Maybe to much smoke fluid.

I'm with you.  I like it when I add fluid and it shoots out the stack and on to my engine.  I find that tapping on the stack helps it go down, but not always. 

Another way is I sometimes check the cylinders. Sometime it will make its way down there and collects.If there is some or alot.I take the locomotive off the tracks and clean the wheels off.Oh I also clean the tracks to just in chase.

Some experts recommend to insert a "needle"down the stack directly into the wadding.But its hard to judge how much fluid you are putting in with that method.N.

im conservative with smoke fluid. I'd rather put in a few drops and refill more often than chance soaking too much

Steve

I use a diesel dropper from Super Steam.  Can get the stuff into chamber.  With this I can also count the drops.

Well, at least you didn't panic, run out, and buy two brand new smoke units for absolutely no reason!!!!

My little NYC 4-4-2 has been the best "puffer" in my collection of starter set 4-4-2's. When I fired it up Monday evening, nothing... Not even a wisp. Figured it was working "too good" and burned up the resistor.

%$#@!, so yesterday I ordered two new smoke units from Lionel, so I'd have a spare.

Yesterday afternoon, I felt like watching my 4-4-2 doubleheader run around the track while giggling like a fool, so I did. After about 10 minutes, the NYC started to puff a little smoke! Within 2 minutes it was smoking like before. Double %$#@!

Must've put too much smoke oil in.

In troubleshooting the NYC, I pulled out a "bad" smoke unit from another locomotive that I had laying around. Measured 29 Ohms across the resistor. Hmm.

When I hooked the "bad" smoke unit direct to the transformer, and hit the puffer, that one worked too!

Another case of too much smoke oil, I'm sure. The smoke from this one was "kerosene" scented, but I use "pine forest."

Gotta watch that smoke oil dropper.

sometimes a bubble appears as you look down in the stack and the little motor cannot overcome it. i take a toothpick to break the bubble and all good and fast reacting when i hit smoke command.