Fixing A Coleman Catalytic Heater

I just bought a Coleman 512 catalytic heater. I fired it up and it wouldn't stay lit so I tore it all apart, cleaned and fixed it.
Lighting a Coleman heater - • Lighting A Coleman Cat...

[@brianbender3431]

nicely done. i love that you shared the full length repair, struggles included. as they are often the exact same struggles others will encounter. i like your style.

[@SunyJim]

Great video, and just what i needed. Had mine for a long time and never really worked. Other tip is the head gets 'gummed' up with soot from the regular gasoline, and some methyl hydrate or denatured alcohol burns off the impurities and makes them function once the wick is working again. Mine is also a 1966 model and seems to be fully functional again!

[@lindamorgan2678]

I did not think you could or should use gasoline in these

[@flipletape9706]

Didn't even need to fix it, was just nice to see you work after the how to video haha

[@gregp8220]

Smoking while using fuel love it. Awesome video.

[@lindamorgan2678]

Great video thank you . Opened my old one ( 510 from the 60's ) and it is all new and clean inside the wick is brand new but the outside is pretty shabby ha ha. I had a hard time putting it back together and thread it like you did. Glad to watch you closely on it I have to give alot more turns and tighten it up more. Thanks again BTW watch you over a year ago and finally went out to the barn and brought it in and was going to fire it up and thought Oh oh better find out more and here you were again Subbed and hit the alarm

[@jeffmartin1241]

Great video! I love your let's see what happens approach, while being knowledgeable😎, but not Mr. Know it all. I have a 1972 3500 with the same symptoms. I picked it up in the summer and put it in the winter project pile. Thanks for the tips and motivation. You have made it to my very short list of subscriptions. Again, Great Job!

[@danburch9989]

In the future, for those who need to replace the wick, pull it out from the burned end. Those indentations in the wick holder are there to keep people from pulling the wick out backwards. It's designed to keep the wick from, in some way, migrating back down into the fuel tank. Don't need to stick anything in there to free up the wick. Looks like he found that out later. Oops, no he didn't. Later int he video shows he didn't have it figured out.

[@jenniferrose5805]

You are awesome! I found my 3500 and watched and downloaded instructions and no other had such precise and detailed instructions nor were they even close to as helpful as you are! Totally grateful! Keep it up! Ill be watching for you! Thank you!

[@w.rustylane5650]

Yeah, I've got two Coleman catalytic heaters to get going. Was afraid to get started so thought I'd do some research first. Thanks for posting. Now I ain't afraid to get started. My friend gave me both heaters and a replacement wick for one. I'll have to go get 'em in from the barn and get started. W Rusty Lane K9POW in eastern Tennessee

[@chrisfecteau1605]

You got my subscription! The second I saw you holding that cigarette as you were about to work on something that previously had flammable fluid inside it I knew you were kind of guy. I like that you walk us through the whole thing as opposed to trying to make us think you've done this all your life. This is what it means to be Handy!

[@jeffmartin1241]

I thought the same thing (my kind of guy...). My shop even looks the same, less the lathe. The only difference is the coke can would have been a Yuengling. Safety first!

[@thomaswilliams2273]

Thanks. I'm glad to now know how to get one working. I had one that would only work if I put the wet spot on the side instead of the top (I never tried the all around squirt method) and had a full fuel tank. While it would run all night on what was in it, it wouldn't start the next night unless I topped it up. I gave it away when I got an RV.

[@thomasbowen8112]

You're a God send Shane! Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom and insight. Saved my Coleman lantern and led me to your other informative videos! Thanks again

[@michaelnabbadventures]

I remember watching this video last year or so , then just got a a heater first one didn't work so had reference this video again ..thanks for doing them miss them...still hope your doing well Shane 👍

[@joerockme7485]

GOOD JOB . THANKS 👍😎

[@I-Noses]

Thanks for the video. Found one in mom's garage. I can hold my hand six inches away and not get burned. Thanks again!

[@joshuathompson2131]

Great video. I just got the smaller one for next to nothing!! Your video is very helpful so now I feel that I can conquer and troubleshoot this simple machine. Not really needed in the desert but you never know.

[@thomasbowen8112]

Seriously your videos are perfect! You have given me a wealth of knowledge that can be applied to so many variations in life. Thank you and God bless you.

[@jeffstone7912]

I never seen one of these heaters. I will keep a eye out for one. It would probably work great with a big canvas army tent if you live flaps open so you don’t run out of oxygen. Very cool.

[@SprocketWalker]

Just picked one of these up at the thrift store for $4. Your videos are very helpful. Thank you!

[@explorermike19]

Cool vid on how to clean up an old Coleman heater. You can still get the wicks, but they cost as much as the heaters or more. A lot of these old heaters had some folks putting car gas in them which will not work but it will gunk up the wicks.

[@MiguelAngel-pz2sd]

Thank you Shane, I am glad I saw this video, it saved me from throwing my Coleman heater away. It now works great! thanks again.

[@eddiegarcia4680]

Excellent video.just bought one at a fleemarket for 5 buck.it wasnt working.but thanks to your video now works like a champ.thanks

[@SWPhotography]

Excellent .... glad the video helped!

[@garywhelansr5602]

Have yet came across one of these for the camping small size is perfect

[@kenzpenz]

Now that's a science lab. I was betting the big would would lite off first, but sure was surprised to see them both lite together. More neat stuff to watch...Ken

[@SWPhotography]

Hey Ken, I was surprised they lit at exactly the same time too.

[@patrickjones3383]

Good honest video , even shows mistakes we all make . Very helpful !

[@VorSwank]

You are a good mechanic sir.

[@n8mayfield]

Thank you, I have one, never used it before. Don’t even recall where we got it

[@3DPDK]

1. Both heaters are putting out much more heat than the ignition temperature of the match head - so both matches heat to ignition at (practically) the same rate. 2. The Coleman "Dual Fuel" burners and stoves are designed to use gasoline, *but it needs to be unleaded and non-ethanol* . The alcohol in ethanol gas leaves a residue over time and heat. Basically, Coleman Fuel IS unleaded gasoline with a bit of cleaner (probably naptha ... which is what carburetor cleaner is made from) and some green dye. 3. The length of the wick will change the total heat output, just like a kerosene lamp. You could probably push the 3500 BTUs up to 4000 by trimming the wick 1 1/2 inch. As I'm watching this video I am cleaning a Coleman DF camp stove that was given up because "it only burns yellow flame" I have disassembled the fuel vaporizer tube and with fine steal wool, cleaned the gunk gumming up the needle valve left by ethanol fuel. By the end of the video, the stove is back together, burning a nice blue flame and heating a pot of water to clean the rest of the stove. By-the-way, it's burning non-ethanol (94 octane - or "high test") fuel with no problem.

[@explorermike19]

Coleman fuel is NOT unleaded gasoline. Coleman fuel is 40 octane Naptha. It is not even close to the same thing. Don't put Coleman fuel in your car and don't put car gasoline in your Coleman heater. The Coleman heater will not work with car gasoline.

[@timesthree5757]

There is a certified Coleman tech that showed their are no differences between white gas stoves and lanterns and the duel fuel versions makes you wonder. He even ran a white gas lantern on rug to show nothing happened. Well, something did. The lantern was cleaner due to the extra detergents in rug

[@timesthree5757]

@@explorermike19 yea it works just fine. Don’t put kerosene in the heater.

[@explorermike19]

@@timesthree5757 I am not sure if you are saying that car gasoline will work in a Coleman catalytic heater?... My experience is that car gas will NOT work in the Coleman catalytic heaters. I tried many times. Gasoline is not the same as Coleman camp fuel. Coleman camp fuel is actually Naptha with about 40 octane. I have use car gas in Coleman stoves and lanterns with success, but not with the Coleman catalytic heaters.

[@timesthree5757]

@@explorermike19 I found that I need to adjust the wick then it works fine. The nearest white gas for me is 62 miles away. So had to figure out a way to make it work.

[@deanstackhouse8775]

I really like the thorough breakdown and inovative manner you use to attack this project, sorta like a remodel, you need to be prepared to adapt to the situation. My catalytic is is not remaining burning at initial start up and when you try to cap the flame off to begin to get the orange burn glowing it just doesn't do it. That topmost part is blackened and I think must be the problem so I wonder if I can spray it with carb cleaner and switch it to the side to wash contaminants from it then let it dry in the sun or open air in the upright position of course. Your thoughts on the matter would be much appreciated. I'm homebound with temperatures in the teens and ran out of wood and propane at the house. There is some 300' up the hill but I'm having balance and old man bad health issues. It would be great if I could have some heat from it when it's just too darn cold in here. I didn't know I was going to write a book but it's been so long since I saw another human being I got Cabin fever on this Idaho Panhandle mountain. Nice job, new sub and getting notifications

[@smalltownmachineshop6860]

iv never seen these around here but will be on the look out for one

[@SWPhotography]

I just used it this weekend camping and it worked great.

[@Gunnypauly73]

I think you could trim off about 1/4 inch from the burnt end and will work also

[@billyblastoff7027]

Thanks I have a old one that I am sure your method will bring back to new thanks.

[@jayalbertz9756]

Hi Shane, im a new subscriber and i realley enjoy your videos on repairing old Coleman appliances.I had a 512 heater long ago and it quit working got rusted out and i threw it out sure wish i hadnt. Not that your realley stirring it up but i wonder if that being from the 60's wonder if there is Asbestos in that wick? anyone doing this type of repair should use caution. Take care

[@bobheale2521]

great video. Thanks. I just bought one with the same problem

[@EricMcNettCorsairMan]

I have the adjustable I just picked up can't keep it lit, it will burn with the dome off but not with it on, will clean the dome as best I can and get the stiff wick loosened up as the top is black and very gummy. Hoping this trick fixes mine.

[@cnance1972]

Great video my friend

[@timesthree5757]

No regular gas doesn’t gunk it up. Kerosene does. My grandfather ran these on rug for forty years. Nothing happened. The one day he put kerosene in it gunked up. The detergents in rug keep the things really clean.

[@crazycrab8578]

would like one of these, but they are very hard to find in the UK

[@Chrissvarietychannel549]

Just subbed to you Shane. I stubbled across this video and watched. I love old Colman equipment. I've got an old stove and a catalytic heater as well. I bought the heater a year ago for 10 bucks. Have not fired it up yet. The stove I tried to fire up and found out the gasket was bad on the tank cap. I have not been able to find one yet. I got a small little channel myself.

[@hondaxl250k0]

Standard o ring kit from rural king or harbor freight will have what you need. That’s what I use. I have a collection of Coleman camp stuff.. as my last name is Coleman and I love camping I should have . Lol

[@Celistachic]

Very helpful, thanks!

[@barrettstokes3136]

Thanks man!!

[@Bryan_OU812]

Thank you for the great videos on these cool heaters. Just picked up a used one and excited to try it out. Subbed!

[@duderama6750]

Coleman makes some pretty hot coolers too.

[@lisazarazua228]

I've got one very similar. My problem is, I had trouble lighting it so, I ended up burning o hole through the top. Where the "half dollar" mark should be. What can I do to fix it? What's that part made of? And will it still work with a hole burned through the top of screen looking part? TIA.

[@MI_Prepper]

Very Useful Video!

[@marcbailey8242]

Thanks brother good video

[@randylenart9674]

Looks like wood burner door rope could probably change it out for a little of nothing 🤓👍🇺🇸

[@jayhiz3514]

I like your videos keep up the good work

[@SWPhotography]

Thanks Jhizall

[@waterguy5924]

Where's the Kaboom, There supposed to be an Earth Shattering Kaboom @ 20:20 Kidding aside...nice job on this....your repair was spot on, Ive fixed several of these, I smoke and I never would have taken that chance , especially with Coleman White Gas

[@nathanduckeorth806]

So carb cleaner is wt to use then!!

[@Bogdan-xj1qe]

hi. I have a cool man black cat stove. need to replace the catalytic mate. Do you know what material it is?

[@drjoeshmoe]

What if I were to just fill the tank with carb cleaner, and turn it upside down, let it gravity clean?

[@gunner6164]

How do you clean the white part on top of heater? Mine is completely black and gunked up!

[@jasonlogan5765]

Kik azz thx man maby this will work for mine

[@scottwood799]

I have one and I want to use it do I put kerosene in it I heard him say unleaded gas but I would think that would explode

[@SWPhotography]

Use Coleman fuel, same stuff ya use in the lanterns. Ya can get it from Walmart. Never use kerosene.

[@tramellchilds4889]

What about diesel fuel? I googled it and it said yes but there was a lot of black soot produced. Was it because of the diesel or something else? Possibly needed cleaned

[@SWPhotography]

@@tramellchilds4889 I’m not sure on diesel, I don’t think I would use it though.

[@johnwyman6126]

​​@@tramellchilds4889 No, diesel will be worse than kerosene. It's very similar to kerosene except diesel is a dirtier fuel.

[@macspwnufail]

can you put carb cleaner on the top part also, the grill

[@mrlost9014]

What are the heater elements made of? Recently got one it works fine.

[@maryquitecontrary93]

What fuel would you recommend and where to buy (cheap) for an old model 513? Your wisdom is appreciated.

[@josephskanks7231]

White camp fuel works great in these. Wal-Mart camping section or some Ace Hardware carry it.

[@johnwyman6126]

​@@josephskanks7231 Unfortunately that's not cheap.

[@elkaholic338]

Hello Shane, I caught the Coleman Fever awhile back and enjoy your channel so I subscribed. I have a huge beautiful Magnolia tree that always gets hit by frost almost every spring just as its starting to bloom. I thought the catalytic heater would be a good solution. I picked up 5 catalytic heaters to put around my tree in the spring but the one heater I bought on Ebay is a Coleman 5000-8000 btu Gold Bond and looked great on the outside but when I lifted the top and took the snuffer off, the wire and the catalytic part were black with soot like someone had tried to burn used motor oil in it. I'm going to take it apart to see what shape the wick in is in. I was wondering what I could use to clean the catalytic part ? Carb cleaner, Brake cleaner, soap & water ? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated ! Love your videos ! Thanks … Joel

[@NekidVision]

Denatured Alcohol is what Coleman recommends.

[@johnwyman6126]

​@@NekidVision Not being able to find instructions, how does Coleman say to use it? Do we put it in the tank, on the inside, or outside the dome?

[@dadams19111]

Thanks!

[@scottdavis7743]

Looks as if someone had burned gasoline instead of white gas, you think?

[@SWPhotography]

Yea sir!

[@philigan2339]

where do I get a wick?

[@garygrose6351]

Still using these in 2024.

[@keithress]

Have you bought any wick for the heaters?? if so where????

[@jasonlogan5765]

Try to tie some tiki lamp wick together maybe that will fit

[@caldaq219]

I wonder how well they would use alcohol as A feul?

[@megastick9324]

Not well at all, the Coleman type stoves, lanterns and heaters are designed for white gas or gasoline, it takes a different generator type to burn alcohol efficiently. They will burn kerosene quite well tho. There is a video on KZbin where a guy shows all different type fuels tested, alcohol failed miserably. One thing is the efficiency of the generator, you need to heat it just to get it to burn At all, the other is alcohol has much less energy per unit than gasoline or kerosene. So, even if you get it lit, it puts out little heat in this configuration.

[@johnwyman6126]

​@@megastick9324 He's asking about a catalytic heater, not a non catalytic liquid fuel stove.

[@gonagin58]

So, you live like 15 feet from the freeway?

[@SWPhotography]

Chris Cameron No, but as I’ve explained in several of my videos, my shop is about 10 feet from a very busy 4 lane highway with a Maverick gas station directly across the street.

[@gonagin58]

@@SWPhotography Oh, I see. I've got one of those, the fuel in it was so old it stunk up the garage like burning paint. I should do what you did to get all the old fuel out of the wick. great video BTW.

[@2fathomsdeeper]

New off brand white gas stinks similar to 30 year old Coleman fuel. New Coleman fuel hardly stinks at all, so the formulation has changed a bit. Stick with Coleman fuel for the heaters!

[@troypattillo4100]

Hwy 89?

[@dakota813]

What is that material right under the screen? Asbestos?

[@dennisbaril9402]

LMAO - I'd say no

[@johnwyman6126]

It might be, but if it is, then just don't scrape it and make it go up into the air and breathe it. The biggest problem with asbestos was to the people who were mining, or manufacturing it where minute particles were in the air all the time.

[@dmitrikguajardo6006]

Should toast marshmellows to show how much heat theyre putting off

[@dmitrikguajardo6006]

Can these be used in a camper.

[@jameslstephens36301]

NO!! you'll die if you do.

[@w.brockreed3487]

Coleman private catalytic portable heater

[@Jerseyhighlander]

Dude don't take this the wrong way, bear you no ill will but, the irony of your spraying that carb cleaner (poison solvent) all over your bare hands, no ventilation at all, with the "Diabetic" tattoo on your arm in the background... Like pouring sand down the carb of your truck and wondering why it's not running well.

[@timesthree5757]

Yea he’ll be fine

[@claychandler3468]

Parts are hard to find for these and don't use clean the wick with a wire brush. Ruin the wick. If wick is stiff soak it in white gas camp fuel. Burn the carbon off.