Smoke problem with Lionel Legacy F7

Hmm. You may be missing a gasket. I would open it up one more time and investigate. There is a gasket between the smoke unit and shell, and a gasket between the reservoir and mounting top electrical board.

Either a missing gasket or the smoke funnel is out of place.

I have this A-A set. If you've had either unit apart before you know that there is a large plastic funnel assembly that connects the smoke unit output to the roof stacks. Mine (in the powered unit) came loose at the smoke unit output with the result you describe. You might be able to re-attach it through the removable roof hatch. If the separation is at the roof stacks however (that is the less likely possibility) the body shell needs to come off.

Another possibility is the gasket on the bottom of the roof hatch; once saturated with smoke fluid, the glue that holds it in place can fail and it can slip into the body shell cavity. It's relatively easy to clean up and re-glue if you can find it. 

Thanks to you guys I think the problem is solved. The little spongey black rubber tab on the inside of the roof hatch was gone. I made a little patch out of three thicknesses of electrical tape and stuck it on. Engine no smokes great. Replaced the same on non powered A as the one on there was moving around and I am sure was soon to disappear.

learned important lesson in this process. Don’t use acetone around Lionel trains. Went to clean bogtyom side of roof hatch and paint came right off.

Thanks again for everyone’s help! This Forum is wonderful!

For cleaning, I use Naphtha (lighter fluid) for cleaning, alcohol or acetone will take paint off.  You should also test in a small area with any cleaning product before you use it in painted models.

For the gaskets, I get adhesive foam sheet and cut them out from that.  I HATE black electrical tape for anything on my trains as it turns into a very ugly gooey mess after a few months.  Around the smoke, it'll be even worse!  You can get a 9x12 sheet of adhesive foam from Michaels Hobbies for 99 cents.

Ok John I will get the adhesive phone. Thanks for the tip.

I meant adhesive foam. Sorry!

I thought you were trying to stick a phone inside to direct the smoke, glad you clarified that.

I hate electrical tape

Matt Makens posted:

I hate electrical tape

Yes I much prefer either heat shrink or liquid electrical tape. 

The adhesive foam is a great idea, my GT SD40 is missing the body gasket. Thanks John!