Lionel F3 (6-34630) Intermittent Smoke

Mike, I’ve seen those “weak” fan motors like that on various Lionel diesels.  Lube doesn’t help or breaking them in either.  Replace it with a new smoke fan motor.  

Steims, thanks.  Well, I’ve never done that before so it will be an adventure.  Do you know if that’s something I can get from Lionel or should I look at a parts supplier?

Replace the motor, while you're at it, replace both of them.

I use MTH smoke motors if they fit, 90% of the time it's no problem.  There are a few Lionel installations that require the shorter motor that Lionel has, those you have to use the Lionel motors.

Thanks, John.  A couple questions then.  First, should I go straight to MTH to get smoke unit motors or is there a favored parts supplier?

And second, how do I get that smoke unit off in order to gain access to underneath?  It's mounted on some chrome posts but I don't see screws from the top or bottom.  Thanks.

In this case, you don't need to get under it.  Take the top PCB off, and you'll see the impeller and fluid chamber.  Grab an impeller blade near the hub with a pair of needle-nose pliers and pull straight up.  Now you'll see two tiny screws.  take those out and the motor will drop out.  Reassemble in reverse order.  Note the polarity when you connect the new motor, the motor should spin clockwise for that smoke unit.

MTH smoke motors installed.  Thank you!

Love a success story.

@th55 posted:

I had this issue on my late model Lionel B6SB 0-6-0 ( 2031360) switcher.  I turned the volume down a bit and now it appears to be fixed.

Apples and oranges.  You have a current model steam with the LCP2 electronics, he has a first generation Legacy diesel with the modular electronics.  They're as different as they could be.