Coleman 295..what is the pink gunk here?

Received a Coleman Dual Fuel Powerhouse two burner lantern yesterday. It looked ok.
Pump seized. I sprayed, oiled…fiddled and coaxed…it came free, but not pumping air into the fount. I sprayed carb cleaner into the NRV and tried fiddling it into life. No luck (and still stuck)
I could hear something rattling around inside the fount. I thought it may be a ball bearing or nut from some previous cleaning efforts, but it sounded like…hard candy….something hard but not metal. Too big to exit via the filler hole, in any case. I flushed and swirled the tank with white spirits. A lot of pink flakes came out with each flush


I removed the burner, frame and generator…emoted the tip and put it for a small jar of gasoline in the ultrasonic cleaner for 10 minutes and that cleaned it out
The fount, I had to remove the fuel pickup and main valve assembly, first time for me. It was tight, and stiff, but it came free. But it left the entire fuel pickup inside, the Schraeder valve flush with the top of the fount. Disaster, I guessed.


I coaxed the nub up with two small flat screwdrivers, and then all the way out with needle nosed pliers. The plastic fuel pickup had actually unscrewed itself as I unwound the valve body. It was stuck to the bottom of the fount by something. I was lucky to get it out, I think.

the gunk coming out of the pump tube was very sandy and gritty, black, but not rusty.


With two holes now, I spotted a large chunk of pink stuff, like a pebble, inside . I used a round file to trap it and I gave it a light tap, which shattered the pebble. I retrieved the shards and continued until I smashed and retrieved all the ‘rattlers’. I think it is automotive body filler. I can see that there is more stuck in the area of the internal end of the pump tube. It is rock hard, not spongey.
I cannot get the valve free, and I am waiting on a tool for safe removal of the NRV.

Has anyone had this before? Is body filler a hack for some problem?

I think this fount is toast. Same for the pickup tube. Second Coleman for me that is no good. And I only have two. I may be cursed with Coleman’s.

 

This picture is a stove tank, but lanterns are built the same.

The pump has a snorkel (circled in green) at the end. Yours is probably clogged. There are a couple of things you can try. Once you have the check valve (it's not really a NRV) out, stand the fount so the pump tube is vertical and pour some solvent in and let it sit. I would use either lye or acetone. Let it sit for a while (days not hours) then use the pump with no check valve installed to try to push it through. Some folks have been able to fish the snorkel over enough to get to the upper end through the hole where the valve goes and use a thin wire to clear the snorkel. I'd try both.

Body filler is not a known solution for any problem I know of, but then it's amazing what some people can think up to ruin a perfectly good lantern.

I think (trust but verify) that a common 220 fount would work as a replacement if you just want a working lantern. Old Coleman parts should have a fount, if it's worth the shipping to Oz. Also try the classified section of Coleman Collector's Forum, might find one closer.

 

Thank you . I appreciate the comments and suggestions. I will check for replacement founts.

it occurred to me there is probably an issue, some kind of leak that the PO tried fixing with body filler. I have the pump tube soaking in carb cleaner. I will give it more time. But I doubt anything will dissolve hardened body filler. Just tough luck with this one I guess.

 

You are right….acetone might dissolve body filler. I will try that, and lacquer thinners on some pieces that already came out. ‘thanks again.
I forgot the carb cleaner is really only to loosen the ball bearing in the check valve….ill try thinners right now.

 

I too remember seeng this on a 295 I fettled a few years back, but nowhere as much as you have found. I came to the conclusion that it was some sort of factory fitted internal paint/sealer. I got as much out as was loose, and have used the lantern ever since. It may be that yours had a bit too much and has come away over the years.

 

Hello Fireexit
Thanks for the info. I do not think this is a factory coating/lining. The ball of pink crud inside the fount was loose and about an inch in diameter. The gunk gripped and held the bottom end of the fuel pickup tube. I think that is why it unscrewed itself when I removed the main brass valve from the fount. I extracted the tube straight up, like the gunk hardened around it, stopping from rotating. I can also see more of it under the internal pump tube. I think it has hardened around the check valve end, sealing it. It’s a mess. I will keep trying to clear it, but I have no great hopes it will be usable.
I ordered parts and a new fount and will try to get it working. My Coleman Curse endures.

 

Ah you have moved into the "fixing it is maybe more important than the cost zone" - many here including me have been there . On the upside you should end up with one that you can trust. Good luck

 

Yes. I want at least one reliable working Coleman, for everyday use, camping etc. my 201 kerosene model refuses to play nicely yet, so I opted for a later model, a gasoline burner….just in case I need it. I think I got catfished….this one has been ‘fixed’ and ruined by previous owner. Coleman’s are hard to find in Australia, which is really a shame.

 

Always the way - here you can fall over them.. but an Austramax - well that is a rare thing !

 

as mentioned at 5:50 in this video

I've also had to clean out pink gunk from a couple of older Duel Fuel Coleman founts. Unleaded gasoline is one thing but unleaded gasoline with ethanol is very different. Of course I may be wrong but I think that over time, the ethanol begins to break down the internal liner causing such problems as experienced by @LesRiekie

Mix some of the shards with ethanol and put it in a jar (with lid) and set it aside for a few days and see if the hard pieces start to soften.
Body filler is usually a paste, why would anyone put it inside a lantern fount? How would you spread it out?

 

Update. After soaking some chunks for 10 hours in acetone they have softened a bit, more like sugar cubes now, so it is having an effect. The acetone is still clear, so it is not really liquifying the substance yet, but the chunks are easy to squash and pulverise, whereas before they were like hard candy, and required a sharp tap to break.

Henry, thank you for your reply and suggestions. I have not had a Coleman unleaded lantern before, and they are not very common here in Australia. I have never used one either, and no experience with deposits, or tank liners either.

I can only speculate that the body filler may have been tried by previous owner as an attempt to ‘fix’ something. Body filler can be diluted before use, I think the paste consistency is preferred for normal use on car bodies, but it is conceivable that a person would try to make it into a ‘liner’ for a fount.

I will half fill the fount with acetone and seal it up for a few days. I might get lucky and be able to remove some more from around the check valve with a wire. The check valve is still not working or allowing air to move into the tank.

 

The body filler will not be the cause of the check valve not working. Look at this rather fuzzy picture.
The snorkel on the lantern is quite tall. The bottom of the pump tube is sealed, the only access to the CV from the fount is via the snorkel. I think it unlikely the body filler was able to flow down the snorkel to the CV. I think you have two separate issues, 1 the snorkel is clogged, 2 the CV is dirty or the ball in it is rusted. As you see in the picture the snorkel comes quite close to the bung where the valve screws in. You can hook the snorkel and bend it enough to get to the top end through the bung, then poke at it with a wire to clear the snorkel. When you get the CV out you can soak it in solvent then pick at the ball with a wooden tool, such as a toothpick, until you get it clean and working. Remember the CV is not a complete seal like a NRV, the CV only slows the escape of air from the font enough that you can pump it up. The air seal is accomplished when you screw the air stem into the CV.

 

Thank you. ‘I’m waiting on a removal tool for the CV. I will try to get the snorkel tube clear, or at least poke around and see if it is clear.

 

Tell me what kind of Coleman you want. They are not hard to find in my shed.


Cheers

Tony

 

Rereading my post, you may have only one problem, a completely clogged CV. I'd hold off on messing with the snorkel until you remove the CV.

 

Yes. The acetone has taken on a pink colouring, and a lot of fink flakes, like paint flakes, large, came out. I will continue to soak and flush the tank. I have to wait for a special valve removal tool to arrive. It is stuck tight, and my home made ‘screwdriver’ is not suitable for the job.
The pink flakes are smooth, glossy and consistent colour, unlike the ball of pink material that was rattling around. That clearly has inclusions, like pink concrete. Perhaps there was a Caswell coating at one point. I can only speculate, and I realise this is not very interesting. But I will keep working on it and see what happens.
Thank you all for your suggestions and assistance.

 

Tony Press….you are very kind to consider such a thing. I have a 201 kerosene single mantle, that is producing a jet of flame like an afterburner on a jet. Until I fettle it into a safe burn I will not use it. I don’t have experience with Coleman lanterns and I am doing my research and testing for now.
The Coleman 295 was supposed to be a reliable lantern that was quite modern…but, well, some problems.
At this point I think a single mantle model that burns shellite /white gas/unleaded would suit me. Age and appearance not important…just something in working condition. I have only recently started the lantern hobby and I have no great expectations for particular, or rare items. I love fixing things and enjoy the charm of pressure lanterns, their design and functionality. A quiet hobby for me that I find more and more interesting.

thanks again for your kind consideration Tony.

 

@LesRiekie

For Shellite (don’t use ULP), check out Coleman 242B:

242 & 246 letter variants, 2243

For kerosene, check out Coleman 249:

249, 249D, 249E


Both are sturdy and simple; parts are ok to find (mostly).


Tony

 

Tony,
Both remind me of the Handi and Austramax lantern in size and looks. From my limited experience. I lean towards the 242 shellite fuelled lanterns. I like the robust bails of the older Colemans. I like the simple arrangement of the two legged burner upper assemblies too.

A 242 type would be my choice.
Les.

 

I shall scout the shed.


Tony

 

Les

I have plenty of Aussie kerosene 249s.

One or two Aussie 242Bs (will let one go).

And three 201s (I’ll let one go).


Whatever you choose, I will clean the inside of the tank and test for leaks; and test generator and burner; but I won’t fettle unless you want me to.

I’ll make sure all parts are there.

Over to you.


Tony
@LesRiekie

 

Tony. Cool. If you have plenty of 249s I will be very happy to take one. I like the shiny tank with green ventilator from your pics
Let’s set a price, or a trade, as you like.
‘I’m on 0410550656 if you wish to talk about it, or send your number and I’ll call you. I am in Adelaide. I lived in Sandy Bay for 4 years, in the 70’s.

kind Regards
Les

PS. Working condition is fine for me, but fettle as you like. I will probably not mess with it as I am not that confident, and I’m not set up to fix prickles or anything too technical. Not yet, anyway.

 

@LesRiekie

I’m happy to get one running for you, but I’m heading to the bush capital for the week tomorrow, so I can’t begin until next weekend.

I’ll get in touch with you through the week.


Cheers

Tony

 

Thanks Tony. No rush.

 

@LesRiekie

This was something I experienced too, see here: Coleman Powerhouse 295 with extras!

The lantern now runs perfectly. Good luck with your project.

Regards Jeremy

 

X246A….im glad you got a good result and a working lantern for your efforts. I’ve had acetone in mine for 3 days now and the crud is no longer flushing out, perhaps it has all flaked out. The CV is still not working, no pumping air yet. I have a proper tool en route, so I will try and get the valve out and see what’s going on.
I changed the neoprene pump out to a home made leather one, since the neoprene was cracked. Good pressure now, but it’s not getting past the CV.
We shall see what my perseverance returns….

thank you for your reply

Les.

 

Dumb question but I've got to ask. You are turning the pump knob a couple turns counter-clockwise before you pump, right?

 

Yes. I know to unlock the valve before pumping.

 

I have the fount dismantled, and it has had acetone in it for 7 days now…no more crud is coming out, but the blockage/problem remains.
Is it worth trying a boil? I have citric acid. I have vinegar, soap, other various volatiles. I have an ultrasonic cleaner.

any suggestions for a mixture that may unclog this without stripping off the paint.?

 

I see in some other threads here that methylated spirits (denatured aclohol) has some effect on the pink. There is a theory that it is the ethanol component in modern petrol (gasoline) that has caused the issue, so there may be a logic to it. But you may wish to wait unil you can get the NRV out ? - it may be that the fount is now clean enough ?