30-1503-1 MTH 2-10-0 Imperial Decapod smoke troubles

Blow down the stack.

Can you tell if the fan is on?  If not, you'll need to take it apart to find out why.

Sounds like either the smoke unit is not positioned right, the gasket is in the wrong place and blocking the stack, or similar.  Look down the stack, do you see directly into the smoke unit, or are you seeing something else.

 

I doubt you need a new smoke unit, it is making smoke after all, just not putting it in the right place.

 

I lookeddown the stack of this and another MTH steam engine of that generationa nd both look the same. I also, blew down the stacka nd ran it, no change. Is the fan part of the smoke unit? Here is a picture of what is happening.

Thanks again, Mike

The engine is going to have to come open to see what's happening.  clearly, something that should be visible when you expose the smoke unit is happening.

 

I never opened it, can the engine run with it opened

Normally, you can run without the shell on, it really depends on the locomotive.  In any case, I'm thinking that it's likely the cause of the issue will be evident when you get the shell off.

 

No, this engine has part of the board attached to the shell. I believe the gasket between the fan housing and smoke pot has slid down and is blocking the airway. It is an easy fix. You will have to remove the shell and unattach the harness. Then look at the 4 screws on the smoke unit and remove the 2 in the back where the fan is. Once the fan is out of the way you will be able to see a little black felt like gasket. Wipe it dry and reposition it over the opening to where the opening of the gasket matches the opening of the smoke pot. Once thats in place put the fan back up to it and tighten the screws. While you do have it open make sure the fan is tight on the shaft. These get loose after time and smoke fluid seems to help like a lubricant to make it spin on the shaft. If it is loose pull it the rest of the way off and take a pair of needle nose pliers and gently sqeaze the end of the fan where the hole is so its slightly out of round and then slide it back on the shaft. It then won't slip and that will solve that problem too.

Also I noticed, Why is your smoke stack bent? It looks like it may have took a hard hit by how your picture looks. I have this same engine and mine is straight. This shell is also used for the K4 and L1 which I have too and none of them are bent. I know the stack will come off and can be repositioned so maybe that's part of the problem.

Nice catch Erik. G

Thanks for the answer Eric, I'll take it apart and check out the gasket and fan. the stack what's been like that since n I took out out of the box new, thought it looked weird but it gave the engine character. I do have a engine that took a dive onto concrete, not too much damage and it still runs.

 

After putting up lights today I will check the engine and let you know how I made out.

Great, glad all work out.

Interesting, doesn't really explain why smoke came out of bottom of engine, but if its working fine now.  Good Job.  G