Hi fellas, one for the Coleman fellas. It appears that the air tube is blocked at the bottom of the cock valve., the pump works the valve works, can not get air into the tank. I’ve tried pumping air with no valve , no air. I’ve soaked it with shellite even tried to push some through but still no air in the tank. Open for suggestions. The lantern has sat empty for a few years?
I guess either the check valve or 'snorkel' air tube is blocked. Shellite is near-entirely light aliphatic hydrocarbons. While it is great as a fuel for 'gasoline-fueled' lanterns, it does not have the greatest solvent power on certain materials. If whatever that's clogging the parts happens to be old fuel sludge, gums or leather bits, then you might get better results on this with hot, concentrated lye(sodium hydroxide) solution. If you do try the lye, then keep the aluminium vaporizer away from it. Avoid getting the lye on rubbers, painted parts and decals too. On the other hand, if the blockage is due inorganic dirt, rust and oxidation, then lye might not be effective. A hot citric acid soak would probably be better for the latter. If you are able to remove the check valve first, the task would be greatly eased.
Hi fellas upon further investigation, I think my tank has had it. The inside of the tank is rusty, I can see corrosion pits all through it, I have one large pin hole above the fuel cap. The out side at the bottom of the pump tube is encrusted with rust, other internal parts have rust. It doesn’t look good for my lantern. I did want to get it going for Remembrance Day. 11/11/24. But not now. Thank you for the help @MYN
Was it then, that you could actually get air by pumping into the fount? It was just that the fount couldn't hold pressure? That'd be quite obvious if there is a leak through one or more pinholes on the fount.
@MYN . I couldn’t pump air into it, I removed the check valve and still couldn’t pump air in to it. I put a torch up to the openings I could see vast rust and particularly at the bottom of the pump, the bottom had a fare amount of pitting. I soaked it in my ultrasonic bath to heat it up 55degrees Celsius, no ultrasonic, just a good warm bath. When I drained and dried the tank it looked better inside but still I couldn’t put air into it, I noticed a small patch and under investigation turned out to be a pin hole. I did poke it to expose the hole. I didn’t really expect to see so much corrosion. Even now when I have a closer look there is a fair amount of pitting that I can see. Maybe my tank was doomed from the start. I hadn’t lit this lantern for a couple of years.
Perhaps so. I have an AFM 1967 milspec that was in far worse condition than yours. The fount and parts well were completely rusted through and leaking. Nearly all the fuel and air channels were blocked with both rust and old fuel deposits. Although patching and repairs on such compromised gasoline-fueled lanterns are generally taboo, I went ahead despite knowing the risks and dangers that are in store. It was due to an overwhelming determination to get it working regardless of everything. It was kinda foolish too. The lantern was first acquired by the seller in Vietnam. It most likely had seen actual combat back then. The parts weren't originally jointed with soft solder. I believe they were either welded or brazed in place. For repairs and patches, I brazed everything up. I managed to get it back in action again after a relatively heavy fettle.
Thank you for your good words of encouragement, I have the skills set to repair it. I think in the end the tank is going to need a make over. I do like the lantern it’s my birth year 1965. The first Milspec I picked up.
Don't waste time or effort trying to fix that tank. Mil-specs aren't rare. Post a wanted to buy ad on the Coleman Collector's Forum. The South's Regional Lantern & Stove Collectors is one of the better GPA Facebook groups, an ask there would be worthwhile. Even with shipping to Australia it will be cheaper and safer than trying to salvage a rusted out tank.
Again, repairs on a compromised fount for gasoline-fueled lanterns should be avoided, even for a rare unit. It is really too risky and can be a real disaster should any other point gives way during operation later.
