MTH smoke unit wick: how should a new one be installed?

I form a twisted U and place the wick between the elements.  When placing in body make sure fan port is clear.  G

It seems like the MTH users tend to have the strand almost "pinched" between the two resistors to ensure that they're making good contact with the heat source. This appears to also be how they come from the factory according to your pic.

And, as GGG said, be sure that the notch that exists in the top edge of the smoke bowl (which allows good airflow from the fan to the smoke chamber and out though the stack) is unobstructed by the batting.

The wick needs to go between the heating elements and then down into the body of the smoke unit in order to pick up the fluid. As GGG mentioned, the air way between the fan and the stack must not be blocked by the wick.

This question comes up often. Somebody should make a close up video showing how to replace smoke wicks for future reference.

Thanks a whole bunch guys.  I really appreciate the advice. I'll twist it up like factory and make sure it's between the coils and the port wide open. 

when you look down stack should you see wick? are  resistors  supposed to be  back from stack?,,

You want the wick where it meets the resistor(s) of the smoke unit offset from the stack.  The heated wick should be between the fan outlet and the stack.  That allows the air to blow across the heated wick and out the stack.  I follow Marty's picture for MTH smoke units, that usually works out great.

I just replaced the wick & gasket on my premier Blue Comet. Thanks, Gunrunner, for the tip on how to cut the gasket at York.  It worked like a charm. 

How much smoke fluid is needed with a brand-new wick?

Thanks,

John

For a brand new rebuild, or fresh from the factory, I put in about 2/3 of a JT's Mega-Steam dropper.  Do it slowly so you allow the wick to soak some up before you drown it.

I tried two methods of installing wicking.

The first and more traditional way is to wrap the wicking around the resistors, and let it dangle into the fluid well. However doing so, the wicking chars in a short period of use.

A better way is to over-stuff the wicking into the fluid well such that it naturally contacts the resistors. I find that this technique is easier to do, it allows more smoke fluid per fill, the wicking lasts longer, and the smoke is profuse. 

Bobby Ogage posted:

A better way is to over-stuff the wicking into the fluid well such that it naturally contacts the resistors. I find that this technique is easier to do, it allows more smoke fluid per fill, the wicking lasts longer, and the smoke is profuse.

Which is exactly what I recommended in another thread.  Since with TMCC, you can't really use the two resistors, that's the way you have to do it anyway.

Here it is almost 2 weeks later and the new wick on my Blue Comet is used-up; or at least appears to be. I've run it daily (about 20-30 minutes per day) since replacing the wick and gasket, and this evening smoke output dropped significantly.  I took the unit apart, and this is what I found.  

I added smoke fluid (JT's) before each run and during each run as soon as smoke output slowed down. What did I do wrong? Or is this the normal life expectancy of a wick?

Thanks

John

Does the chimney in the photo simply pull out?  I'm trying to replace a wick in an older MTH F40PH PS1 engine and the chimney appears to be sealed in place and I can't remove the screws from the top of the circuit board to do so because 2 of the screws are seated below the chimney.

I suggest you start a new thread for a new issue.

Exact model numbers are useful if you want specific locomotive help.

BlueComet400 posted:

Here it is almost 2 weeks later and the new wick on my Blue Comet is used-up; or at least appears to be. I've run it daily (about 20-30 minutes per day) since replacing the wick and gasket, and this evening smoke output dropped significantly.  I took the unit apart, and this is what I found.  

I added smoke fluid (JT's) before each run and during each run as soon as smoke output slowed down. What did I do wrong? Or is this the normal life expectancy of a wick?

Thanks

John

they do go black like that eventually. I'd have to say you're probably running it dry though. Use more fluid. Don't wait for it to "slow down" smoke production.

I have a fairly large mainline running around the basement. It only lasts a few laps. If we run an engine for an extended time, we have to keep adding fluid.

I still have burned my share of wicks. I use more fluid now, more often. I still have to change wicks every so often. Forget to add, and you can count on the wick getting charred. When you pull the wick, it should be very wet.

Joe, you do realize that the post you're quoting is two and a half years old.  I hope John has sorted out his wick issues by now.

Missed that!

Works for anyone new though.