Repairing a Leaking Coleman Stove

I would once again like to thank my father for the work he put in to fix this stove -- and the small amount of camera work he did.
I have used this stove three more times in the week since the fix, and no recurrence of leakage has occurred.
Playlist of other making/fixing stuff I have done: • Projects and Repairs
This video was filmed in mid August 2019.

[@mikemorgan5015]

Ok, a few things here. FIrst off, while I don't claim to be THE authority on liquid fueled appliances like stoves, I HAVE done my homework and repaired or rebuilt literally several HUNDREDS of them over the years. I also did a lot of plumbing with my late father who taught me a lot about valves, threads, packings, teflon tape, and other sealing compounds as well as where to use them and where not to. Teflon tape is not for naptha(Coleman fuel) or gasoline unless the label states so. "Gas" teflon tape is high density thick tape that is usually yellow and is for NATURAL GAS piping. The cheap white stuff is often LOW density micro thin stuff. There ARE specialty tapes out there like Blue Monster Oxy Clutch tape that specifically list gasoline. But most do not. Regardless none are for this application. The reasons follow. Teflon tape or any other sealing compound SHOULD NOT be applied to packing nut threads as those threads are not sealing threads and should never see fuel if the packing is working. Teflon tape or any other sealing compound SHOULD NOT be applied to valve stem threads as they are not sealing threads either. And valve operation will shred it over time, and little pieces of it will migrate into the generator where it will burn. When teflon burns, it gives off deadly toxic gases. Now there will not likely be enough of it in there to kill you, but it's still a no-no and a no-go. The graphite valve stem packing is what seals it. You can ALMOST ALWAYS fix a leaking valve stem packing by simply tightening that packing nut. It can help to do that while slowly rotating the valve back and forth. As it compresses, it will grip tighter on the stem and will be a little harder to turn. But graphite is a lubricant and with use, will get better over time. You may be able to tighten it and back it off a bit to allow easier operation. Most likely, the teflon did nothing here, it was the tightening of the packing nut when you reassembled it that compressed the packing as designed that stopped it. I recommend taking it apart and removing the teflon from this. If that DOESN'T fix it, there are tons of videos on KZbin about replacing Coleman valve stem packings properly. Just because it worked, doesn't mean it was right. THIS is one of those circumstances.

[@bigboybigbird6818]

Absolutely correct, wrong tape and using it in wrong application.

[@ChetBaker947]

It’s 2023 and this advice still applies. I had a leak on a 1983 Coleman (with fuel pooling just like in the vid). I did NOT add Teflon tape. I just tightened the packing nut and there are no leaks - even under high pressure. Thank you, man!

[@steve00055]

went to cook one day ... FOUND IT WAS LEAKING !!! FOUND THE LIGHTING / COOKING PIN WAS LOOSE !!! GOT ANY SET OF SIMPLE PLIERS AND TIGHTENED IT ... PROBLEM SOLVED !!! HOW DID IT GET LOOSE ??? NO IDEA !!!

[@ericmeechglobalnetwork2273]

thanks for this.

[@milekh6681]

You need to replace the 3/16 or 1/4 valve stem packing depending as to which size you need you only have to measure the thickness of the stem …. it’s only $3 and that thread tape is made for WATER

[@stefeniedavidmusic]

You should use the yellow tape for gas. The white tape is for water joints.

[@cillaloves2fish688]

Maybe shudda cleaned the black gunk off that long piece before putting it back together... But this was helpful!

[@chrisssmallengines7163]

Research any repair advise , never take advise from a single source always check it to make sure it is correct not someone's bright idea .

[@mikecagle984]

Had to turn you off. Sorry, but could barely hear you....