After two days of screaming, the smoke fan failed in the unpowered A of my Lionel UP E9's. I wonder A if Lionel will really be ready for repairs on aug 1 and B how big the backlog will be.
Amazing ng to me how much trouble I have had with these. The scream of a dying fan motor is way too commonplace.
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For some reason, Lionel has always had problems with smoke unit fan motors. Back around 10-15 years ago, the subcontractor they got the motors from didn't bother to make sure the red wire went to the positive terminal and the black to negative, so half of Lionel's smoke unit fans ran backwards. It got so bad that one of the magazines ran a two-page photo article on how to fix it. I fixed a dozen or so. More recently, they have had an enormous number of warranty claims for Legacy fan motors. The Legacy USRA Light Mikados appear to have gotten a bad batch of motors; there were numerous threads on this forum about motor failures on those particular engines. My Mikado was among them; it's been fine since I got it back.
I just had my first MTH fan motor failure in the 40 or so MTH engines I own that have smoke. I've had at least a dozen fan motor problems (including backwards running and motor failures) with half the number of Lionel engines.
That's why I always run my diesels with the smoke units switched "off."
Why run something to the point of destruction??
"Why run something to the point of destruction??"
because they won't fix it until it fails.
For a smoke fan motor, I'd be sorely tempted to just replace it, the shipping back to Lionel will cost a lot more than the motor. I use MTH motors in the Legacy stuff if the Lionel motor fails, never gotten one back with the MTH motor in it.
It's not a difficult replacement.
I know gunrunner, but I was told in no uncertain terms that taking the shell off would void the warranty. Don't want to risk that.
I agree - just turn them off not worth the head aches.
I know gunrunner, but I was told in no uncertain terms that taking the shell off would void the warranty. Don't want to risk that.
True, but if you don't strip every screw out or mangle the wires they would be hard pressed to know that you were in there.
On the other hand, all smoke units will need maintenance at some point and how often depends on how much you use them.
The wicking does not last forever eventually charring and getting hard resulting in poor smoke output. If you use the smoke every time you run your trains, and run trains a few times a week, I think one could replace the wicking on a yearly basis if not more frequently. More often if you run on the higher setting.
I have decided to get "aquainted" with all of my smoke units, and do my own necessary maintenance, or repairs, as needed
I know that taking the shell off in all cases can't void the warranty, there are a lot of locomotives you still have to take the shell off to install or change the battery.
Exactly who told you "in no uncertain terms" that taking the shell off would void the warranty?
Most diesels have gotten away from having to remove the shell, not so for many steamers.
The first three Legacy steamers I have in my manual folder all require you to remove the tender shell to install the battery.
Lionel 6-11117 Legacy Atlantic 4-4-2
Lionel 6-11156 Legacy C&O 4-6-0
Lionel 6-11327 Legacy K4 Pacific
Taking off the shell does not void any warranty. Changing a smoke fan motor is as easy as it gets. Yes, you will hear people complain it is under warranty and Lionel should have to do it. Take a few minutes out of your life and get it done. I have been using the MTH motor for years. They also go in time. If you are going to run trains, you should do this job yourself and get out cheaper than the cost of shipping like John pointed out.
If you have more than a few locomotives, keep a supply of motors and wicking on hand. This is a better idea than putting your locomotive into the UPS or USPS system.
Your Lionel unpowered engine is very easy to do. You could spend as much as five minutes doing the job.
I get stuff shipped for repairs regularly. I've had to repair shipping damage in addition to the original problem on quite a few of them. I'd much rather take the shell off and fix it than trust it to shipping services. 
If you have no choice but to ship it, I can only recommend you pack it securely. If you shake the box and ANYTHING moves, it's not packed correctly!
Sometimes it's not always the smoke unit.
FWIW, I have a Legacy GP9 that flat refused to make smoke. If your case is the same as mine it's because the funnel isn't feeding smoke to the unit. If you arer interested I can walk you how I got mine to work.
As I understand it (and I am NO expert), even if the the smoke unit is set to off with the CAB2 remote in a Legacy engine, a small amount of voltage is still being applied to the heating element. Is that correct? If that is true then with the smoke output set to off can you still char the batting in the smoke unit? Thanks for clarifying.
I have never ordered MTH parts. I am interested in using MTH fans. Can someone point me in the right direction? Do you go directly to MTH or does boxcar bill sell them?
thanks!
"Why run something to the point of destruction??"
because they won't fix it until it fails.
Well if it's been screaming for the last 2 days isn't it failing?
The motor squealing is certainly the primary issue. While it's true there may be other issues, you have to fix that one for sure.
As I understand it (and I am NO expert), even if the the smoke unit is set to off with the CAB2 remote in a Legacy engine, a small amount of voltage is still being applied to the heating element. Is that correct? If that is true then with the smoke output set to off can you still char the batting in the smoke unit? Thanks for clarifying.
No untrue, as long as the smoke unit is shut OFF either with the switch under the loco or by the remote the resistor does not heat up.
On some "first generation" legacy steamers and some TMCC steamers the fan may come on when the smoke unit is off, but the resistor remains cold.
Cheer up Forrest...
CUSTOMER SERVICE FACILITY UPDATE FROM LIONEL PRESIDENT HOWARD HITCHCOCK
CONCORD, NC (July 18, 2014) – I am pleased to announce that Lionel has almost completed the relocation of its Customer Service Facility from Canfield, OH to Concord, NC. As we are nearing the end of this transition, I'd like to thank all of our customers, dealers and service stations for their patience. Under the leadership of Lionel Customer Service Manager Phil Hull, our team has done an exceptional job of handling a mammoth task. Thanks to Phil and his team, the move was seamless and is taking place ahead of schedule. My kudos to Phil on a job well done. In addition to Phil, we are fortunate that many of our Ohio staff members have moved with us to North Carolina. While we found it necessary to update some processes and bring in several new team members, you can rest assured that all members of the team are dedicated to providing the superior level of customer service which the industry has come to expect from Lionel. I am also pleased to announce the opening dates for parts ordering and RAs (Return Authorizations): • Service station parts ordering and in-warranty RAs will open Monday, July 21, 2014. • Dealer parts ordering will open Monday, July 28, 2014. • The CustomerServiceCenter will be fully open to all parts orders and RAs on Friday, August 1, 2014. Again, I speak for all of Lionel when I say thank you for your understanding during this transition. We sincerely appreciate your support.
Gunrunnerjohn do you have the MTH part # for the replacement Lionel fan motor ?
and the smoke wadding part #
I had no luck finding it on MTH's web site...I want to have a couple spares as my DD35A is starting to sound loud....
thanks.
The smoke motor is: BE-0000041
The wick is: AA-0000001
Many thanks... I need to order some.
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