Hey guys, I'm new here and am looking for some help. I was recently given a few Coleman lanterns, all of which have issues. I first got to work on the 220H model. It builds pressure just fine, however it has trouble lighting and seems to mostly be ejecting air without much fuel. It will sometimes spray atomized fuel through the mantle if turned completely on, but will stop within 15 or so seconds and if left on will begin dripping fuel from the mantles and where the generator attaches to the base. It seems to be blowing itself out with the air flow so I thought maybe it was running too lean. I've completely disassembled and cleaned the generator, air tube, fount, and fuel pickup tube and I'm still having problems. I'm trying to avoid buying parts as I'd like this to be a no cost project, so if I can get away without replacing anything that would be preferable. Thanks guys!!
Welcome @Mike Honcho It sounds as though the fuel/air assembly is not functioning correctly. What did you use to clean it ?
Dismantle the entire lanter to each and every piece. Clean up al parts nicely from dirt, spiders, insects, carbon deposits. If vapourizer is old, you might need to replace. And you should try lighting after 90 seconds preheat the vapouriser with a lighter.
@bp4willi I actually tried preheating with a propane torch, however it seemed to make little difference.
Did you disassemble the fuel air tube? The small jet at the bottom needs to be cleaned out with a toothpick. It is also common to install the spring in the wrong spot. Make sure it is pushing the rod up. Also make sure you are starting with a full tank of fuel. Good luck!
@74Harley I cleaned the fuel air tube. I was unable to remove the spring, though, so I let it soak in carb cleaner. I'll attempt to remove it again when I break it back down and ensure the rod is being pushed up.
Here are some pictures, if more are needed I'd be glad to oblige. Please forgive the quality; I had a hard time focusing the camera. While playing with it some more I discovered a pattern. When the lantern has sat for a while and is completely cold it starts up fairly easily and burns nicely. However after it has warmed up--about 20 seconds or so--it will blow itself out and will only relight if the fuel valve is turned off while the remaining fuel in the line burns off; I photographed this happening. This makes me think that the air pressure is blowing the flame out due to it running too lean. I can take a video and post it to YouTube if it would help.
Mike The first thing to do with a Coleman is buy a new generator , for this lantern it's just $10. That will usually solve the problem if not you'll know its something else. No use tearing out your hair only discover after a lot of hassle it just needed a new generator.
@Hanzo Do generators wear out? I've always thought that with a proper cleaning they can last forever.
Sure they wear out and clog , they are made to be replaceable and disposable. Its possible that the original gen on your lantern is 50 years old or so.
So here's a good test for you. Take the generator off. Open valve 1/4 turn. It should spit air and fuel. Then open valve all the way, should be fuel only, solid steady stream. If this works your generator is bad. If not your fuel and air tube is plugged. It must be disassembled to properly clean. ONLY DO THE FUEL TEST OUTDOORS! Good luck!
I've dealt with the same problem you are having. If the Coleman fuel has dried up inside the tank it will leave a varnish which can and will plug the fuel air tube. The other problem I've had to deal with is when some damn fool uses Auto Fuel in a Coleman lantern which is only suppose to have Coleman fuel. Auto fuel has many additives which can and will plug up the 220 generator. The easiest way to clean the FA tube is to us an Ultrasonic cleaner. Some will use Acetone for this purpose but others will just use soap and water and others will use a mild acid solution. If you don't have an Ultrasonic cleaner it is very difficult to remove the varnish from inside the FA tube. As you can see in the schematic below there is an inner and outer. This is how the Coleman lanterns can have an instant start. Here is a breakdown on the Coleman fuel air tube, FA. Personally I think the problem you are having is with your FA tube. Personally I would just get a new 220 FA tube from Mike at oldcolemanparts.com. It may be a very good idea the have a spare 220 generator on hand if the original is in bad shape. Having spare washers for the fuel cap is also a very good idea. The washer may look good but that doesn't mean it is. Do a total dismantling of the lantern and clean the inside of the control valve. Oh I forgot to add when you are unscrewing the control valve assembly it is a good idea to mark the orientation of the control valve and the number of turns it take to remove the control valve assembly for the fuel tank. Cheers, Norman
This is also a great thing to do before you put the generator on any fuel valve you've been cleaning. A great way to flush out any little bits that will clog your generator tip. Mike.
Thanks for the info and diagram, Norman. I'm going to try to get around to cleaning the fuel air tube sometime today and I'll update if there is an improvement.
I finally took the lantern apart again and got to thoroughly cleaning the fuel/air tube and, unfortunately, my problem was not resolved. It appears as though the only other obvious issue would be a bad generator, so I picked up a new generator and will install it when I get a chance.
Hello Mike, it does sound like it’s probably just the generator. With the lantern pressurized turn the valve open a quarter to a half a turn; it should gurgle. That’s the combination of air and fuel being mixed and pushed through the valve. It should light at this point and burn freely for a moment before the generator get warm enough to vaporize the liquid fuel. Let it burn until the mantles glow then open the valve all the way. It’s blowing out because the fuel flow is stopping; if it goes to acting up try turning the cleaner rod quickly two or three times all the way around. If it clears up you need a generator. If it starts acting up and the cleaner does no good then take the whole lantern and give it a good shake back and forth. The idea is to get fuel in the small hole in the top of the fuel/air tube. If that makes it work better then you probably just need to gently stretch the spring in the fuel/air tube; not too much but it’s likely to have lost tension being in the closed position for who knows how many years. These are work horses and generally don’t like to be coddled.
Hi. I have a coleman 226 lantern, but I bet the situation is the same. I have air coming out of the generator, but I do not see or smell any fuel. My question to anyone is how do I remove the fuel rod assembly that goes down in the tank. Does it unscrew? I tried a 1/2 wrench to try to unscrew it from the base, but I can't get it to budge.
yikes! I got it off. BUT everything looks clean. Should I see the fuel actually coming out of the top of the fuel rod assembly with the generator off when I give it a pump?
Check out Bill Klock on YouTube. His channel is named King ColeMan. He explains how Coleman lanterns (and other lanterns operate- stoves too) and he shows how to correctly trouble shoot, dismantle, repair and restore. Extremely informative and well done. Best I’ve seen. Best of luck Rich
@Rick Jaeschke Yes, with the valve full open. With the valve in the start position (1/4 open) you will get mainly fumes with a small amount of gurgling fuel at best.
I've come across this problem a few times. What I do is add some fuel injector cleaner to the fuel in the fount and try to get some fuel/cleaner through all the workings. Then let it sit for a week. Then try it again. If it works great if not then I disassemble. I also add a capful of injector cleaner to a tankful of fuel periodically to keep it from clogging.
