Bent Coleman generator tip cleaning rod

Discussion in 'Fettling Forum' started by Fireexit1, Feb 25, 2021.

  1. Fireexit1 United Kingdom

    Offline
    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2020
    Messages:
    3,142
    Location:
    Brighton UK
    A generator from a project 275 - same gen as the 220. Amazingly bent and with brass gauze. I replaced it with a rod from an old 288 generator, which is the same length. I have never seen brass gauze in a coleman generator before and do not think it is suposed to be there, maybe the cause of the S bend ?
    bendy.jpg Dead fly from burner tube.
     
  2. burndout

    Offline
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2011
    Messages:
    100
    Not all Coleman generators contain gauze behind the nipple, but some do. The gauze in yours is likely original to that generator.
     
  3. Fireexit1 United Kingdom

    Offline
    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2020
    Messages:
    3,142
    Location:
    Brighton UK
    Thanks @burndout - I have never found one before in 7 Coleman rebuilds, or in new generators. I have left it out of this one (but not thrown it away)
    cheers
    C
     
  4. Andrew T

    Offline
    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2016
    Messages:
    537
    Location:
    Port Elizabeth South Africa
    How is it possible for the needle on the end to not be bent or broken?
     
  5. MikeO

    Offline
    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2014
    Messages:
    247
    Been there, done that, Fireexit1!

    Idea was to filter out bits of carbon gunk before clogging the tip (I kinda thought that's what the pricker was all about...), and frustrate people cleaning their generators! I've found the dreaded mesh in generators like yours and also the T66s for the 200/242 lanterns.

    Toss it like you did and it will work just fine. Not one of Coleman's best ideas, but a close second to their crimping new generators so you can't get them apart for cleaning. Arrrrgh...

    Mike.
     
  6. Blueflame Canada

    Offline
    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2016
    Messages:
    78
    Location:
    Montreal Canada
    My thought exactly. I would think that such a misshape is due to some kind of overheating unless it was from forcing the needle rod out from the tube.
     
  7. MikeO

    Offline
    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2014
    Messages:
    247
    Typically what happens is the rod gets pulled out for cleaning and the brass screen stays inside. The rod goes back in and the needle goes through the mesh, but the rod snags on the screen. The pricker lever gets cranked by the user and something has to give. It's the reason a 228 I cleaned worked only when the cleaning lever was in the up position. Presumably it had been twisted forcing a jammed pricker rod as that generator ultimately yielded a mashed up bit of brass screen.

    Mike.
     
  8. george

    george United States Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2011
    Messages:
    3,251
    Location:
    USA
    Someone put that gause in as an afterthought. Never seen one like that before in any NOS generator from Coleman...
     
  9. burndout

    Offline
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2011
    Messages:
    100
    It is a sure thing that the old nickel plated T44DL 'Double Life' generators have such gauze in them.

    I just looked at some of my spares. Had to remove the asbestos tube, spring, pricker wire, and jet.

    Strong light then showed that gauze to be in there.

    The original posters images showing a spring that tapers; shows that his generator is of much newer manufacture.

    Mostly, that screen just never comes out of a generator on disassembly.
     
  10. george

    george United States Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2011
    Messages:
    3,251
    Location:
    USA
    That's interesting... I've never had a T44DL generator before so it's one I overlooked.
    Thanks a lot. That's the great thing about this site, you never stop learning! I really enjoy this!:D/:thumbup:
     
  11. cat235

    Offline
    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2015
    Messages:
    1
    Many of my older Coleman generators have, or had that brass screen in them. They can destroy needles, so it’s best to remove them
     

    Attached Files:

  12. AussiePete

    AussiePete United States Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2015
    Messages:
    3,643
    Location:
    Toowoomba Australia
    Yes, I agree with @cat235
    When I find these brass screen inserts, I remove them.
    Cheers
    Pete
     
  13. Fireexit1 United Kingdom

    Offline
    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2020
    Messages:
    3,142
    Location:
    Brighton UK
    Thanks all - I thought that this might prove interesting - I was more than a little astonished when I pulled it out I must say. I have managed to straighten it out but the replacement rod is faring well, so no need to change it back. The lantern has been dropped at some point in it's life as the cap/cage needed some 'encouragement' back to shape. However the generator tube shows no damage, so I can only assume that the bend is due to the gauze getting in the way and a heavy hand. The 275 has three valve positions held by spring detent. This removes the "feedback" that you get on other lanterns I guess.
     
  14. Reese Williams

    Offline
    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2012
    Messages:
    295
    As noted above, the gauze was a feature in older generators. If you know it's there it is easy enough to work with, it just takes a little extra care in putting the generator together.
     
  15. Kiwi

    Kiwi Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2018
    Messages:
    31
    Location:
    New Zealand
    That is quite a spectacular bend, it would have taken a strong hand to do that damage.
     
  16. Fireexit1 United Kingdom

    Offline
    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2020
    Messages:
    3,142
    Location:
    Brighton UK
    @Kiwi I have learnt over years of fixing things to never underestimate how little "mechanical sympathy" some people have :lol:. I knew a fellow once who could not understand why it was so difficult to turn the big knob anti-clockwise on his washing machine, and why he had to put so much effort into it...even with it switched on :doh:
     
  17. David Shouksmith

    David Shouksmith United Kingdom Founder Member

    Offline
    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2010
    Messages:
    8,216
    Location:
    North-East England
    That's nowt - I know, er, 'someone' who spent about a week trying to unscrew the hub nuts on his Austin Maxi. The odd thing was, one side undid very easily but the other wouldn't budge at all and he resorted to more and more force using progressively larger spanners, socket sets, extensions to the various spanners and wrenches etc., etc. It was most odd, the more he tried to undo them, the more firmly stuck they seemed to get.

    Then he bought a Haynes workshop manual. The prat...
     
  18. Mr cod

    Mr cod Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2018
    Messages:
    489
    Location:
    Aylsham norfolk
    Left handed threads I presume.
     
  19. Tony Press

    Tony Press Australia Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2012
    Messages:
    9,594
    Location:
    Stinkpot Bay, Howden, Tasmania, Australia
    “...er, ‘someone’...”. :-k

    Cheers

    Tony
     
  20. AussiePete

    AussiePete United States Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2015
    Messages:
    3,643
    Location:
    Toowoomba Australia
    @Tony Press
    My 1964 Chrysler AP5 Valiant had left hand threads on the left hand side wheels. I believe other models of the Chrysler Valiant had the same.
    Cheers
    Pete
     
  21. MikeO

    Offline
    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2014
    Messages:
    247
    Pricker lever...won't...turn...

    Must...use...pliers
     
  22. Joel United States

    Offline
    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2022
    Messages:
    4
    Location:
    United States
    Yes I am new also to the repaire part of coleman lanterns, I have 2x 228f lanters from my dad when I was a kid fixing/cleaning for my kid and grand kid. Yup getting old myself.
    while reassembling from cleaning went to re-install gen"carefully" bent needle, examining found screen removed it bent my needle was able to fix it but now has a kink/dog leg but does function.
    So yes some maybe all have screen, both mine did removed one was able to leave one in.
    I think back then gasoline had particulates that the screen helped catch but today gas is better runs fine with out screen so keep or toss doesnt seam to matter now adays except for if you are a collector.
     
  23. Joel United States

    Offline
    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2022
    Messages:
    4
    Location:
    United States
    nope not a strong hand just a wrench.
     

Share This Page