How to remove remove a Coleman Lantern Tip Cleaner Stem or Stove Lighting Lever Stem

Frank Bebb of the Old Town Coleman Center talks about the difficult-to-remove lantern tip cleaner stem and a stove lighting lever stem. This video covers what it does, what it looks like, how to remove it and what the difference between a lantern's tip cleaner stem and a stove's lighting lever stem is.
Frank is a former Coleman Factory Warranty Center owner, trained at the Coleman Factory in Wichita, Kansas. He brings some of what he learned at "Coleman School" to you in this teaching video. He is a long-time collector and former owner of the #1 selling Coleman parts dealership in the world, and has authored nearly all of the Coleman repair instructions you find on the web today. His "Safety First" instructions with the ominous black widow spider is a real life warning read by thousands. Follow him for all the tips and tricks of the trade he has learned along the way. You can find even more at www.oldtowncoleman.com
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[@davidstreetman2389]

In the land of the blind the one eyed man is king.you go Frank thanks a million for the greatest presentation. 😊

[@GarrettHypes]

I now understand the difference between the tip cleaner on a lantern and the lighting mode of the stove. It all makes sense now. Thank you.

[@stillwater62]

Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge on Coleman lanterns, Frank. It is much appreciated.

[@SteveandSusiesHomestead]

I have the Colman lantern from my Dad 11/53 in the original box. Just broke it down for a cleaning . Guess what ? It has the wrong tip cleaner lever in it . Thanks for the video , you just made my pride and joy better. Subbed .

[@billmoody9736]

Dang Frank; you're on a roll. Thank you for the videos(for my addiction). Keep 'em comin'

[@OldTownColeman]

Yes sir, I have a ton of them on paper, just waiting for the time to make them...

[@davidboeckmann8910]

Addiction is the perfect word😀!! I have a dealer now too😀

[@bradley4294]

You help all of us old Town coleman enthusiasts..thank you, be safe... and love that you still contribute this old technology... never die..

[@OldTownColeman]

Thank you Bradley I appreciate that.

[@funpolice8128]

Frank, I just rebuilt an old 200A lantern based on what I learned in your videos. You seriously are amazing brother. Thank you so much for the awesome info!

[@OldTownColeman]

My pleasure sir...thank you for the nice comments!

[@TonyWatchesClosely]

Frank man you are a top notch Coleman repair instructor! I'd be completely lost if you didn't do these videos on Coleman products that's for sure! I do watch multiple other Coleman repair videos and yours is the easiest and best to follow and learn from IMO. I appreciate your doing what you do and I'm sure you have a huge amount of others that feel the same way. Thank You Frank! Oh yeah what color exactly is that fuel tank on the one you're working on? The 425B that I'm currently working on was painted red when I got it but after wire brushing it, I noticed that underneath the red paint it's the same color as that one. Thanks again for all that you do!

[@bluetoad2001]

i have a 200A with a buggered cleaning valve. i’m supposing the po tried to tighten the packing with a pair of pliers to stop the valve from leaking thus the nut is also damaged. i wasn’t sure how to remove the valve but your video shows the correct tech of heating the housing to free up the packing. thanks for posting ✅👍🔥

[@curtholder6694]

Appreciate learning off your Channel have gained a lot of knowledge from your teachings and have repaired a quite a few lanterns now keep them coming because I can't stop collecting

[@OldTownColeman]

Oh no, not the collecting bug!

[@werewolfpa6628]

(Curt) I too am in the same boat , I all Started with my birth day lantern them the stove an heater came , Now in to it 20 Colemans latter wife was ready to give me a beat down till on day She came home with one . I Laughed an asked her what she had , Her reply was i don't know but i only payed $15 for it at a sale . what she bought was a very nice little 200a dated 06/66 .

[@garyaanderson214]

Hi Frank I appreciate Your tips tricks and parts.I do have a reasonable collection.I went to Sportsmans warehouse in Longview Washington yesterday.They did not have any coleman stoves or lanterns or even mantles.The shelf where they used to be was full of disposable propane screw on bottles.The selection used to be quite good

[@JerkRice]

These videos are so helpful. Thank you for helping us keep our treasured Coleman devices running.

[@OldTownColeman]

It is my pleasure, thank you for watching!

[@stevenwhiting5321]

Thanks, Frank! Just what I needed to know.

[@jackmiller6470]

Another fine video. The stove bit, at the end, was a great added bonus.

[@OldTownColeman]

Thank you Jack. Yes that stove lighting lever can be confusing if installed in a lantern...!

[@lukecapria8925]

I love your channel (and website). It certainly has inspired me. Thank you

[@Bowhunter1300]

Thanks so much for taking the time to make these great videos!

[@benkanobe7500]

Thank you. I have so struggled with my 200A Lanterns trying to remove the tip cleaner. Now I know why I was having so much trouble!

[@davidleon3588]

Thank You once again !!!

[@patk1168]

awesome. fixed my problem, thank you!

[@kurtak9452]

Another succinct excellent presentation......Nice Elk!

[@ayusodos]

Great job 👍

[@Andrew_From_NB]

Once again Frank, thank you for the great instruction and taking us through the repair process. I very much appreciate the time you have took to put this and all your videos for that fact out there for people like me whom are enjoying the appreciation of having new / older Coleman items and keeping them burning :). Proud to be a subscriber and thanks again! take care, cheers!

[@aktrapper6126]

Thanks for the information Frank, I had a 200a doing exactly the same thing as yours. I tryed taking the stem out without heat and of course it wouldn't budge. I did discover though that it was the hook on the bottom of the cleaning rod rubbing inside the valve body. I just trimmed up the edges of the hook with a file and problem solved. I still greatly appreciate your videos because I want to learn every aspect of the coleman lantern and this is a rare piece of information. Thanks again Frank.

[@brushbum7508]

Thank You ! TAKE CARE..

[@davidt2038]

Frank, a big thank you for your time and expertise!! You are truly appreciated!! Cheers to you sir!

[@OldTownColeman]

My pleasure David, thank you.

[@jbetz78]

You DA man Frank!

[@philippmeyer3490]

MANY THANKS!!! This was the missing piece of all your nice tutorials. Besides, thanks for the great buying experience in your store.

[@OldTownColeman]

Do you mean oldcolemanparts.com? Or WAYYYYYYY back when I sold them?

[@leeb4607]

Great videos keep them coming. I always find a little nugget of information that I didn’t know.

[@OldTownColeman]

Thanks Lee, always glad to help.

[@mikekirby1948]

Frank, just found your videos. I have a Coleman 200A lantern, which I received as a Confirmation gift from my parents back in 1968, that has not worked properly for years. Thank you for giving me the courage to attempt repairing it. I shall keep you informed as to my progress. Needless to say I'll be checking Old Town Coleman Center for parts!

[@OldTownColeman]

Good luck with it Mike...am here if you get stuck.

[@mikekirby1948]

@@OldTownColeman Thanks Frank for your offer to assist . . . you're doomed now sir! Lol! Do have one question Re: the Lantern tip cleaner stem. My original cleaner stem turns with no resistance so I'm ordering the reproduction piece from the Old Coleman Parts (I guess they ID it as S43, on the coleman parts list it's #202-3531). Do you you think I still need to find the graphite packing too? If so where can I find one? BTW . . . Has "momma moose" come by again for a reprise visit. Lol!

[@timepp5099]

Very helpful - my '47 seafoam 242b thanks you.

[@TheReal1953]

Fantastic video, Frank....as usual.

[@OldTownColeman]

Thank you Kevin.

[@GuiAlegria]

I'm trying do restore a TK-6 here in Brazil, the most difficult part is to find parts. Thanks for the video!

[@marcp1180]

Another informative video, thanks.

[@OldTownColeman]

My pleasure Marc!

[@teridacktaljones4553]

Love these videos.

[@OldTownColeman]

Thank you, I'm glad you like them. Your KZbin handle is awesome!

[@briced.hornback1062]

GREAT Video! Thanks again Frank!

[@OldTownColeman]

My pleasure!

[@briced.hornback1062]

@@OldTownColeman Frank, how do you replace the packing? I've got some graphite ribbon from oldcolemanparts.com. Is this what is used? How? THANKS!!!

[@ayusodos]

ILL BE WATCHING MORE OF YOUR VIDEOS

[@Krankie_V]

Another good one Frank! Glad to see a few new uploads here recently. I just picked up a neat Prentiss-Wabers stove recently. Finding parts is proving to be a little tricky, but it's a really neat little stove. Most of the Coleman knowledge/principles/procedures also apply to the preway stove as well. Good stuff!

[@OldTownColeman]

Oh yes sir, a pressure device is a pressure device is a pressure device. Some of the PW stoves are really cool. Best of luck with it!

[@davidboeckmann8910]

I'll be damned!! I just got my dads 200a fully functional! But the gen tip cleaner is in wrong direction when it's "wide open"!!!! Thank you again frank!!!!!!!!

[@Farron1960]

I have two 200a in need of this repair, now I know. wonderful I'm ordering new parts today. Here is a tip to anyone working on 200a. Don't mess with the tip cleaning unless there is a problem, don't try to take it apart just to look at it. It's a royal pain in the A_ _.

[@OldTownColeman]

Oh absolutely, if you don't need to mess with it, don't. It very rarely goes bad, and it rarely leaks due to a worn out packing.

[@ushillbillies]

GOOD STUFF

[@OldTownColeman]

Thank you!

[@k.2700]

Thank you for making this video. Refer to your video. Successfully disassembled Cleaner Stem. Thank you very much.please come on. Follow you.

[@levislanterntime1926]

Fantastic video Frank! Love your content. Fettling used to be such a drag because it’s so easy to break stuff if ya don’t know what you’re doing. Now, it’s easy as pie!

[@OldTownColeman]

Really happy that you like them--I appreciate it.

[@levislanterntime1926]

@@OldTownColeman it’s impossible to not to like em!

[@shoewriter5408]

I like the vice mounted tank hold down. Good secure idea. Factory idea?

[@OldTownColeman]

Are you speaking of the wooden one or the aluminum one from the clamp video?

[@jone.7819]

Great video Frank, I saw a video of a guy who had a 200A and the tip cleaner worked in reverse, someone must have put a tip cleaner from a stove in that lantern I guess

[@OldTownColeman]

Exactly. I was baffled when I experienced my first upside-down tip cleaner.

[@chriswebb6153]

My favorite part of you is your nappy hair. It's great.

[@OldTownColeman]

Chris, thank you. Someday I'll disclose the numerous reasons I wear it long.

[@ayusodos]

I'm actually looking for a Coleman stove converter I was wondering if you made a video about

[@abuabdullah7328]

Nice video as usual Frank. Thanks for sharing. The question is what can you exchange it with if you can't find a replacement. I think you can repack it with rolling graphite. Keep up the good work my friend.

[@OldTownColeman]

Yes I think you could if you did not have anything else. You can order from oldcolemanparts or is shipping real expensive?

[@abuabdullah7328]

@@OldTownColeman not really it a very lightweight item. But it is always good to have plan B if nothing available.

[@jerrybishop9515]

I have a 523 military stove and the tip cleaner snappedin the assembly. I can get needle nose pliers but it isnt budging. I am looking for some advice as to getting the remnents out so I can put a new one in. I got a few from you last month so I would have them. Thanks

[@may2888]

Great information. I thought there was a lantern that was bass ackwards, like a 242 or something.

[@OldTownColeman]

Well the clocking of a 242 is bass ackwards, but I've never seen a tip cleaner that way, other then when lighting levers are installed as tip cleaners...

[@GeorgePaul-dz9bi]

About 50 or more (I’m 79 now) we had Homestead ranch in Shuswap mountains in southern BC, Canada and there was a very nice Aladdin kerosene burning refrigerator in the root cellar. It worked using the round Aladdin wick burner on top or the kerosene filler tank at the bottom of the this refrigerator. Probably some motor homes use the same technology with propane . Do you know if such “exotic” refrigerators are still used when there’s no electricity or other alternatives? Let me know.

[@user-pr2ql8fl6v]

Hello I love your show. I’ve learned a lot from you. My name is Wayne. I live in Yuma Arizona just a quick question. I came across a Coleman peak one 400 stove and I don’t know where or how to replace the graphite little beads or whatever they are called on the lever, that lights, and. And cleans left to right there are some broken graphite beads that are on that Rod. How do I replace them or do I replace a whole rod even if I could find one any help would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance.

[@danielbruinsma4049]

I'm trying to figure out the same thing have you had any luck figuring out what to do

[@mikelm6198]

Hell frank I have one with the double nut but I'm getting fuel coming out the end of the vaule and catching fire, upon removing the valve my packing is gone where can I go get a new packing for that style or are there any good substitute?

[@Farron1960]

On a 200a I did as you showed to remove the cleaner lever. However after getting it hot with my propane torch I put my vise grips on the lever and gave it a big pull and it came out, however the little round brass piece at the end stayed inside the valve body. I thought about drilling it out, I thought about getting it hot again tapping the little hole in the middle of the brass putting a little screw in the newly tapped hole and maybe pulling it out that way. Any suggestions how to pull out that old brass and so I can put the new tip cleaner assembly in? Thank you

[@davebarlow4909]

Hey Frank, I've been trying to resurrect my Coleman 533 stove. I replaced the rubber o rings on the valve and it did work ok for a spell. I removed the pick up tube for a quick inspection. After rebuilding I fired it up but it was mainly air that came out and it soon ran out of pressure. I opened the filler cap and There was plenty of pressure available, just not getting past the valve. Any ideas please. Thanks

[@slickmouf879]

I have a 413e that I just picked up with the copper tank exactly like the one in your video. My lighting lever is very very hard to turn. I've loosened the nut up a little bit and that didn't help, so I loosen the nut up all the way until I can turn it with my fingers very loosely and it still did not loosen the lever up. I know that this is something I should not mess with because of the graphite lead packing... So I'm wondering what my issue is. it doesn't leak in that area at all but the lever is extremely hard to turn. I haven't tried to see if the lever leaks now that I have loosened up the nut and tightened it back up, but I will see in the morning and hopefully sometime this week you can let me know what the issue is with this lever being so stiff and tight. Thanks for your videos you're amazing

[@OldTownColeman]

Thank you for the nice comment! You have a great deal of resistance between the stem and the packing--probably due to the age of the stove and/or a little fuel varnish inside the packing. You can try getting some spray grease or maybe even WD40 inside the packing to loosen it up, but you definitely need to keep the nut tight as it will leak if you don't. If all else fails, you'll need to replace the lighting lever stem...

[@slickmouf879]

@@OldTownColeman thanks Frank. I really appreciate the advice I guess I'll just use my Leatherman to turn it until it starts to leak and then I'll replace the lever all together. By any chance could I bug you for the part number on that lever if you know right off hand? And maybe the best place to get one?

[@frankmarullo228]

Frank,, good video. ( as always )my question is I have quite a few old lanterns how do I get the font as shiny as the ones on your tool box ?? Are they repainted ?? If They are repainted what type of paint and is there a paint number ? Let me know brother.. Thank you Frank from montana...

[@OldTownColeman]

Hello again Frank! No sir, none are painted. I rebuilt the 220E so the fount was cleaned with rubbing compound and then waxed. The newer lantern has not been cleaned yet, the fount is pretty nice but the rest of the lantern is rusty.

[@Bucky1836]

6:30

[@donaldlefevre3012]

Where can I send my lantern to get it overhauled?

[@kenc5156]

Is the lighting lever from a stove, and the tip cleaner from a lantern, the same size?? I have an old stove that works, so I have not torn it down. But, to light, the lever needs to be Down! I've figured that it really needs to be taken apart and cleaned, But after watching this, I'm wondering if at some point someone could have put a tip cleaner in it.

[@waynebarrett7133]

Why is it so hard for me to find the generator and regulator assembly for a peak one 400 a stove I have leaking coming out on the little arm that swings left and right what can I do? Thank you.

[@lampcollector5315]

do you still sell lanterns

[@Krankie_V]

I guess I need to get a whole new top cleaner stem for my 228E. Looks like you can't just replace the packing, eh? Mine is very hard to turn.

[@OldTownColeman]

Yes, you can replace the tip cleaner stem on a 228E. It is one of the few stems you can remove and replace easily.

[@Krankie_V]

@@OldTownColeman I referred back to your video in the dual mantle lanterns, replaced both the valve packing and the tip cleaner stem and now the unit is a pleasure to use. Thanks a lot for making these videos, Frank. They are very helpful.

[@awh5773]

Dear sir. I have my grandfather's 413D stove. I can't find a listing for a 413D generator. Would the generator for another stove work. It still works very well. But having a spare part makes me feel better. Thank you for what you do helping people and any help on this would be greatly appreciated

[@levislanterntime1926]

You will almost never need to replace a stove generator. You just clean it. Take it apart and soak it all and vinegar and clean off all the gunk

[@OldTownColeman]

You can still buy a generator for your stove, part number is 413A5621. I would assume that oldcolemanparts.com carries them. Here is the parts illustration: oldtowncoleman.com/manuals/parts_413D.pdf

[@awh5773]

@@OldTownColeman thank you so very much. I have so many memories of my grandfather and this stove. Thank you for helping us to keep our memories alive

[@mustafabashir8127]

hey frank! just acquired an old 220f lantern that was made in 64 I believe. I took it apart and cleaned it put it back together and while waiting for a generator, I pumped it up and kept my thumb over fuel hole (I think my gasket is bad) and cracked the valve and no matter what I do im not getting a hissing noise of noise coming through. any tips??

[@OldTownColeman]

Take it back apart and look to see what is wrong. If it still isn't allowing air to pass please email me at [e-mail] and I'll help you figure it out.

[@mustafabashir8127]

@@OldTownColeman thank you very much! will do. God Bless

[@user-ky5yw7fu1n]

Hey Frank. The lever broke when I tried to heat up and pull out the assembly, so graphite packing and the other brass piece are now stuck. Is there anyway to get them out?

[@aktrapper6126]

I would think you should be able to pick the packing out with a small screw driver.

[@baaboo21]

Hello, I have a coleman 523 dual burner stove. The tip cleaners were really seized. Trying to turn the knob made the metal tip shear off. I have been slowly digging out the graphite from the assembly ro try and remove the tip cleaner stem and its other components without any luck. How does one remove a really seized assembly? Thank you.

[@OldTownColeman]

You have a 523 military burner? Nice! That packing and stem are going to be a pain to get out, but you should be able to. Hit the area on the valve real hard with a heat gun. This will loosen up the varnish and hopefully allow you to free everything.

[@GarrettHypes]

Why are the newer lanterns minus the tip cleaner?

[@Krankie_V]

It is built into the control valve. Every time you turn it off, it operates the tip cleaner.

[@whalekock]

Is there a way to replace the eccentric block without destroying the old cleaner stem?

[@OldTownColeman]

Will, not really. I have had them come out unusually easy, to a point where they probably would have gone back in. But generally speaking the stem will become straightened during removal. I assume we're talking single mantle...

[@whalekock]

@@OldTownColeman yeah A 200a. The cleaner binds up at 3 O'clock so I'm assuming the block is bent. I can still turn it all the way around but it is has a lot of resistance.

[@TheIrishAmish]

Hmm,,,,,,how often is it encountered that someone has substituted a stove lever for a lantern lever and vice versa I wonder? Would give a guy conniptions trying to light!

[@Scannerhead]

Thanks Frank for all the awesome videos ! Learn something new every time. I'm with Bill, Keep 'em coming. BTW love the hair.

[@OldTownColeman]

My pleasure! God cut my hair once (chemotherapy) and he will probably be my only barber...lol.