I found an old lantern on my daughters farm and it cannot get it to flow fuel. It holds pressure and blows out the top of the needle just fine, but no fuel with the air, so I'm assuming it's the fuel/air tube in the font. I can take the tube off, but the needle and spring remain in the assembly and I don't like to force anything. Is it just that brass spring holding it in there from friction? I don't want to pull on the needle and break it if there is something else holding it in??? Cheers.
Heat it with a propane torch and pull at the same time. It will come out as there is nothing but build up of carbon or other debris holding it in.
tried that Blueflame and it was a no go, I didn't want to pull any harder, and the brass was starting to glow, so I think the spring must be jammed in the threads somehow. :/
@Courtney Hook Welcome from Queensland Australia. You sure have a problem. I’m thinking that the issue you have is more mechanical. I thinking the spring may have become either distorted or corroded such as to cause it to jam, much like a circlip would. There shouldn’t be any build up of carbon this low down in the system. I would expect carbon build up more in the generator/vaporiser where the heat is. Having said this, it’s possible that other crud or gunk could have solidified in the bore of the hole and jamming the needle assembly. Before any excessive force is used, and gentle heating the parts has failed to loosen the needle, I would suggest using some mild acid like cleaner, perhaps vinegar or citric acid dribbled into the hole and left to soak for an hour or so, then if possible, working/jiggling the needle up and down. This may encourage any gunk to slowly release. If this doesn’t work then brute force, unfortunately usually destructive, would be the next step. Alternatively, if all else fails, you can purchase a new part from Old Coleman Parts, see the following link: https://www.oldcolemanparts.com/home.php Just a thought, you may want to hold the part in the vice protected by copper or aluminium keepers installed over the jaws of the vice. This will help prevent any unsightly marking of the brass parts. Hope it works out for you. Cheers Pete
Thanks Peter for the info and suggestions. Yes I think it is indeed mechanical and will require me getting ahold of that little bugger of a spring and getting it out of there. When I pull up on the needle you can feel a physical stop, and a metallic click like it's hitting on something metallic which I suspect is the bottom end of the spring. As you say, maybe it's time to get a little more serious. First I will try and work that spring out, which I suspect is the problem, then if it won't cooperate I will just reef it out. Thanks again, Courtney
