Explaining How Butane Lighters Work & How To Fix Them

Fixing a broken butane lighter...

[@genuineuni]

You're a good person to fix your friend's lighter!! The spark is piezoelectric (it's just the opposite of inkjet printers where voltage is applied to the printing head). The only thing I can add, it helps to warm the can of (refill) butane first before filling. I guess this raises the pressure of the gas. I agree with Oliver, completely purge all the gas out before refilling. In my opinion, the piezoelectric spark element is the first thing to fail, especially with cheaper Ronson brand lighters; the plastic element case cracks.

[@davidterry4721]

I often call them "pieze-o-shit" lighters XD (but I know the piezoelectric system CAN be dependable, depending on construction)

[@PeterBoscow]

Top notch instructional video... lessons for living and some humor. More importantly though, very clear narration and no hemming and hawing. Excellent.

[@tanzellam]

I just bought about 100 colibri and Prometheus lighters from a guy who owned a pipe/ cigar shop really cheap ! All of them were returned or just never worked from unboxing the problem on almost all of them is they won’t light but have spark ! Your video is the best I’ve watched so far since I’ve decided maybe I should try and fix them thank you 🙏

[@rafaeltorre1643]

Have you tried fixing them? I repair and can help. It’s always an o ring or sponge.

[@mikeep19]

@@rafaeltorre1643 what sponge? Can u tell me more

[@watsonmil]

You are quite investigative in your approach to restoration. I spent nearly 40 years restoring Antiques, … Firearms, crossbows ( 1500's era ) to Typewriter Machines to 150 year old snowshoes. One has to be inventive and resourceful. An excellent video !

[@sraike]

Good job Jeff! I was impressed how good the video was when looking though the magnifier. Thanks!

[@Drakn3365]

My lighter didn't work, turns out it was a clog, which is something I wouldn't have thought about until he mentioned it. I took the entire thing about and rebuilt it so many times, but all I needed to do was unscrew the butane tank and let all of the butane out, which unclogged it. Just empty, refuel, and screw it back together. :)

[@A1FXD]

Cutlery Lover, I just watched your video and wanted to say THANKS. I had a nice gold cigar lighter a friend had given me about 15 years ago. It stopped working about 12 years ago and I threw it in a drawer. Decided to fix or pitch it today and your video did the trick. Thanks again.

[@yordanialonso4272]

Your're the first person i've met that explained something in a manner i understand better.

[@Stinkbug74]

I'm surprised that with all the different kinds of lighter I've fixed for friends I've never seen one with this kind of set up. That's pretty cool and even thou I'm sure I'd be constantly working on it to try and keep it working, I would love to have one. I'm sure someone will find one for me now that I know about them. Saving you video here for future fix. ;) thank you so very much.

[@cutlerylover]

@12eyseandahalf In an eletric lighter, a spring-driven mass strikes a piezoelectric crystal and exposes that crystal to a sudden enormous strain. This strain changes the shapes of the electronic levels in the crystal and produces an imbalance in the electric charges on the crystal's surfaces. One side of the crystal acquires a large positive charge, the other a large negative charge. Theres more to explain but...thats how a small charge is created or spark, enough to light the fuel

[@spikes_johnson]

Thank you so much. Your KZbin videos are great but this one really helped me out a lot. My fuel tank wasn't clear, but I knew there was fuel in it but just to be safe, I put a little bit more fuel in it and let it sit horizontally for 15-20 minutes and it started working again. Thanks, you saved me money.

[@randalmiles]

Thank you, your video gave me the information I needed to fix my lighter! Your the greatest!

[@drantsplants]

Great video mate. Thanks so much for the terrific explanation. Helped me to fix my lighter.

[@sandoval7]

As an Information Junkie that watches massive amounts of Geek Porn, it was a pleasure watching and learning from your video. Well done, man. Very Easy to follow.

[@jay21tech]

Thought I was going crazy not knowing how to work a butane lighter. Turns out I had a defected one. Thanks for the vid, found out what was defective.

[@believein1]

Great commentary at the end, my friend.

[@IceXiao]

hey, u saved my lighter! thanks for the vid!

[@OliverFist]

Before filling a butane you should take a small screw driver and push down the intake valve to release the gas, this is the most common problem with refueling them when you think they don't work. If you have a spark then release the gas first.

[@crimsonviper0069]

what is the intake valve?

[@estheraxenty9452]

Thanks for making this video....and sharing it...Now I can fix my lighters (years of tossing aside in a box ) make them work and display them ...My lighters usually quit after my friends use them....grrrrrr

[@Stinkbug74]

Lol, that's why I now hidecmyvlighters when certain friends drop by, otherwise I have to fix them again. Almost everytime, lol. Some people seem to have a fascination with flames and won't put the lighter down till they've either ran it out of fuel or damaged the lighter, again. Lol

[@EndtimeOkie]

very well made. fully explained, and nice use of the jewelry loupe!

[@michaelellis6343]

Thank you sooo much, finally fixed my lighter

[@ut2bboob]

Thank you, exactly what I needed to understand.

[@nuggt336]

Aye bro this helped alot don't even have the same brand of butane lighters just some I found/bought fixed all of em thks to this vid

[@simonjason3186]

its simply because the "O ring " rubber stopper(the tiny black one) need a replacement,. due to everyday use or may closing it too tight, it becomes bigger and the valve gives only a minimal flame. as a common user the next thing im going to do is to adjust it.+. the more you adjust it to + the harder for your igniter to reach the normal flame because of the pressure. for me the best solution here to save time and headache... close the line of the regular flame ...

[@Saturday8pm]

... don't forget to check the clear fuel tube. Similar mechanism as the one here, except my tube was much shorter and has a more direct connection to the coils. ( BE CAREFUL not to touch the coils if the ring containing them falls out as you disassemble the lighter. ) The tube on mine was twisted and constricted some- how, so I trimmed a very short bit off and this seems to have the fuel flowing again. Thanks, this vid got my lighter firing again!

[@logensamson1675]

is there anyway to fix a windproof lighter.

[@daspiper8941]

~I'm a retired Engineer and I also love to tinker and fixing things. Usually I can bring the non-working item back to to working order; sometimes I can't because the are broken and people don't want to pay for the necessary parts. ~I've got a Kiribi Lighter that's a real teaser for me on my desk right now that I have yet to figured out it's problem, but I will. Kiribi make great Lighters.

[@htancke0105]

I also tinker. Yes, you checked the igniter is landing where it needs to and isn't arcing by exposed metal, like you said anywhere else. 2. It's getting gas by troubleshooting with a flame. 3. I'd check to see if the lighter is happier being turned up a bit (yes, some lighters are happy at a certain gas flow). If No leaks in the gas line itself then.. Before I refill with butan, (and it should be done each time you refill your lighter), turn down to the negative all the way, bleed the air from the tank using a small flat head, and then refill. Hold in your hand for a few minutes before attempting to ignite. Turn up the gas and spark it up. If it's still having issues, check your O-rings...is it leaking or change them out.

[@livingghost9926]

Got it within the first 2 minutes haha I didn't know why the hell gas wasn't flowing after 3 disassembles. Thanks bra!

[@sevenstar1152]

So helpful, great video man :)

[@aalihte3378]

A damn good video! My stupid lighters break way too often. thx for this :)

[@grantloan]

Not a lot of people make videos on them, but a great cheap butane light is a Ronson Jet Blue (I don't remember the exact name?). They are only like $5, the fuel lasts a long time, and it's just such a good value for the price. I see them a lot in grocery and drug stores. They are made for cigars, but you can most definitely use it for anything you would a Zippo. I highly recommend you check it out if you haven't already.

[@MoreEffinCowbell]

It's called the Jetlite by Ronson. Fun fact, Zippo owns Ronson... The same company manufactures the products for both names.

[@nonik72]

I had a problem with fabric dust which disturbed the gas flow thanx for the vid

[@YorgiVonstrous]

Hey thanks for making this video helped me fix my butane lighter

[@social3ngin33rin]

that is an awesome lighter is it worked properly awesome vid, I've never had to open one before, or have been that curious. Thanks for sparking my curiosity :)

[@benbendahan2734]

So helpful I didn't know about the adjustment knob

[@PavlovSandor]

genius. pure genius. and cool secondary function of this lighter. cool.

[@DagnerJayson]

Very helpful. Thank you. Jay

[@peterorozco9613]

Great video! I have a Calibri # 947 lighter/cutter. Problem is to much gas comes out even when I adjust it and doesn't ignite because of to much gas. What do you think is the problem and are replaceable parts universal if so where is a good website you recommend to buy parts. I appreciate taking the time to answer and thank you.

[@sammydeanjohansson]

Hey thank you for your post I just watched and fixed two of my crappy hong kong imported butane lighters that worked for about a week give or take, then simply stopped working even after refilling.

[@SyrianKnight01]

Great video bro I have some of my dads lighters from the 50's and 60's that don't work and after seeing this I might try taking them apart and tinkering with them.. just hope they don't blow up in my hand..lol

[@corbins123]

I'm curious do you know where to buy a sparker mines top piece split and the spring and push pin won't stay in anymore in one of my mini torches and I can't seem to find one anywhere

[@IzzySpeaks]

Thank you very much for this. I was able to get one of my gas station novelty lighters to light about 9 out of ten times. Mine does not have the pilot gas/light? Anyway it works now. I was ready to toss it in the trash.

[@lindaloftus8780]

Love your video. How much do you charge for fixing a lighter?

[@spacet1me]

There's a much more informative and in-depth video regarding butane torches, search for the title "Butane Torch Safety - Beaducation.com". Personally, it's the best video I've found on the matter. Also for any people searching for help, PRO TIP: If you bought a CHEAP CHINESE $10-15 torch from your local headshop and you've troubleshooted it for hours and still can't figure out why. Check these 3 things: 1) make sure air hole is fully open 2) make sure igniter is creating spark 3) most important, MAKE SURE GAS IS ON. BY DEFAULT IT WILL BE NEAR ZERO!!!!!!!!!!! For MOST CHINESE butane torches, TURN THE TORCH UPSIDE DOWN AND USE A PENNY TO TURN THE CIRCLE MECHANISM TOWARDS THE POSITIVE SIDE.

[@Chrmngblly]

How do I unscrew the standard colibri fill valve and flame valves for cleaning or replacement? What tools? Thanks.

[@cutlerylover]

@social3ngin33rin this is my previous camera, maybe its a mind trick thinking its a new cam

[@dleahudson1]

I have a fancy butane lighter that I absolutely love, it quite working and I was unscrewing some things and it all came apart...I have no idea how to fix it. Could I send it to you to fix for me? Thanks Dianne

[@imadethisyesterday1]

@cutlerylover i have a lighter just like this, but no gas seems to be coming out what so ever, would you know what could be the problem? and i know there is butane in it

[@dogbitelogos]

Curious if you have any ideas on why a colibri lighter won't work with fuel and i see the spark? I do have cheap fuel, but would that cause it NEVER to work?

[@Canadian789119]

I got a mosquito in my ignition. It releases fuel but it won't spark. Tried to clean the ignitior with compressed air no luck. Any advice would be awesome.

[@andyl5645]

At the border where the flame should light and where the ignition flame is, there is a thin piece of metal. It appears to be protruding slightly, this preventing the ignition flame from reaching the intended location. If you adjust that down, you should get ignition.

[@ds10363]

Do the electric striker mechanisms last long or do they wear out making the lighter useless?

[@kerime.8766]

thanks to your video my lighter works again!

[@mememeet4140]

i often have lighters that wont work after filling so that for example fluid gas comes out of the top or it only does a short flame .why?

[@johndoe3485]

I think the soft flame is working. I think what it is, is u use the torch flame to light your cigarette and then use the cigarette to light the soft flame as as an option if u need it light a friend’s cigarette who is standing by you or to light it to use as a torch light if u need it to see in the dark. But i think u fixed it completely and theres nothing wrong with it now.

[@madmanmalik]

Was hoping u could help me out here I have a jet light that's not shooting gas to the spark it's filled up n all I was messing with the flame setting n it spazzed out in me n I tried to fix it but when I took it apart something dropped out what do I do

[@jodybubner9439]

Look for the piece you dropped dumb ass

[@keolazzarotto]

hey quick question... so i recently bought a butane lighter and it suddenly stopped working. Its not the gas i think because it says on the bottle zero impurities. Also i do have a spark. But even though both are working, nothing happens it doesn't turn on. I also tried changing the amount of gas when the bottom is pressed and it didn't do anything. A bit of help please thanks

[@MrCanofpeas]

cutlerylover My guess on the secondary flame not lighting is it needs to be pointer more towards the other flame. Probably a metal exit tube for the secondary that can be bent a little to "aim flame"

[@ARCSTREAMS]

yeah its suppose to work fast once you release the jet flame button(ie the piezo) this closes the jet flame gas line but is suppose to open the reg flame gas line and its not happening fast enough and the timing is off which is most likely from over use and badly made parts that wear out, idk if this is fixable perhaps if you tweak the springs for the jet flame actuator on the piezo or the valves are no longer smoothly operating and take long to open for the reg flame

[@alldamnnamesaretaken]

I have a colibri with 2 jets, but one of the 2 jets gives a regular flame instead of a jet. Any idea what the problem could be?

[@les6paul]

Clogged jet. Clear it out with compressed air. If that doesn’t work, you can clean it further with a toothbrush and alcohol.

[@legoking97]

i have a prometheus kkp. ive taken the lighter apart so i could figure out why my lighter wont light. it seems that gas is not being released at all from the tank. ive tried fixing the adjuster knob but that wont do anything.

[@alicialuvyou]

great video!!

[@Goombah11111]

try increasing the size of the flame to get the flame bigger thus getting it closer to the other lighter. i had one just like this, they are so convenient having both types of lighters in 1

[@robinannerocks]

I have a beautiful Rocket Lighter that works perfectly. I am putting my belongings in storage for 2 years and figured I should empty the lighter fluid before storing. Would you agree? The crazy thing is that I purchased it on Ebay and was shocked when it shipped from England to California, filled with lighter fluid in it. I just hope that it works as well once I refill it in 2 years. Do you see any issues?

[@DanielTseng100]

I have a really old rowenta electronic. the flame works, but I need to start it with my jet lighter because looks like the ignition system uses a 22.5 battery to work. Do you know if these batteries still exist?

[@damienminton3996]

I have a lighter and it’s not sparking and it’s a lighter passed on to me, do u think u could fix or tell me what’s wrong if I send it to you

[@DragonFromAA]

So I put regular fluid into a butane lighter not knowing that there is a difference so is it broken if not how can I fix it?

[@andipetriti6493]

how to put again that clear tube pleas responde me ??

[@jtmcfarland3512]

Try bending the fueling bar so you don't have so much butane leaking out. That may enable it to light easier.

[@rootsdat]

Is there any way to convert a torch lighter to a regular flame lighter?

[@defaltmarkowicz527]

Where can I get one of those?

[@philipjdry1234]

Can i leave it lit and how long it lasts?

[@hammer326]

cool stuff, learned a few things, always wondered how they work. I have an Eddie Bauer Firebird, lights fine(for now) but look down it from a distance when lit almost looks like there's a white-hot filament of some kind crumpled in the center- that sound normal or should I have a go at tearing it out and cleaning as best I can in there?

[@johnhoog8279]

The glowing bead colors the flame. What color is your flame?

[@Jberenguer2894]

hey I have an Robson jetlite and it has no spark fuel comes out but dose not light

[@kerokero_furogu]

If there's no spark there's never gonna be a flame. The same can be said for relationships.

[@DynamicOwl13]

I'm having trouble with a torch lighter that has the side plate that slides forward in order for it to ignite. After having reassembled it back together, that part won't click unless I give it a little hit on the side then it will spark and work fine. But then next use it will resist like something's blocking whatever part inside. It's been some time since I tried to fix it completely. And I have another interesting lighter to fix from a friend who has a gift for anything he touches will break. It usually goes downhill from there when he tries to fix it himself then he hands it to me

[@justnotcricket]

Hi, can you help me please :) I have a butane lighter, mine's a flint (also has a jet flame function). I had to dismantle the entire thing to get a jammed flint stone out :( Anyway, in the process I ripped the fuel line. Amazing that was a simple fix (melt the plastic close), however I can now no longer put the damn thing back on. That is I can't put the fuel line back on the valve thingy. Is there a special tool I need? I'll be very helpful.

[@Happycamper808]

i bled the lighter by holding down the gas . when i reached the bottom i struck the igniter and it worked! but why didit work it was the same fluid. is it possible to overfill the lighter so much it dosent work?

[@chuckramberg1762]

Liked you video on fixing the butane lighter. Can you help me out of where to find or buy filling valve at the bottom of the lighter?

[@1221Ralph]

My issue is that both the soft flame and jet flame are turning on at the same time. Both flames are turning on simultaneously. What could be the cause?

[@DOEROCKSAH]

Is there a thing as over filling the butane?

[@2aalltheway258]

how would you fix an electric igniter?

[@thatonethingable]

i got a butane lighter/flashlight and cant get it to work no matter wut i do do u think u can help me out?

[@ARCSTREAMS]

can someone help explain this to me, i have two butane canisters one from fasfil 5x refined 300ml(10.15oz) the other is nibo 11x refined 300ml(5.7oz)??? how can there be two different measures in oz when they both have the same measure in ml(ie volume)? i figured either there was a mistake or cheating going on at first but then upon some thinking about it and a bit of research it turns out the ounce can be a measure of both volume and weight depending how it's written if it states "oz" only then it is a measure of weight and if it state "fluid oz" it is a measure of volume so both my cans are stated in weight so the only thing that makes sense is that the nibo which is refined 55% more than the fasfil weighs less because of less umpirites?? well at least 55% less weight doing the math on both refining times or ounce difference, is this possible it makes that much difference in weight from impurities? but this is the only thing i can think of

[@5part4]

@509g1 is ronson cheap or a gud butane gas canister. I don't want my tiger lighter clogging up :/

[@Sertao2013]

If you go to refill the lighter and you force to much butane into the tank it will create a space between the plastic tank threads and the out side of the threaded metal shut off stem you can see this metal piece at You can see this piece when he zooms in and puts a a magnifier glass in front of it at . If you hear the butane leaking out wait till its empty then take the lighter apart . To remove the shut off valve and housing with the threads on it you have to unscrew the flame adjuster screw . It screws into the metal shut off housing . Once the flame screw stem is unscrewed you can unscrew the metal piece from the tank . cut a strip of yellow teflon gasline PTFET tape its sold at lowes or home depot next to the white tape but get the yellow color . Cut it long enough to just cover the threads on the metal piece one time with a small over lap . stretch the tape so you see the threads and push the tape into the threads with your finger and screw it back in place . Is will stop the leak . The leak is not coming from the inside of the valve but around the treads . The tape will seal off the leak and you will not have any butane escaping.

[@MoreEffinCowbell]

Show us! I'd like to see it! Why don't you make a video of how to do this and post it on KZbin?

[@deadblood0]

Is it possible to find a new ignition module? I love my eagle lighter, and I -REALLY- don't want to replace it.

[@TWOHEADEDOGRE]

What drabs of lighter us that

[@TheKillzone69]

i have had probs with butane lighter some times when i refuel them the flame is no longer wind profe its just a soft flame could u teel me why that maybe

[@cutlerylover]

@brownbear696969 did you watch this is 720?

[@k1111117]

love this video--its really fun to watch. My guess is that there is a kink or clog in the clear hose that goes to the natural flame extender. COOL STUFF

[@heatherrhodge2588]

what would cause a lighter to not take in butane when you try to fill it? I've got a ton that can't be used bc they won't take fluid and when i try filling them the butane just sprays all over my hand and the outside of the lighter?! oh and I've tried bleeding them but it's like nothing comes out when i do it. the mechanical push part is working.. it clicks and I can see that the lever pushes the plastic thing up.. also there is spark..i haven't been able to find anyone explain what could cause these lighters to reject butane

[@yildizQB]

i have something like yours zippo mpl thing...i got problem with it. i open it already, the tank is still full and it do spark. but won't come on fire like it used to...how to fix it? do reply to help me

[@notreallydaedalus]

haha, I used to buy piezoelectric ignition lighters just so I could pull them apart and shock my friends! High school was fun :)

[@McCesarmen]

What's this lighter called?

[@rumvodkaf1]

How do i fix the electronic spark thing?

[@noahben-or4521]

who makes that lighter? it is cool!!

[@microwavemaster448]

I was wondering that too, but now my question is, how long does this system last? Does the crystal degrade? Does it last forever?

[@TheMidnightBeest]

Hey mine started acting up to is there a way I can ship it to you for you to possibly fix it I would do it on my own but I’m not comfy doing this type of stuff on my own especially since I suffer from ADHD disorder and it would be best if someone else did it for me I can cover shipping.

[@MegaLietuvislt]

guys I'd like to buy the mechanism, but without the normal flame, the jet flame only, do you know where I could buy it on the internet? I don't really need the casing or gas really, perhaps you know something? :)