Eric you saved me for our local fair in July! I did the fix for my SD-60 the last day I went and helped. The people really liked the smoke!
Thanks Eric for the video (extremely helpful) and Marty for guidance on the motor replacements. Although I have performed many smoke unit repairs, I would not have thought to oil the motor shaft for fear it might have an adverse effect on the motor windings.
Having just purchased a Lionel U30 with this exact problem, it makes me wonder how Lionel's QA process works. Like, sampling of X number of locomotives out of a lot of X to determine overall defects. Don't they hold the Chinese manufacturer to a quality level? I have to assume this translates directly to Lionel's bottom line due to rework and warranty claims and is likely passed on to buyers in the form of higher costs.
I could send this locomotive back to Lionel, but what a hassle. Its like 1 out every 2 locomotives I purchase have something major wrong with them. This is not major, but couple it with wobbling trucks and it makes me scratch my head. These mid range locomotives are still $500 a pop.
I have oiled many smoke unit fan motors. Some it works fine for, others don't respond to the treatment. If it works, great. If not, then a replacement is called for.
I have a pair of Lionel Legacy U-boats with the noisy fan motors. I'm going to replace them with MTH fan motors when I get the urge.
Originally Posted by Marty Fitzhenry:
As you know the MTH and Lionel fan motors are about the same and will interchange. Lionel recently has been using a better motor made by Mabuchi. These are showing up in many Lionel locomotives. I order several and use them in my own MTH locomotives. I recently put one in Locolawyers Hudson and he is happy.
Lionel part number 6101154130.
Marty - would you still recommend the drop of oil on the replacement motor or just install as is? - Mike
Just went through the process, step by step. It solved the problem for about 5 minutes, then the noise came back. Good news is that it allowed me to change out the cheap batting and put the good stuff in. Smokes very well now, but will go ahead and order the new motor mentioned in this string and install that one.
This was a great post and video. Very well done. I always like to hold the bottom of the fan motor when pushing the impeller back onto the motor shaft. Some go back easy, some do not. I always pull the impeller off the motor shaft with needle nose pliers. Never force the impeller from under as you can bend the motor shaft. I have seen many come apart as all those motors are cheap and are not high quality. The white plugs are made by Leoco.
Some times this oil drop will help and I know it does not always last long. Sometimes it does. For the very few bucks these motors cost, it is always best to put in a new motor and before you do so, it is a great idea to put the drop of oil on a new motor.
Marty, I've never oiled the new motors, but you make a good point. It's easy to do when you have it in your hand, and it can't hurt. 
