Won't light

[Zipper]

200A Lantern won't light.

Can hear the gas coming out....font holding pressure....can see the mantle getting gas to it....mantle won't catch

What am I doing wrong?

[zoomkat]

Is the "gas" possibly water?

[Zipper]

never thought of that..........

[macwacs]

First thing I thought of.
RMW

[Zipper]

any other ideas?

[D421]

200A Lantern won't light.

Can hear the gas coming out....font holding pressure....can see the mantle getting gas to it....mantle won't catch

What am I doing wrong?

Tell us more about seeing the mantles getting gas.

[Zipper]

can see the mantle move when i open valve, even blows the flame of the lighter. no gas getting through? just air?

[Stovie]

How old is the fuel in the tank? Coleman always suggested dumping out old fuel, and swishing the tank out with clean, fresh fuel. It will last pretty much forever, but that only applies to Coleman fuel, or Naptha. Is it possible someone installed automotive gasoline in there? Kerosene? Alcohol? Just a thought...

[D421]

can see the mantle move when i open valve, even blows the flame of the lighter. no gas getting through? just air?

Ah!!! When you open the valve 1/4 turn or less you should get air. After some time 30 seconds, 45 seconds or even longer you should hear a spitting of gas. When you hear this the lantern will light.

There are things that can keep the fuel from getting to the generator but for now try this. Check to see if indeed you have coleman fuel in the fount. Of you are not sure dump it and put fresh coleman of crown in. Make sure to fill at least half full, 3/4 or full is best. Open the valve 1/4 turn and wait to hear the gas.

[zoomkat]

"can see the mantle move when i open valve, even blows the flame of the lighter. no gas getting through? just air?"

If the tank is not full of fuel, then fill it up and try lighting it again. The standard fuel valve 1/4 turn open lantern start assumes a full tank of fuel.

[Zipper]

i purchased lantern online...tank was empty.....i added crown white gas....i would say its a bit over half full. i will drain, make sure its free of any junk, re fill and try again....stand by....thanks

[Majicwrench]

Spin tip cleaner a bunch, wait a good 30 seconds or longer. Should go "hissssssssss(istert lost of hisses here)sssssssptspt spt" that is the time to light it. And add a reasonable amount of fuel. And spin tip cleaner some more.

[Stovie]

Should go "hissssssssss (insert loss of hisses here) sssssssptspt spt" that is the time to light it.

Yes! Precise technical description.

[SteveRetherford]

sounding like a clogged up fuel and air assembly , only air no gas is coming up ..... typically need to tear it down fix that .

[Leviticus_Tomethreus]

Ahhh yes. The hhsss sppttt spt. Then I’d recommend preheating it with a propane or butane torch.

[gwillmot]

I think Steve has the correct diagnosis on this one. Preheating a generator with a clogged F/A tube won't do anything ..... except to have hot air come out

[SteveRetherford]

see if when you open the valve fully if it gets fuel ?

[zoomkat]

I recommend that "thorough trouble shooting" of the issue should be performed prior to suggesting disassembly of the lantern.

[Tgarner01]

Outlaw went to a lot of work for questions such as this..

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=18568

[Zipper]

new fuel and air stem and generator still no spitting after the hissing

[zoomkat]

"new fuel and air stem and generator still no spitting after the hissing"

As a fuel control rod function test, fully open the fuel control valve and see if you eventually get some raw fuel out of the generator, or if only air continues to come out of the generator.

[D421]

Outlaw went to a lot of work for questions such as this..

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=18568

As Toby said. Pull up the diagnostic post. Go through it line by line. Pretty much everything you need to know is there.

[hikerduane]

Time to get your hands dirty, this model is real easy to work on. Sometimes after cleaning the F/A tube may still take time for fuel to get to the genny. A full fount helps.
Duane

[TSPORT]

I read through all of Zipper’s old posts, don’t see a response anywhere confirming fuel coming out when open valve all the way. Easy enough to pull generator off and crack valve open for a bit to see if fuel spurts out from valve (careful to have eye protection and be ready to shut quick, won’t take long for fuel to come out of a pressurized fount if all clear in the f/a tube. If you’re seeing fuel doing this, you likely have blockage in the generator or plumbing north of there.

[Tgarner01]

Zipper if you've got a small touch try heating the generator for 5-10 seconds then open your valve all the way open while holding the flame to the mantle.

[JLo]

I had that issue with a 200 - turned out the F/A tube was leaking where it joins the larger section that threads into the valve. That resulted in airflow but no fuel. Resoldered that joint and it runs like a champ.

[Billdog37]

Make sure the burner tube is clear.

[Zipper]

Got it! .let it sit for a bit...shook it......heated the gen for a bit.......opened valve all the way.......got it to spit......got it to light.
thanks for everyone's help....sorry, im a rookie....all i've had to draw on is watching my dad light his coleman lanterns and stoves as a kid.....always scared the crap out of me....now, im interested......i've re built two now!........thanks for your help and patience!!

[D421]

Good job Rusty. Don't apologize. Now try it with 1/4 Turn to confirm it working correctly. How about a picture?

[SteveRetherford]

its not fixed , you just figured out a way to make it light despite its problems , with a pre heat n fully opened valve . thats not how its supposed to work . its time for a tear down im afraid . your fuel and air assembly inside the fount needs cleaned or replaced .

[zoomkat]

" its time for a tear down im afraid ."

Well, I would not recommend that until he now tries a normal 1/4 turn open start up attempt and sees how that goes. Just saying.

[Chucker]

new fuel and air stem and generator still no spitting after the hissing

This sounds like you already tore it down to replace the f/a. Yes?

If so, did you also lightly ream out the fuel orifice at the bottom (with a tooth pick for instance)? That's usually the place where the rod sticks.

[Sandman]

Try inverting lantern while its struggling to light......if it stays lit & acts normal its most likely your F/A metering rod & orfice......by inverting you are reversing the way its getting the fuel.....its getting fuel from the top hole......because i think i read where you were shaking lantern and it cleared up......same results as inverting it.....so im thinking full tear down & going thru & cleaning the fuel pick up will resolve your problem

[bdickson]

Phewwwwwwwwww, pssttttttt a little flame and it should light. Warm the genny first helps. If no fuel it is possible the rod in fuel tube even though you are releasing the fuel knob but the rod is sticking in the fuel tube. Generally if all else fails then you have to tear down which should be the last resort.
All new to you lanterns you should pump up and turn fuel knob, if fuel comes out genny then it possibly is good to go. Just clean up and run.

[D421]

The rod is not retracted from the hole on the fuel air tube at the lighting possition.