N&W Y6b #2200 smoke question

You most likely know the two most common problems, you have too little fluid in the smoke unit or you have too much fluid in the smoke unit! The third most common problem is with the wick and it is possible you will need to replace that.
I looked at the description of your engine in the 2003 vol 2 catalog and they were touting how great the smoke generator is: "Just like the prototype, the synchronized chuffing of our model reproduces the unique shift from 'simple' to 'compound' as the locomotive gains speed. Another Lionel first, an all-new smoke system synchronizes smoke output, sound and motion. As the Y6b battles a tough grade, watch the valve gear pound, hear the labored chuff, see the smoke skyrocket forth."
So, before you try replacing the wick, I will tell you what I do with my steam engines that are only a couple of years old. This probably won't help in your engine, but it is so easy that you can try it without much effort. I place only four drops of smoke fluid in the smokestack, cover the smokestack with a small piece of plastic such as a guitar pick, and I let the engine sit for 24 hours. I then remove the plastic, put in only four more drops of fluid in the smokestack and run the engine for several minutes. If the wick is still not saturated and I am not seeing adequate amounts of smoke, I repeat the process once or twice more over the next several days.
If you do not feel comfortable replacing the wick, it might be a good idea to take it to a repair shop just in case there is a more serious problem with the smoke unit.

usually when the smoke units don't smoke very much as he said the most common problem is the smoke wick needs to be replaced because who ever had it last ran it DRY the smoke wick is black and charred, the only resolution is replace the wick and usually smoke response will be great again!

Alan

Thanks Alan and John! The engine was brand new, in fact it had never been taken out of  the actual box itself. I have put smoke fluid in different amounts, but when first starting it up, after I lubricated it, the output just wasn't there. Now I know I waited before turning on the smoke unit, but it might be I didn't wait long enough for the wick to saturate, and as you say charred the wick. The catalog made it sound like it is a real smoker, so we shall see.

Let us know what you come up with, please. 🙂 It seems smoke issues come up fairly frequently, so the more data we have, the better.

Mark in Oregon 🎄

It will likely take more smoke fluid than you imagine for a truly dry smoke unit.  When I'm rebuilding these and replacing the smoke wick, I use to droppers of MegaSteam about 2/3 full to soak the dry wick to start.  The screws holding the smoke resistor can also work loose, especially with something that's been sitting around for fifteen years in a box.  This will create a high resistance joint and cause the smoke output to be greatly diminished.  Finally, the track voltage can affect the smoke output, make sure you have close to 18V on the track.

Another fairly common issue is the smoke regulators, these are notorious for failing.

Thanks John:

That's a new one to me, what is a smoke regulator? I assume that picture is showing one.  I have put a number of drops, over time, as I have been running this engine for a few months. Just that nothing seems to increase output. Mega steam or Lionel smoke fluid.

It's possible you'd have to open it up to evaluate the condition of the smoke unit.  If the screws are loose, you'll never get good smoke, for instance.

I'd open it up, replace the wick, check the smoke unit screws,  and the resistance of the smoke resistor.  If all is good, then thoroughly saturate the smoke wick and reassemble the smoke unit.

Here's the instructions for setting the smoke volume, give that a try.

To adjust the smoke output, bring the locomotive to a stop, press AUX1, AUX2, 9, then press L for low smoke, M for medium smoke, or H for high smoke. Press AUX2 again to complete the setting.

Your locomotive will remember its new setting until you change it again.

In the conventional environment, smoke output is always at the medium level. Smoke output is not variable in the conventional environment.

Adjusting the variable smoke unit output using the L, M, or H buttons will also effect the locomotives momentum setting. After changing the smoke unit output, simply reset the momentum to your preferred setting by pressing the L, M, or H button once again.

OK, I'll try this idea too. Thanks.

Tried this method out on my TMCC, but no luck. Guess it will be time to try and open up the engine, but probably not until after Christmas. Then to look for the parts I need. Thanks for all your suggestions.

jeff