Hi, I have a new-to-me set of AA F3 diesels, Lionel 6-34630 (Pwrd and Non-Pwrd). I am using Legacy CAB2 and a PH180.
When I received these engines, they didn't smoke. I popped the shells and removed the tops of each smoke unit. I pulled the impellers and placed a drop of Labelle's 107 on each spindle bushing. I added plenty of Lionel smoke fluid and replaced the covers. That seemed to do the trick with the non-powered A unit but the lead powered A still smokes intermittently.
Sometimes when I turn on the layout it will smoke but usually not. It seems to be a fan/impeller issue.
I tested by taking the cover off the smoke unit again (in the powered A), I hit smoke on the CAB2, if the impeller doesn't start, I can see it wobble a bit like it wants to start. If I just touch the impeller, it will start. However, it seems to require a manual shove. Simply using the CAB2 smoke on/off never gets it going.
Another test I tried: once the smoke units were both going, I tried running the engines for 10 minutes with the smoke on just to make certain that the lube had a chance to work into the spindle bushing. That didn't work. As soon as I turned off the smoke, the lead A fan stopped working again. Can anyone give me some advice or suggestions? Thanks for your help.
