I purchased the WP in November. Out of the box there was very noticeable smoke. A short time later, none. Added smoke fluid with no results. I sent it in for repair.
Returned, and occasionally if you are looking just right there is a haze. I think this may have been discussed before. Is there anything I should try before returning again?
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On my Legacy SD80, I bent the element down a little bit so it would actually sit in the wicking and the fluid. It definitely works a lot better and isn't hard to do. You just pull the top off the smoke unit and the element is underneath, just bend it down a little bit (you'll see what I mean) and maybe fluff up the wicking material a bit. Just be sure you don't block the fan hole. I also soaked the wicking in fluid while I had it open to prime it.
I assume that you've got fluid in the unit. I usually put 20 drops in my GP and it could probably accept more.
You can pry off the plastic top section of roof that has the two smoke stacks.
That then exposes the internal black plastic funnel and smoke unit beneath. The foam gasket that is glued to the underside of the removable roof tends to come "unglued" due to the oily smoke fluid. It may have slid around and shifted and is actually blocking the stacks. I cut a fresh one from some black craft foam sheets from Hobby Lobby.
While you have it open, you can look inside the smoke unit itself as SF158 mentioned to see if the batting is charred.
I had a loco into Lionel for repair and it was apparently left on the test track without enough fluid and it came back with badly charred batting.
Also, blow down the unit to make sure that an air bubble hasn't formed in the unit or the funnel. It happens and can cut smoke off completely.
I have not worked on a new engine, but am willing to. Pry, pull the top off.
should I be able to do this by hand?
You mean GP-7 right? I'm guessing you aren't getting enough fluid down into the unit itself, the fluid gets trapped in the outlet "funnel". Check out this help page from MartyE http://www.martye.com/TipsandTricks/TipsandTrick4.htm
I gave up on the gasket ... it moved around, leaked, and was a mess. I glued the plastic funnel to the underside of the removable roof section. First clean off the smoke fluid residue from all surfaces. Use mineral spirits or something similar. I used epoxy glue to fasten the funnel to the roof section, applying epoxy around the edges where I could, to create a good seal. Then I used a high-temp gasket-making "caulk" (can purchase at auto parts stores) to further seal the edges where necessary. It's not a neat job, but it doesn't have to be.
While you're there, open the smoke unit, replace batting as needed (using tiki-torch wicking) and arrange it for good contact with the element, but allowing for air flow.
When I need to add smoke fluid, I gently lift the roof section, and now the entire assembly comes off. The fluid is then added directly into the smoke unit, and the roof/funnel assembly is pressed back into place. I don't have to worry about the smoke fluid finding its way down the funnel and into the batting.
Here are pictures, along with the results.
Thank you to all.
I now know:
A firm pull will remove the top.
What the funnel is.
What and where the wick is.
And best of all, it smokes.
Thanks
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