I’ve needed to run this old CQ on kerosene, because the valve doesn’t fully close. The only way to turn it off is to release the pressure. Although bright, it’s always burned rich, with blackened mantles and a yellow glow. I decided to pull the R55 generator apart, and soon realised that it wasn’t quite working. The needle hole is damaged and won’t seat properly so it doesn’t actually prick it clean. It may be a problem with the cleaning lever, I’m unsure. While I try to fix it, I swapped the R55 jet for an old T66 jet (used on the 242/200a etc.). Well, it now runs better than it ever has!! T66 jets are only 0.001” smaller than the Q99, but I imagine both may have been enlarged over the years. The Q99 needle fits through it ok. And whilst the R55 runs both kero and Coleman fuel, the kero jets on other lamps and lanterns are traditionally smaller. Anyway, to get to my point, if you have an old CQ that burns rich and you don’t want to fork out for a new R55 - first try swapping the jet with an old 242!
