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All,

What is the absolute WORST CASE SCENARIO when it comes to overfilling a lionel smoke unit? Questions,

1. Could it clog the gearbox?

2. I know it could fry boards, but could it STAY in the engine, if not cleaned up, and fry boards?

DISCLAMER, I am just curious, nothing more. Thanks.

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Well, I can't see how it could clog the gearbox, I think that's a pretty slim possibility.  The biggest issue is it makes a mess!  I know that smoke fluid will eventually make some wiring insulation brittle, that's a significant issue.  While I've seen boards soaked in fluid, I've never actually lost one, I just hose them off with alcohol and they're good as new.

Once it's wiped up, I can't see how it jumps up and does anything to the boards.

Last edited by gunrunnerjohn

I have a Railking RS-3 that's PS3. The gasket was off on the smoke tube where you add smoke fluid. It wasn't smoking well so I took it apart and the smoke fluid was everywhere including on the PS3 electronics. I wiped it all down, installed a new wick, fixed the gasket and put it back together. That was well over a year ago, probably more like two years and the engine is still running just fine. Sure made a big mess though.

I agree 100% with GRJ and RTR12 - I have seen fluid get into the fan motor on the smoke unit (I am guessing via the bearings or mounting holes) and damage the fan motor.  It is not common, but can happen.

There are 2 types of smoke fluids I have encountered, one water based, one oil based.  The water based fluid can damage electronics.  Some starter sets have water based fluid (safety reasons); however Lionel Premium fluid is oil based.  This is why Lionel highly suggests using Lionel Premium smoke fluid in the Legacy locos.  The oil based fluid does not cause electronics damage; at least I have never seen that happen.

Last edited by SantaFeFan

Thank you for your responses everyone! Now I will know what to do if smoke fluid leaks everywhere inside an engine!

SantaFeFan posted:

There are 2 types of smoke fluids I have encountered, one water based, one oil based.  The water based fluid can damage electronics.  Some starter sets have water based fluid (safety reasons); however Lionel Premium fluid is oil based.  This is why Lionel highly suggests using Lionel Premium smoke fluid in the Legacy locos.  The oil based fluid does not cause electronics damage; at least I have never seen that happen.

So, if a smoke fluid is oil based, no matter what manufacturer, would it be OK? Thanks,

Santa Fe 3751

play trains posted:

This thread got me thinking! I only have a Christmas layout with MTH engines ,proto 3. When I fill the smoke units I get smoke but around the engines, not out of the stack, diesel or locos. If I blow into the stack, it suddenly works correctly! Am I doing something wrong? I'm very careful about overfilling!

When you add smoke fluid, it can create a bubble of fluid blocking the smoke from exiting properly.  This is caused by the surface tension of the oil and is affected by how narrow the tube is, the narrower the more it likely will happen.  Blowing down the smoke stack is a good way of breaking this bubble.  I believe most Legacy engines now come with a funnel to use when adding smoke fluid to help prevent this.  You can also use items small enough to fit down the smoke stack to pop the bubble, like a toothpick, small straw, screwdriver, etc. just stop when feeling any resistance.

Handle it like a man.Do it right.If somebody really went overboard and you have a huge mess on your hands,pull the shell off and clean everything up.Take the top off the smoke unit and inspect.This may be a good time to re pack the unit and replace the resistor.Many good tutorials on you tube if you are new at this.Many guys on here eager to help with advice and instruction.Nick

Last edited by rockstars1989

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Ste 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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