J Miller

Every so often we'll get a member asking about a new to them machine that has a motor that smokes when they start using it.
Me and several others just say, use it, it's just dirty from sitting and the crap will burn off in short order. Well, I've done that with several machines myself and the smoke usually quits in short order.

But ... my purty blue clone is not following the rules. When I first started using it I'd get a puff of smoke out of the motor every time I'd start a new stitch. I oiled it, used a q-tip to clean it out with out disassembling it. It runs too good to want to take it apart. And I figured the smoke would quit in due time.

It hasn't. Last night I set up the machine and made a felt pouch for the foot controller and every time I'd stop, then start sewing again a puff of smoke comes out of the motor. I got a chuckle out of it as it reminded me of an old diesel truck that blew a puff of smoke out of the stacks when you hit the throttle.

I'm gonna try and get a video of the smoke puffs. That should be fun.

Joe

Candace

Sounds like some oil is in it. I'd take it apart and clean it

J Miller

Maybe I'll do what my LSMG said; he squirts lighter fluid in them and runs them ........ Eeeeeeekkkkk!!!!!



Maybe not.

Joe

Lara122

hey! I have been gone too long!! You got a blue clone!! yay!!

Glenn

Although lighter fluid(naptha) is highly flammable. You can squirt it in the motor and let it evaporate for a few minutes then run the machine to get rid of excess oil in the motor. You should have no problems with it. You can also turn the motor by hand to let the lighter fluid clean out the excess oil. It will act as a degreaser.
Skip

J Miller

Lara122,

Since you haven't seen my blue clone, here's a pic of her / him. Haven't decided yet.


Skip,

Hmmmm, I might try that then. I don't really want to take the motor apart to clean it, it does run good.

Joe

kitsykeel

Joe,

What is the name on your machine? I have a Universal that looks just like it. Lovely machine. Hope you get your smoking motor fixed. Never mind, I can read it now, Dressmaker.

J Miller

Kitsy,

It's branded "Dressmaker" on the placard. On top of the arm it's marked "Precision".


As for the smoking motor, I sat down last night and made a cat toy with it. Sewed a bunch of small real fur swatches onto a piece of fabric then made the fabric into a pouch with a velcro closure to hold cat nip. The entire time I sewed, it smoked. I also had to replace the bobbin winder tyre. I wanted to keep it as it matched the color of the machine, but it was too hard and glazed and slipped.
When I went to wind the bobbin it really smoked. I'm thinking it's not gonna quit on it's own unless I make a quilt with it or clean it some how.

Joe

aronel

I think I would do this outdoors only, it doesn't hurt to be careful. JMHO

J Miller

I totally agree with you. I have decided that it can smoke if it wants too. For some silly reason, it doesn't smell like burning anything and it makes me laugh every time I push on the foot controller and see the puff of smoke come out of the motor. Kind of like the little locomotive .... I think I can, I think I can, I think I can ..... I did I did.

Joe