No smoke from LionChief Plus Pacific

I've got the same issue with an LC+ Erie Camelback that used to smoke nicely but lost it.

Looking forward to hearing what those knowledgeable will say regarding this issue.

Arnold

Can you hear the fan?  If not, if you blow down the stack, does smoke come out anywhere?

I will typically pop the top and check the wick in the smoke unit. All it takes is one time to inadvertently leave the smoke on, with no fluid, to make a wick crispy. Good Luck gents.

I have had a couple of new engines that didn't smoke when I added the initial smoke fluid.  I kept adding in about 10 drop increments until I had probably 40 drops in and they started to smoke fine.  I don't want to suggest your doing this if there are other mechanical issues with your smoke unit, but my LionChief Hudson smokes great and I did add a lot more smoke fluid than recommended to get the wick wet enough to smoke properly.  Just add in small increments and occasionally turn the engine upside down.  If fluid doesn't run out, you are not overfilling the smoke unit.  If this doesn't do it, there are other problems such as with the fan motor.  If the heating element works, you should get some smoke wisping out.  I hope you can get it working o.k.

Another thing I forgot to mention.  If your LionChief Plus Pacific is similar to my Hudson, I have to make several loops around my layout before it starts to smoke.  It then smokes great.  Seems that it takes a while for the heating element to get hot.  Run yours for a few minutes to see if it starts to smoke.  If it does, it should be fine.  It will act the same on each startup if allowed to cool down.

I agree that 4 drops may not be enough, I'd add more.

I think, as others, it's starving for fluid.  4 seems a bit minimal.

It sounds like it's a fluid issue, but one other thing with LC+ steamers and smoke. Make sure you are running it at the prescribed 18V. I have one of the first run of LC+ steamers and found I got best smoke performance with voltage up.