Calling a Coleman Doctor...help please

Lanterns, stoves, etc... anything old!

Calling a Coleman Doctor...help please

Postby Woodstramp » Thu Nov 03, 2011 10:30 pm

Some of you seem to be experienced Colman lamp experts.

First, where can parts be had. One of mine has a cracked glass.

Second, I have a coleman "powerhouse" lamp. I think it's only a decade old...don't know for sure. First problem I fixed....the pumper thing would not build pressure in the fuel vessel....some oil fixed that.

The main issue is there appears to be a fuel leak above the tank. There is a shroud with instructions that covers this area and you can't see in there. I'm thinking that the seal is bad around the valve or a gland nut there needs tightening. The leak is not that great, but it is enough to make me nervous about using the old girl. What I'd like to know is it a leak problem at the valve a common problem and is it a big issue to fix. If I could fix this and replace the cracked glass I'd like to use it again; Thanks.
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Postby Moho » Fri Nov 04, 2011 12:26 am

For parts http://www.oldcolemanparts.com/home.php

As far as the leak there are a couple of connections which can be the problem. I'll let someone else explain that knows all the terminology for the parts in there that can leak.
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Postby Woodstramp » Fri Nov 04, 2011 12:34 am

Outstanding link there Moho....Thanks for that. I'll see if I can figure out exactly which one we have.
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Postby Moho » Fri Nov 04, 2011 12:49 am

They also have detailed instructions with photos on how to disassemble and diagnosis a problem on that site as well as the part names.
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Postby doug hodder » Fri Nov 04, 2011 8:47 pm

Sorry, I'm completely unfamiliar with a "powerhouse" lantern. I have seen the globes available at WalMart though.

You need to pinpoint exactly where it is leaking. Pressure it up with fuel and open the valve just like you were going to light it, but don't. Fuel can do funny things. It's wet in 1 spot, but it flowed to that spot, IE...down a generator. At that age, if it hasn't been apart, I'd bet it's not leaking from the valve body into the fount. I'm not sure how the control valve/knob works on that one, but if it's leaking out the nut on it...a partial tweek with a wrench may tighten up the packing, if it's that type of nut and will solve that problem.

I've never played with one, so this is just step by step things I'd do on one. Doug
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Postby Mark72 » Sat Nov 05, 2011 7:49 pm

I was pretty disappointed when I took one of those apart and cleaned it for a coworker. They have a plastic fuel stem and use a tire shrader valve for the instant lighting feature. If I was a betting man I would say that you have a spiders nest in the air tube catching the fuel and making it drip back down toward the base where you are seeing it. Clean the air tube out on the burner frame. while you have it off see what your fuel pattern looks like and clean the rest as needed.

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Postby Woodstramp » Sun Nov 06, 2011 11:11 pm

Well, I refueled it again after my last post. Repressurized and lit it. Funny thing is that it didn't leak this go round. I set it in the middle of the yard and let it burn. Aside from the cracked glass, it ran flawlessly for some strange reason. Maybe fiddling with it took care of the leak. Even used it Friday night for several hours in camp. No problems. Did happen to find a globe at Wallyworld, but it didn't fit.

Forgot about that old sound, light and smell. Guess it kind of gets in your blood like the smell of a sulphur belching black powder firearm does. 8)

Thanks for all the pointers.
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Postby kzhorse » Mon Nov 07, 2011 8:56 am

The raw fuel could have been that the generator was cold and dumps fuel till it warms up giving you the impression of a fuel leak just keep a eye on it and enjoy.

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