Have just finished sorting a long standing falling pressure problem with a Coleman 214. Symptoms. Ran well for 3 to 4 hours, then required very regular pumping to keep it bright. The running time for this to happen became less and less,and pumping was all but useless. Did a pressure test. Fine. Change Generator. Did not cure the problem. "Tear down time", (It is an American Lamp). After close examination and head scratching, I took a closer look at what I first assumed was a production mark on the fuel pick up tube,on the 214c It is a straight tube, nothing else. It was in appearance a fine straight line along the length of the tube. Turned out to be a split. All is fine when the split is covered with fuel. Not so when exposed to air. It had started at the bottom and was slowly heading upwards, meeting the falling level of fuel. Quick cure to confirm my suspicions was a length of shrink tube along the Pick up tube . Quick re-assemble,small amount of Fuel. Light. Happy Bunny. I have removed the old tube,and re soldered a new piece. Full tank,full burn with only a couple of pumps after 3 hours or so. Hope this is a bit of Knowledge that may help others in the future.
Well spotted! the newer 214 has a plastic fuel pickup tube, containing a schrader valve. It still suffers from the same problem, however... Yours must be the older type that has the bail handle attached to the frame and not to the vent as on the newer model.
They are not my favourite thing. They seem to block regularly and are difficult to cure. I am a great fan of "KISS". (Keep it simple stupid).
Yes, the 214 was not Coleman's greatest design for performance, reliability or life expectancy. Give me a good old 201, 241 or 249 any day!
