This is probably redundant but....

[Demon09]

Does anyone have any suggestions to getting my lionel 4-4-2 Chesapeake and Ohio seaboard freighter to increase the smoke out put.... I got it about 11 years ago, and i remember it smoking much more at the time.... now it barely leaves traces in the air directly over it......I know lionel starters have never done well with smoking like some of the more impressive locos........ Ive considered opening it up and cleaning out the smoke unit, because i was only 7 at the time i recieved the locomotive and it has never had the smoke unit cleaned of dust, dog hairs, and oil...... is it a good idea to open it and clean the unit? is there anything i need to know before doing so? the loco has incredible sentimental value so i dont want anything to go wrong.....

As long as im asking, i also have another lionel 2-4-2 from the 1970's that looks like it could use some care.... the smoke unit and sound units work perfectly, nice and loud, lots of smoke..... the problem with this loco is that the gears make an ungodly racket and buzzing sound while running.....the gears appear to be greased, but once again, i recieved this one used when i was about 8 and it wasnt in the best condition at the time, and i was unaware it needed maintenance until recently.............. the wheels used to spark but i cleaned them and that went away....... would it be a good idea to open this one as well and clean the gunk off the gears, and re oil the moving parts?

Thanks in advance..... ive learned so much here since i joined, and have built a decent little layout, but i still consider myself to be a newbie compared to the amazing layouts and projects ive seen on here!

[1688torpedo]

Hello Demon! The answer to your first question is that the smoke units in your stater set loco is self contained & cannot be taken apart or serviced. If it no longer smokes after fluid is put in, then it needs to be replaced.Your other engine most likely needs to be taken apart & cleaned & greased. After that, It should run well. If you need anything else. Just let us know. Have a nice day.

[Demon09]

i cleaned out both locos of all the hair and grime...... the newer one smokes a little better, but i suppose will never be perfect (neither loco smokes all that much to begin with).... the fluid had spilled all inside and the bars werent meeting up with the smoke unit to pump the air...... the older one is still making noise, although it is not nearly as bad as it was before..... i havent re greased any of the gears yet though because i dont have any specific grease to use....... i just spent all my money buying textbooks for my spring classes and cant afford a maintenance kit as of now..... is there any common household product i could use? i think someone had mentioned vasoliene or petrolium jelly before? would these work?

[Demon09]

now the sound unit on the older 2-4-2 seems to have some kind of short in it..... this is giving me a headache..... the sound unit still makes sound, but it is a pathetic struggling sound that doesnt match up to what it was just 5 minutes before..... there was a quick spark from between the engine and tender and it isnt sounding right anymore..... it also draws way too much power on each chuff, causing the lights to flicker each time a sound is made...... could i have crossed a wire, or does it seem like the sound board is bad now....... im starting to get frustrated with this loco, and now it seems ive made things worse!