How to Clear a Blocked Air Inlet Tube on a Coleman Lamp, Lantern and Stove
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
- Ever have a blocked air inlet tube in your fount or tank and was unsure what to do? Frank Bebb of the Old Town Coleman Center offers sage advice on how to clear this unusual problem.
Frank is a former Coleman Factory Warranty Center owner, trained at the Coleman Factory in Wichita, Kansas. He brings some of what he learned at "Coleman School" to you in this teaching video. He is a long-time collector and former owner of the #1 selling Coleman parts dealership in the world, and has authored nearly all of the Coleman repair instructions you find on the web today. His "Safety First" instructions with the ominous black widow spider is a real life warning read by thousands. Follow him for all the tips and tricks of the trade he has learned along the way. You can find even more at www.oldtowncoleman.com
😎Looking for gear, find it here! We have more than just t-shirts, check out our wall art and stickers!
oldtowncoleman...
I have a question: If you opened up the lantern/stove the way you did to fill the fount to the top with fuel, could you get the red plastic tube from your can of spray carburetor cleaner in through the top and into the top of the air tube? If there is room you could just blast it with carb cleaner.
Here’s a technique that worked for me. Remove the check valve. Spray carburetor cleaner in the pump tube then position the fount in a manner that will allow the cleaner to be in contact with the bottom of the vent tube. Let it soak for a day or two. Using an air compressor, take a rag and seal the nozzle in the pump tube and blow into the tube. Be sure to have the filler cap off when using the compressed air. Of course you'll need to clean any gunk that came out of the vent tube from your fount.
Vinegar is great at removing rust and crud
Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
You are very welcome sir.
Thanks for the tip Frank. I tried the vinegar and it only took 2 days to work
Rolando!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I had this problem once. My remedy was a little different after I completely disassembled the fount I was able to reach the stand pipe thru the top with a curved pick and carefully bend it towards the stem hole just enough to pass a fine wire in clearing obstruction then move it back
Andy you got that to work? Wow! That is amazing. I did try stuffing flower wire in there but the lack of visibility and tight space made me lose interest almost immediately!
Yep. I have cleared two this same way. It's quick, simple, and takes about a half-hour. Just rinse well after it's cleared, to get any loose junk was broken loose out of the system, and you're in business. Not difficult at all.
Thanks for sharing Frank, I had this problem before and the way I fixed it was to fill the pump tube with vinegar and put it up side down to make sure the vinegar is down there, and it was cleared in a couple of days. My country is too hot :)
That works too!
Did you have to remove the fuel cap when you were doing that?
Did you remove the fuel cap while doing that?
I was able to clear mine by filling the pump tube all the way to the top with transmission fluid, then I took a large wooden dowel with a piece of leather on the end, and lightly tapped it down into the pump tube with a rubber mallet…..forcing the transmission fluid through the air tube.
Remove the check valve first.
Nice solution
I have heard of this happening to a friend people but I've been lucky so far and it hasn't happened to me yet.
Thanks for the tip.
God bless
Appreciate the tip Frank. As always, great info share and the hobby is forever in debt to those like you! Keep the videos coming Sir! Best from MN!
Thank you Johnny!
Great tip and helped me clean partially blocked air inlet on recently acquired 975D cabin stove here in Canada. I did not need to fill completely though as i had to remove the fuel gauge/level indicator which is close to where the check valve and air inlet are for the huge one gallon tank. I stood the tank on end and filled up to the gauge opening and let sit in the sun in the afternoon and overnight. While waiting i repaired the gauge, changed the worn out pump leather and cleaned the fuel valve assembly and generator.
It now runs like a champ after emptying the tank and reassembling and using lighting instructions from Franks website for the model 375 stove. The 975D stove made in Toronto has an integral pump but access to check valve is difficult with the pump stem being a foot long.
Thanks Frank. I just picked up a lantern and it seems to have a partially blocked tube. While on the pumping stroke most of the air blows back through the oiling hole and its hard to pump. After around 80 pumps i can get the lantern lit but it has little pressure. The check valve is fine and seals. And the pump leather is new and oiled well. I will try this technique and see how it goes. Thanks again
I think I have this problem with a 550 Exponent. It sat for many years with fuel and now it seems to pump up normally, (maybe a bit stiff) but only generates a tiny bit of pressure in the tank. I'll try the gas treatment.
Update: Nah, it was just a leak after all. I should have checked closer.
You saved my bacon again Frank! I'll have to jump over to your website and buy you a few cups of coffee, thank you sir!
Hi ! una forma muy eficiente de destapar el tubo de pasaje de aire es por medio de un cable o alambre de acero. Para poder hacerlo hay que mover levemente el tubo de aire, por medio de un alambre grueso en forma de gancho, hacia el centro del tanque pudiendo , de esta maner, ver el orificio del tubo por el que se podrá pasar el cable para destaparlo. Es una operación muy sencilla y sumamente eficiente. Saludos desde Argentina
Hasn't had this problem yet but will now know what to do just in case. One question- how do you store your lamps and stoves that are not used on a regular basis so there is no corrosion, gumming, etc. Thanks Frank for all you do.
Hi Bill, you are very welcome. So if you are going to store long-term, drain the gas and allow the lantern/stove to air out until dry. To avoid the problem this video was about, just pump it once or twice to ensure that tube is clear. Loosely reinstall the fuel cap and put her away. If it is going to be an emergency lantern, set a reminder to move it once in awhile--like once a month. Shake it to get the water moving inside so it doesn't cause damage. I like to fire my emergency 220E (the one I used in the how long will it last video) once every month or two just to ensure it will light when I need it. I had the same tank of fuel in it for over 10 years before that video and it was just fine. Thanks again and talk soon, Frank
Nice movie. The cut open fuel tank shows exactly how it works. The air tube ending above the liquid level is a nice safety feature. Only air can leak out and no fuel. With old Enders burners I had fuel leaking out of the pump a few time. Needless to say that that is super dangerous.
Yeah, I didn't know Coleman did this. I had an old primus no. 1 and the valve failed on me which started pushing out kerosene out the pump. Thank god kerosene isn't gasoline flammable.
Good stuff, was able to use this tip to bring my AGM Kooklite back to life. Would recommend trying if you've got similar symptoms, thanks Frank!
Thanks I got mine fixed with a piece of wire
Hi Frank, hope this is helpful… I use my vacuum pump occasionally for cleaning.it’s like reverse clearing if you think about it. Careful not to collapse the tank. Nz
I had this happen to me as well. I saw another video where he recommended hitting the top of the pump plunger with a rubber mallet (i remover the check valve first). Seems like a bad idea but it worked for me...
hello my friend, thanks for your tips. Now I also have a question, I have a Coleman 523 cooker, unfortunately there is black rust or gummed-up impurities in the tank. what is the best way to clean the tank? thanks in advance, from Germany.
Very helpful ideas.
# one to like this brother it's about time ain't seen a new video from you in , what one or two DAYS ? Keep up the good work Brother Frank from montana...
Frank lol! Hope your fires aren't as bad as they are here...
@@OldTownColeman Frank they are really bad I'm in Billings . it's Sunday night. . well Friday night it looked like it was snowing here. This sucks . today it was 107. Degrees at my house.. Frank STAY SAFE YOU AND ALL YOUR FAMILY...take care brother.. Talk soon ...
I've always been interested in Coleman stoves and lanterns. However, when a problem comes up, I'm on ignorant on how to fix it. (Ignorant doesn't mean you're stupid, you just haven't learned it yet) watching your videos I feel far less ignorant. 🙂
i like the way You think !! I myself is on the ignorant side , when it comes to Coleman products , but as they say an Old Dog is never too old to learn & i am learning , no success just yet , but givin her hell !!All these Good Videos are a blessing , Thanks Frank !!
@@jamesconn1104 I am trying my darndest to fix 2 lanterns and it is giving me fits. One of them is a 1978 model that hasn't been used in probably 30 years. I cannot get the check valve out. Just a wimpy female. I am not going to pay $82 for that special tool. At least not yet. I'm not giving up yet. I have them both disassembled. Learning.
I followed your tutorial and it worked :)!!
AWESOME!!! HooHoo!!!!
Wow....haven't even thought about this scenario. When I get into that 415D, 1947 two burner I wrote you about, anything is possible I guess.....lol.
Kevin I hope you don't have to deal with it...it is a pain. How goes the hunt for a handle?
@@OldTownColeman Waiting to go back and work that estate sale and see what kind of handle that other old stove has. It could be my donor.
Hello, I have enjoyed watching your videos. Thank-you.
I really need help! I have three coleman stoves with a fourth other way.
My 2nd 424 Dual Fuel camp stove is giving me the same problem as the last and the powerhouse I have.
After about 2 years of constant use the generator fails. Which I have managed to remove and clean. My bigger problem is the valve wheel all of a sudden has almost no adjustment except on and off.
Could you please help.
Thanks for an excellent tutorial Frank. I'm trying to remove the carbon stuck spring in my coleman dual fuel generator; so that I can mechanically clean it with a wire wheel. Would appreciate your guidance, as I cook with it everyday as my only kitchen cooking device. I clean the inside diameter with a coat hanger rod, but need to clean all parts of the spring and inside of tube to make it operate well. In gratitude from New Rochelle N.Y. Bruce
Bruce, your spring is stuck on the inside of the tube? Not a problem, we can get it out and working again. Please email me at info@oldtowncoleman.com and we'll get on it.
I e-mailed you 2 weeks ago, but still waiting for a reply about the stuck stove generator spring. Thank you.
Would a can (not spray can) of carburetor cleaner work better? It is designed to clear gummed up passages in carbs. So it should work faster and safer than gasoline. Napa auto parts usually has it in a quart size can
Hello Frank,
Just got a Coleman 400. It works great but the flame never gets pure blue (orange but hot.) Boils very cold water in 6 minutes. Any ideas as to how I can get a bluer flame? Also, any ideas or leads for a new generator for this stove? Thanks, love the videos!
Love the hair! Been growing mine out for the last 5 years and it looks like your catching up to me. I picked up 2 Coleman 1967 US military lanterns at the flea market but can't seem to find a video on how to restore them. Will you make one? I recently got the Coleman Lantern collecting bug and now I'm up to 7 of them. Thanks
Hey long-hair brother! My hair goes unusually fast, which I can thank both my mother and father for. God was my barber about 2 years ago (chemotherapy) so I'm just gonna let it fly now. A milspec lantern rebuild video is in the works, along with many others so I'm not sure when I'll get to it. I do have the lantern so I'm ready to go. They are my least favorite lantern, for a reason... If you need help just email me at info@oldtowncoleman.com.
@@OldTownColeman glad to hear you're done with the chemo! Let me guess... You don't like the mil spec lantern because of the NOISE? My wife hates ours. Lol
Instead of vinegar or naval jelly what are your thoughts on rust removers such as evaporust? I've had great success with them on other projects and I have a spare tank for a 425 stove that has quite a bit of rust inside but it is still in decent shape. I'm thinking of removing the check valve and filling the tank completely and letting it do it's thing. I figure this should also clean out the air tube quite well.
Hey boring old white guy, great question. I have been collecting recommendations and cleaners to do a future video on that very issue. Evaporust is one product that is standing-by in my shop already!
I have a similar situation. When I take out the square needle with the sharp.tip that screws into the check valve I get perfect air into the tank and out the top. But as crew the square needle back it just blocks up.
Any advice please 🙏
Also,
#1 can I use black vinegar or only white vinegar?
#2 Can I use a mixture of gasoline and vinegar?
I screwed off the valve/fuell regulator on top of the tank and shone light into the tank and could see the vertical tube is dirty and rusty.
Thanks in advance
Ben
Hola.me pasa lo.mismo.le puse vinagre y no ha soltado la obstruccion..ayer volvi a llenar el deposito con vinagre.lo dejare unos dias...a ver si funciona...es un 533.saludos
Is there a way to test and see if stopped up
The works toilet bowl cleaner will also work to clean air tube.,but then flush with gasoline..prop tank up.pour full and let set.alot faster ,only took 24 hours.muratic acid is also good.but must use anti rust product or gasoline to cure rust or it will reclog up.good luck
Thanks Frank. Would acetone work too?
Rolando I am sure it would but I'm not sure of the efficiency it would have. If you try it please let us know how it goes.
Thanks Frank, do you think vinegar would work better?
I know you asked Frank but: if the blockage is gummed fuel....gas would work better. if the blockage is rust, vinigar would work better as the acid desolves the rust blockage. the problem being, there is no way to tell what the blockage is. so start with gas soak and mocve to vinager if that gas didn't do the trick.
Jon I'm going to agree with crabtrap. Of the 5 lanterns I mentioned, only the last one remained blocked using gasoline. It is quite possible that there was a rust component in there and the vinegar did its job on it. I'd recommend starting with gasoline because vinegar can be quite corrosive to metal if left for too long.
Can a dual mantel lantern be converted to a single Mantel?
Si, se tapona una chimenea con un taco de aluminio, o se usa pael de aluminio
Thanks for this info. I have a 66 Mil Spec with this problem and will try this method. Do I use camp fuel or regular old gasoline?
I saw the tool on eBay but was unsure about putting pressure in the tube for fear of rupturing the tube.
Thanks for the comment Randy. I use regular gasoline because I know there are a lot of detergents in it, and that is what I am after. I suspect camping fuel would also work. I would assume that if the blockage was not too thick, the tool would push it clear. But a really heavily blocked tube may just laugh at it. I'm not sure, I have not seen the tool in person...
I got to keep pumping my lanter to get it to go bright then after a min it dim please 🙏 help
you have a pressure leak most likely. Check the seal on the fuel filler cap. Then do the test of the check valve as has been shown on this channel before. Somewhere the pressure is escaping
I'm certainly not an Expert like Frank is, but you can't build pressure in a sealed vessel that is completely full of any liquid. Liquids aren't compressable. An air space is required to achive any build up of pressure in a sealed vessel.
I think a better idea would be to fill the fount with a solvent but leave some air space in the tank and let it sit upside down to build some pressure. Experimentation as to how much air space to leave is necessary.
I have heard never pump a new to you lantern as you might push pieces of pump leather into that tube.
I've never heard that before but that doesn't mean it isn't good advice. It certainly would be possible to push a small chunk of leather into it, but it would lodge in the check valve. Thanks for the tip!
Frank who can I get in touch with about be coming a licensed repair clinic their are none in western pa where in live the closest on is over in Ohio
Im not positive but i have been told there are no longer any regional AUTHORIZED warranty centers anymore all warranty work goes back to the factory in Wichita Kansas.
I agree with Daniel, Tim. I do not believe that Coleman supports a "remote" warranty service center program any longer. I think all repairs go to Wichita now, which is pretty sad.
@@danduhman888 Thank you it is truly sad that it has to be that way
@@OldTownColeman Thank you it is truly sad that it has to be that way
I think you are Alice coopers brother, his (cool) brother lol.
Alice Cooper--I miss saying "I'm 18"...he is awesome. Have heard George Harrison and Frank Zappa but Alice Cooper's brother is a first!
🦔
Throw it in an ultrasonic cleaner maybe. Just an idea.
Have you ever put anything in that tank that has paint on it? Would it remove it? Or nickel plate? A great idea but not sure what it would do to the finish.
@@OldTownColeman I use my ultrasonic machine a lot for my GPA addiction. An ultrasonic machine will pull paint off of the fount, but it will not harm the nickel at all.
First comment!
Yer fast!!!