Coleman Lantern

[Cwpowell]

Hey folks, just bought a coleman lantern off of kijiji, having a bit of trouble with it. just changed the pump and cup on it. i can hear the fuel coming out, but still won't hold pressure for long. it's my first lantern of the sort.

I'm turning the pump 2 turns to the left, holding my thumb over the hole, pumping it up 30-40 times, pushing it in at the last time and turning it back to turns to the right to close. turning the fuel on and lighting it, sometimes it'll light sometimes it won't, if it does it doesn't stay lit for long!

[mdc242]

it may be a dumb thing to mention, but did you check the fuel level?

[Geezle]

Mudbug...paging Mudbug...

[Cwpowell]

Haha... it wasn't one of the first things I checked but it's more than 3 quarters full.

[Mulehahn]

I had a coleman stove with the same issue. I called coleman, and was told to oil the seal. On my stove, there is a small hole by the pump which has access to a felt(?, some sort of fabric) seal inside. A couple of drops of 3 in 1 and fixed.

[recce43]

drop some oil in it then make sure you you close it off till pump handle stops turning

[schmedlap]

I've found that if you take the pump and seal right out, rub the seal all over with vegetable (canola, whatever) oil, and put it back, the effect lasts longer, as does the seal, compared to petroleum oil.

[recce43]

lip balm works great on the leather seal use to do that out in the field

[NW Tradegunner]

Pull out the pump rod and soak the end in mineral oil. I doesn't gum up. Set it back in the lantern. Take off the plug for fueling and replace the washer with a new washer or appropriate O-Ring. Unscrew the pump handle, until free and start pumping! When pumping put two fingers under the pump handle, and your thumb on top. When pulling out the handle, let off on the thumb pressure and when pushing in, add pressure with your thumb. Screw the pump handle back in. Screw it in until tight. Run a lit match in the hole and turn on the gas. It'll sputter for a while until the generator warms up. There's a bent wire loop on the opposite side of the gas knob, usually in the down position. Stick something like a wooden match stick in the loop and spin the loop around and around a few times. That'll clean out the generator. Return the loop to the down position. Einstein said: E=MC squared and there was light!

[last minute]

Originally Posted by Cwpowell

Hey folks, just bought a coleman lantern off of kijiji, having a bit of trouble with it. just changed the pump and cup on it. i can hear the fuel coming out, but still won't hold pressure for long. it's my first lantern of the sort.

I'm turning the pump 2 turns to the left, holding my thumb over the hole, pumping it up 30-40 times, pushing it in at the last time and turning it back to turns to the right to close. turning the fuel on and lighting it, sometimes it'll light sometimes it won't, if it does it doesn't stay lit for long!

I would check to see if the seal around the gas cap is good or not or you could have something blocking the air tube like a spider nest.

[mudbug]

Originally Posted by last minute

I would check to see if the seal around the gas cap is good or not .

Fuel cap seal needs to be replaced by the sounds of it, turn the lantern with the fuel cap on the downward side and start pumping it up, if fuel leaks out your cap seal needs to be replaced. Or just bring it over and I'll get it running for you
I'm in St.Albert I have a wee bit of experience with these

[jungleboy]

If not the fuel cap ,the check valve in the pump is a common issue if the lantern has sat for any length of time

[Cwpowell]

Okay fellas, I bought a replacement cap today when i bought a pump and cup, so I will try it tomorrow. I'm a little gun shy now... that's all I'm going to say!

[harrydude]

Originally Posted by Cwpowell

Okay fellas, I bought a replacement cap today when i bought a pump and cup, so I will try it tomorrow. I'm a little gun shy now... that's all I'm going to say!

I would say play safe,,,,

[jungleboy]

If you replace the cap and the lantern still wont hold pressure ,try this.
After you pressure the lantern remove the pump cup and rod and have a listen in the pump cylinder. if it is leaking in the check valve at the bottom you may hear it. You can also put a bit of soapy water in there and look for bubbles.If it is leaking, sometimes a bit of wd40 and a few taps on the ball with a small hammer and rod , you can sometimes re seat it. These coleman lanterns and stoves are very interesting and really not too hard to master . Be carefull though someday you might turn around and find yourself with 30 or 40 of the crazy things surrounding you. There isn't reall a cure but I am currently in remission. Mudbug on the other hand...[IMG][/IMG]

[Ice Fishing Maniac]

I have a couple Coleman lanterns that have seen some hard miles over the years .....20 plus years and still going strong. A little tlc goes along ways

[greylynx]

Originally Posted by jungleboy

If you replace the cap and the lantern still wont hold pressure ,try this.
After you pressure the lantern remove the pump cup and rod and have a listen in the pump cylinder. if it is leaking in the check valve at the bottom you may hear it. You can also put a bit of soapy water in there and look for bubbles.If it is leaking, sometimes a bit of wd40 and a few taps on the ball with a small hammer and rod , you can sometimes re seat it. These coleman lanterns and stoves are very interesting and really not too hard to master . Be carefull though someday you might turn around and find yourself with 30 or 40 of the crazy things surrounding you. There isn't reall a cure but I am currently in remission. Mudbug on the other hand...[IMG][/IMG]

I am in recovery.


Just looking at that brass Optimus has me developing the shakes.


Mudbug is the man.

[jackrabbit000]

Originally Posted by jungleboy

If you replace the cap and the lantern still wont hold pressure ,try this.
After you pressure the lantern remove the pump cup and rod and have a listen in the pump cylinder. if it is leaking in the check valve at the bottom you may hear it. You can also put a bit of soapy water in there and look for bubbles.If it is leaking, sometimes a bit of wd40 and a few taps on the ball with a small hammer and rod , you can sometimes re seat it. These coleman lanterns and stoves are very interesting and really not too hard to master . Be carefull though someday you might turn around and find yourself with 30 or 40 of the crazy things surrounding you. There isn't reall a cure but I am currently in remission. Mudbug on the other hand...[IMG][/IMG]

If anybody knows how to fix the problem...I'm betting on you jb. Lol

[Grizzly Adams]

Never had that problem since I switched to propane. Do have a nice collection of gas lanterns though, usually about a buck at yard sales, free sometimes even.

Grizz

[jungleboy]

Originally Posted by jackrabbit000

If anybody knows how to fix the problem...I'm betting on you jb. Lol

I've fixed a few but I don't know if I have fixed as may as Mudbug. He has taken a few of my collection home with him and got em going . Most of my Collection is gone now except my stoves . I was getting my old 425 two burner out tonight and gave it a test run for the weekend and it ran perfect as expected . Hard to beat the old naptha coleman stuff. Maintain it and it will make the energizer bunny look hagard and worn. Abuse it and you can still bring it back to life .

[marxman]

if the generator tube is not working the pressure will go down as it burns. does it hold pressure well if you dont light it? you used to be able to buy new generator tubes.

[Lornce]

Originally Posted by jackrabbit000

If anybody knows how to fix the problem...I'm betting on you jb. Lol

The solution is buy more Colemans, feed the wolf

[Nester]

Change the generator


$20 at CT

[Cwpowell]

The 425 two burner works great!

[Knot Rite]

The way to fix it is throw the dang thing away. I grew up with the Coleman stove and lantern and they have always been a maintenance problem. White fuel must be used and washers dry out and mantels and camping is always a problem. Also, not a good ideal to use in a tent. In today's age propane and batteries is the way to go, lot less hazzle.

Bobby

[Grizzly Adams]

Originally Posted by Nester

Change the generator


$20 at CT

If you can find one to fit. Older lanterns are about impossible.

Grizz

[marxman]

Originally Posted by Knot Rite

The way to fix it is throw the dang thing away. I grew up with the Coleman stove and lantern and they have always been a maintenance problem. White fuel must be used and washers dry out and mantels and camping is always a problem. Also, not a good ideal to use in a tent. In today's age propane and batteries is the way to go, lot less hazzle.

Bobby

best answer yet cant say i get all nostalgic over coleman lanterns

[deanmc]

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams

Never had that problem since I switched to propane. Do have a nice collection of gas lanterns though, usually about a buck at yard sales, free sometimes even.

Grizz

But its just not the same. I know they work well but give me a old Coleman any day.

[deanmc]

Originally Posted by Knot Rite

The way to fix it is throw the dang thing away. I grew up with the Coleman stove and lantern and they have always been a maintenance problem. White fuel must be used and washers dry out and mantels and camping is always a problem. Also, not a good ideal to use in a tent. In today's age propane and batteries is the way to go, lot less hazzle.

Bobby

Your a sick sob. lol jk

[Tactical Lever]

Originally Posted by Knot Rite

The way to fix it is throw the dang thing away. I grew up with the Coleman stove and lantern and they have always been a maintenance problem. White fuel must be used and washers dry out and mantels and camping is always a problem. Also, not a good ideal to use in a tent. In today's age propane and batteries is the way to go, lot less hazzle.

Bobby

Bah!