Has anyone experienced smoke fluid leaking out when they flip the locomotive over for routine maintenance and is there a way to avoid this? I'm not talking about puddles but even small amounts tend to spread like any oil. I try not to run my locomotive smoke units down until there's no smoke output to avoid damaging the unit.
Thanks,
Joe
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Just put a rag under it, that's what I do. Yes, if there's enough fluid in the engine, it'll come out when it's upside down! 
Hi John,
Does it make sense to plug up the stack with a little tissue or paper towel before flipping it over? If the fluid does leak into the boiler and onto the electronics, which it has, is it best to clean it up and with what? I know this can't be good but there's got to be a better way to avoid this. This is the third time in I guess 10 years and each have been a Lionel locomotive. It's never happened with my MTH for some reason. Maybe the batting that MTH uses absorbes better? Don't get me wrong, I'm not putting down Lionel's products, it's just been my experience.
By the way, the N&W J with your super-chuffer is running excellently and smoking up a storm! Very happy customer.
Joe
Joe,
I clean up smoke fluid with 99% Isopropyl Alcohol. It doesn't hurt the boards, but it can affect some paints. Another even safer alternative is naphtha, aka lighter fluid. That normally doesn't affect paints.
I use a little piece of rag for the stack, it's less likely to leave anything behind when I pull it out.
I love happy customers, glad the Super-Chuffer is working well for you. 
I do that usually if I need to ship one for repair or sell. What about clean-up, is electronic contact cleaner (TV tunner cleaner) ok?
It should work, don't know about paint if you get it on the paint.
You're going to laugh, but it wouldn't be the first time I've taken out the screws with the engine right side up.
You of course have to know pretty well where the screws you need to extract are.
I've either done this by carefully holding the engine halfway off the edge of a table(one end at a time), or for smaller engines (I doubt I could do this with an articulated! ) I could lay on my back on the floor and hold the engine above me while removing the screws.
Not a pretty site. . It may be easier to clean up the smoke fluid for most people.
-Dave
That actually dosen't sound so crazy, awkward if nothing else.
I put a paper towel under the engine usually if the smoke unit is not working, I stuff a piece of Paper towel down the stack of my 19th Century Ten Wheeler so it does not get the engine wet with smoke fluid.
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