart, remove the sleve/sock over the element and replace the wick with pink insulation. Give her a wetting with smoke fluid and away she will go. Now if you get too much fluid, I blow down the stack [don't get too close or you will get a mouth full of fluid]. It will blow back out until you can get the remainder hot enough to evaporate like normal.

Does removing the sleeve/sock from around the heating element cuase any future problems, like overheating or element burnout?

Jim

[MartyE]

QUOTE: Does removing the sleeve/sock from around the heating element cuase any future problems, like overheating or element burnout?

I have had the ones I serviced off for more than a couple of years with no issues.

[ChiefEagles]

Not if you keep the fluid in the wick. Just seems to let the element give off smoke better than when covered. You get some charring anyway with the Lionel wick and sleeve. Now you just chunk the pink fiberglass wick and replace it with more. It does seem that you need to add more fluid to keep the pink wet. The old Lionel wick does not hold as much fluid as the pink will. But adding more fluid makes sense. You are evaporating more due to more smoke being produced. Check Marty's link to Beesky. He says chunk the sleeve. Try one for a while and see.

[MartyE]

Here is the link to Norm Charbonneau's smoke unit tip page again. Bookmark it as it is really useful. As a matter of fact his whole site is something to see. Norm C is pretty much an artist when it comes to layouts.

http://norm.beesky.com/smoke.html

[4kitties]

Has anyone published a list of Lionel engines affected by the smoke unit fan being wired backwards? I did a forum search and came up empty. I'm wondering about my PRR J-1a and my JLC N&W Y6b. Frankly, I don't even know if either or both of these have a fan-driven smoke unit.

Joel