220K not pumping right

[Ericmday]

Hello. Recently acquired a 1980 220K lantern. Seems to pump pressure well. However, when I try the quarter turn nothing comes out the mantles. When I turn the gas can open it hisses out quite loudly. I took it apart (pump and tubes inside glass) and it looks very clean, perhaps unused. What am I doing wrong, or what can I do to make it right?

Forgive me, I know this has probably been asked a million times, but I don’t know the terminology to do the right search.

[REJ2]

Is the little brass cleaning lever on the opposite side of the fuel valve in the down position?

[Ericmday]

Yes

[pagrey]

This is a great starting point

https://www.colemancollectorsforum.com/ ... =6&t=18568

[REJ2]

This is a great starting point

https://www.colemancollectorsforum.com/ ... =6&t=18568

Informative and expertly written!

[zoomkat]

"when I try the quarter turn nothing comes out the mantles."

If you fully open the fuel valve do you get any air or fuel coming out of the generator? Note that you need to start with a full tank and with the 1/4 turn open start it may take a little while for fuel to make its way thru the fuel lines if they are dry.

[Ericmday]

Full, fresh gas. I heard a faint hiss a couple times when opened more. Now nothing. The gas cap, though, when loosened, you can hear it coming out.

[zoomkat]

"The gas cap, though, when loosened, you can hear it coming out."

Try pumping it up until it gets hard, let it sit for half an hour, then try pumping up again. Is it still just as hard to pump as when you left it, or is it easy to start pumping again? Just checking if there is an external air leak.

[Ericmday]

Just as hard. Even tried it in the morning; still hard

[Leviticus_Tomethreus]

Just as hard. Even tried it in the morning; still hard

Take it all apart and clean the fuel/air tube

[Majicwrench]

You need to spin the tip cleaner before you tear anything apart.. The tip of generator has a teenytiny hole that plugs A LOT, that is why Coleman provided you with a tip cleaner. And with tip plugged----you wont get any hiss or fuel. With valve open, spin tip cleaner and listen for hiss to come and go. Very very common for tip to plug if lantern hasn't been used in a while. And it may plug many times, spin the tip cleaner again!!

[zoomkat]

"Just as hard. Even tried it in the morning; still hard"

The symptom of the lantern passing air, then stopping, is interesting. If the lantern has a stuck fuel control rod, it should keep passing air until the tank is depressurized. You might pressurize the tank and fully open the fuel control valve to see if you eventually get fuel coming out of the generator. If a stuck fuel control rod is suspected, then I would fully open the fuel control valve and then start rapping the tank with a piece of wood to see if the rod might pop lose. The passing air and then it doesn't is not something I would expect unless the tank has depressurized while the fuel valve is open.

[Ericmday]

I wish I could post pics of what’s happening but it says the images are too big

[zoomkat]

"I wish I could post pics of what’s happening but it says the images are too big"

Go to the fAQ section of the forum and look at the various ways posted to resize and post pictures. If you are taking pictures with a cell phone, then often you can email the picture to yourself, selecting the smallest size option, which probably fit the forum requirements.

[Ericmday]

I took it apart and put it back together and spun the tip cleaner many times and now there is hissing and fuel smell. I don’t have mantles. Can I test without?

[Majicwrench]

Yes you can. Is a little different without mantles, if you have some way to heat the generator, like a little torch, that will make it easier/safer. Heat generator for 20 seconds or so, open valve all the way, see if it will light. If I recall, if you have it pumped too much it will kind of blow flame out.
And if hissing stops...spin tip cleaner. That is why it is there. If it plugs constantly, that is a good sign you need to do something with generator and/or flush font.

[Ericmday]

Thanks for your help. You guys are awesome!

[Ericmday]

So now it’s sputtering, flaming up and flaming out, cannot get a consistent glow. Should I trash the thing?

[Majicwrench]

When first lighting, with valve 1/4 turn open, it should sputter and flame a bit for first 10? seconds or so, then the generator gets hot enough and it should start to clean up and run well.
Are you lighting it with valve open 1/4 turn and leaving it there?

You can also try heating generator with torch before you light it. If you have generator hot, you can skip the 1/4 turn thing and just go full open.
Giving it 30-40 pumps?

[zoomkat]

"So now it’s sputtering, flaming up and flaming out, cannot get a consistent glow. Should I trash the thing?"

When it does that, turn the cleaning lever a couple of times and then open the fuel control valve fully. Also, make sure you have a *full* tank of fuel for the start.

[JimL]

When lighting without mantles, use low pressure or the flame will likely blow away from the mantles and go out. When I test without mantles, I do so with a butane torch moving up and down the generator. Without a way for the generator to remain heated, your flame-ups and inconsistent burn are likely normal.

By trashing it, you will learn nothing and will likely abandon the hobby.

[Majicwrench]

Jim has a good point, do you have mantles on it?? Don't expect any good long nice burn without mantle.