Coleman Xmas tree trouble

[Ratkity]

My little precious Xmas tree isn't feeling well. After firing right up and going on 2 successful camping trips, it's flaming now when lit. I put a new mantle on it and it wasn't the problem. I hear pressure and it holds it well. Is the generator shot?

Thanks for your input.

Hugs,
Ratkity

[rainjer]

Can you explain more?

Does it flame when you first start or after several minutes? Is it yellow sooty flame?

Jeremy

[Ratkity]

It flames when it starts up and continues to flame yellow with a few intermittant glow in the mantles. If I open the valve more, it flames more. The mantle glow isn't settling out. The yellow flame goes beyond where the hat is and higher if the valve is opened higher. I can't tell if it's sooty. There appears to be stickiness around where the generator inserts into the mixer (bend in the air thingie).

Hugs,
Ratkity

[rainjer]

Yellow sooty flame means lack of air. It is running rich. You most likely have a spider nest in the are tube in the frame.

This will explain.
http://www.oldcolemanparts.com/resource ... yellow.cfm

Take a look at the bottom of the page on cleaning the frame.
http://www.oldcolemanparts.com/resource ... lant_b.cfm

Jeremy

[High Desert]

one other quick question; does it make any difference when you turn the tip cleaner a few times?

[Ratkity]

Nope, tried the tip cleaner trick.. no change!

Hugs,
Ratkity

[starleen2]

My little precious Xmas tree isn't feeling well. After firing right up and going on 2 successful camping trips, it's flaming now when lit. I put a new mantle on it and it wasn't the problem. I hear pressure and it holds it well. Is the generator shot?

Thanks for your input.

Hugs,
Ratkity

Yep - or clogged at the least - seen it happen before - you use a time or two and thing work just right - then BAM - it hits. Take out the generator and give it a good cleaning - remove the guts of the generator - unscrew the tip, and usually let it soak in carb cleaner, then with a small wire rifle brush i clean the inside of the generator tube. Usually some navel jelly will loosen any crud on the tip cleaner needle - just be sure not to bend the wire tip! Between the heating and cooling cycles - carbon built up in the generator and now you're seeing it's effects

[Justin & Katy]

My little precious Xmas tree isn't feeling well. After firing right up and going on 2 successful camping trips, it's flaming now when lit. I put a new mantle on it and it wasn't the problem. I hear pressure and it holds it well. Is the generator shot?

Thanks for your input.

Hugs,
Ratkity

Yep - or clogged at the least - seen it happen before - you use a time or two and thing work just right - then BAM - it hits. Take out the generator and give it a good cleaning - remove the guts of the generator - unscrew the tip, and usually let it soak in carb cleaner, then with a small wire rifle brush i clean the inside of the generator tube. Usually some navel jelly will loosen any crud on the tip cleaner needle - just be sure not to bend the wire tip! Between the heating and cooling cycles - carbon built up in the generator and now you're seeing it's effects

Soak everything but the cardboard tube insert.

[Ratkity]

I got the old thing running after cleaning the generator. It's still struggling a bit. I believe it's time for a new genny. I made sure the tubing to the body was all clean. The valve is working flawlessly.

I burnt my widdle paw on a piece that I thought was cool enuff to touch. OW!

Thank you for all your advice! It was spot on

Hugs,
Ratkity

[starleen2]

one utter' thing - a lot of peole forget that these little lanterns are anywhere from to 50 - 20 yrs old. There is a spring in the F/A tube INSIDE of the fount. Whenever you rebuild a lantern be sure to give this spring a little stretch - 1/8 inch will do - This little spring has been in compression for a long time and may have lost some of it's ability to seat F/A rod.