Lantern problems

[Hillmann]

I am having a problem with one of my lanterns. It is one of the new duel fuel ones it was running on fresh gas and had a full tank. After 2 or 3 hours of running it started to get dim then bright then dim and after maybe an hour of that it went out. I let it cool for maybe twenty minutes and re lit it it did the dim bright thing for maybe a half hour then went out. I re lit it burned for maybe 10 minutes then went out. I let it sit for maybe 2o minutes and when I tried to re light it it would only stay lit for a few seconds although it defently was getting fuel. When I got home and took the vent off it was covered in suit (smoke).

So what is causing the problem and how can I fix it?

[Zollinger]

Off the top of my head it sounds like you have a air leak somewhere. The easiest thing would be to make sure that the generator and fuel cap are tight.

[Hillmann]

No, the tank held pressure all night, when I dumped out the gas the next morning to see if it was dirty or had water in it, it still had pressure.

[Justin & Katy]

An air leak or pressure issue was my first guess as well. Just becuase there was pressure in the tank doesn't mean it was enough to run the lantern. My dual fuel has to be pumped every couple of hours to keep it running.

[Hillmann]

It had enough pressure, when it was not running right that was my first thought so I pumped it up, which didn't help. Then everytime before I would relight it I checked the pressure by giving it a pump.

[Zollinger]

Ok, the next best guess is the a spider has made a nest in one of the air tubes. Are they clear?

[Hillmann]

I don't know. How do you check? It was stored in the house with mantels on it so I kind of doubt that any bugs could get in there.

[Zollinger]

I don't know. How do you check? It was stored in the house with mantels on it so I kind of doubt that any bugs could get in there.

You'll be surprised what all crawls up into the tubes. You will have to destroy the mantles and run pipe cleaners up through the air tubes, and maybe blow out with compressed air. Your best bet is to tear it down and do a complete rebuild on it.
http://www.oldcolemanparts.com/resources/tech/re_2lant.cfm
This is a wonderful site that should get you started.

[Justin & Katy]

The generator is always the first place i look. Check the needle and the tip. It may have build up on it.

[Hillmann]

Thanks for the link.

If the needle does have a build up on it how do I clean it without causing damage?

[Justin & Katy]

I like to soak them in vinegar. it will eat the stuff off with out harming it. I would take the cardboard out of the generator and soak all the whole thing.

[starleen2]

was thinking plugged air tube as well - you know as the source of light - it does attract small flying critters and the air tube does draw a little suction (don't believe me - hold a match to the tube as it's lit and see it pull the flame). Quite possible that it sucked up something and it's blocking the airflow.

[High Desert]

I agree with the others, either a plugged generator or a blocked air tube. To clear the generator tip on a new style one without tearing it apart, cycle the valve full open to full closed several times in a row, this action moves the tip cleaner as well as opening the fuel valve. Then try lighting it and see what happens. If it lights, let it warm up a bit and then cycle it again a few times. If that doesn't help then things can be dismantled and manually cleaned as needed.

If you are running on regular pump gas it will foul the generator sooner than Coleman fuel because of all the additives. They forget to mention that sometimes.

[Zollinger]

Oops I must have not caught that it is a duel fuel. Shaun is right try opening and closing the valve wheel a couple of times to clean the generator.

[Hillmann]

I already tried turning the knob from full open to closed a few times, and it didn't help, although that was when it was running, will that make a difference? It sounds like the air tubes might be plugged up. I'll take a look at that tonight.