Hi, I know Coleman do a dual fuel stove,white gas or unleaded. Just got myself an older 400 and a 400B,hopefully I will be able to run these on Unleaded? Or are these just Coleman fuel runners? Cheers Tim
Yep, Kerry's right. You need a 533, Dual fuel (Coleman or unleaded) Or a 550b Multi fuel.Coleman/some unleaded and Kero (with a kero generator) That said, I've got a soft spot for the 400B's, sweet little stoves! (Especially the Black ones)
Thanks for that Kerry,Steve Now the Coleman Exponent dual fuel feather 442 stove,is it the generator that allows this little number to burn both fuels? Are the generator tubes compatible with each other,the 400 and the 442? Am I being silly Thanks again. Tim
Dual fuel means white spirit or unleaded 91 in USA blend Other countries petrol may clog up the generator Even the USA stuff is not garenteed.
My 442 runs fine on european (Italian, greek and turkish)green gasoline, that is the kind of unleaded is sold in these countries. It runs better with Shell Vpower unladed, that is a better kind of car gas sold (for what I know) in all Europe. Just a bit more expansive then regular unleaded. I do add to all my gasoline for stoves and chainsaws the "2+4 fuel conditioner" from Outboard Motor Company (Evinrude and Jhonson store have it) it prevents the formation of gums inside carburators and fuel line in long storage time. It also pervent, in my exparience, the clogging of nipples in my 8R and its Russian clone, that I own and use since 25 years ago. Very little is needed, and it works as written in the label. I do not know its composition, but I guess its a blend of aromatic hidrocarbures. Not the stuff to smell or to let drip on bare ski,. neither advisable to burn inside a confined space. Have fun, but take care. Orsooorso
It isn't gum or contaminants from the fuel that clog your stove if you use gasoline, it's the tank coating. In the 1980's Coleman started coating the tanks of some stoves and lanterns with a rust-preventive compound that would flake off if exposed to unleaded gasoline. These appliances were marketed for Coleman fuel only. I don't have a 400, but I would trust kerry & bajabum that this is one of those. The coating is the reddish material inside and around the filler of this 576 (it wasn't always red): It's possible to clean the coating out, but it is a tedious job and I don't recommend it unless truly necessary. I would expect Aspen4T to be compatible with the coating, since it won't have ethanol or high levels of aromatics. It would be interesting to hear from anyone who has tried it.
I've seen the coating, but never had a problem (so far) of it flaking off... Something to keep an eye on, thanks for the heads up!
That sounds like the pinkish stuff on the inside of the 442 tank I cut in half. Having it dissolve would also explain the rusted out tank if it was the only coating
Stoves turned up Both running on unleaded pump fuel,so running this stuff will cause the coating in side the tank to peel off. The vaporizer is the same on the 400 and the unleaded version?? Field repairs what would you carry in the way of spares? Coleman spanner and the little red cover that goes on the control needle,has any one got any spares or how would I get items like this ........... seem to be rather thin on the ground over here in the UK?? Never had anything to do with these little guy's,fantastic heat and control with them. Think I could be hooked PS I did read of a guy running his 400 on pump gasoline,he was an American?,I tried to find the article. He was also on about heat and quenching the Vapour tube with a small blow touch to clean out the build up of muck.......... bit like the heat and quench we would do on a Primus type burner head?. I will have another look for the article Cheers Tim
Morning, Tim, The 400 is one of my most favorite small Coleman stoves, and we have several of them, all of which work like Champs!! That coating, I believe, is to keep the tank from rusting out, and should stay in there, if possible. As to spare parts for your M400, I've never seen any spare red knobs for the adjustment lever, but spare wrenches do come up, now and then. I can keep an eye peeled for you, if you like. Just let me know. Great job on both stoves, and I'm really glad you like them!!! They are Easy-Peasy to use, and really have a massive range of heat, from roaring and powerful, to one of the best simmering flames I've ever seen!! How can you NOT like a stove like that, eh?!! 8) Let me know about the wrench, when you get time. Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
Hi Doc , Great stove indeed the power and the control in such a small package. I intend to use Coleman fuel when I can get my hands on it. The guy that runs his on pump gasoline seems to be having no problem ........... might keep my eye out for a dual fuel 442 Base camp seem to stock most parts for the early feather models,I was thinking of a few spares to carry along on a trip in a former eastern block country that I will be visiting in a few weeks time. Generator pump kit any thing else? Yes Doc if you come across a spanner for one of these let me know please,I will be keeping my eye out on the Coleman stuff from now on myself from now on ....I like the look of the 576,lot of new models and numbers to learn about now. Cheers Tim
Hi Tim, nice stoves. here is a breakdown of parts from Coleman. http://www.coleman.com/coleman/parts/ProductImage2.asp?product_id=400-499
Thanks Rick,looked at that,still a bit confused which version's of the 400 and 400b I have seems to be a couple versions of each model .......... anyway like them more each time I play with them. Cheers Tim
Can you tell what is the difference between the 400A and B models? Likewise, what is the difference between the Feather, Peak 1 and Exponent models? Does dual fuel mean Coleman and unleaded gas usage? Does multi-fuel mean the stove can use Coleman, unleaded gas and or kerosene? Thanks for the information. Alex
Years later but in case someone finds this thread and wants information. Coleman 400 A was an "improvement" on the brown 400. They added the quicklite feature which means the red fuel knob has only an off and run position. The brown 400 had a light and run position as well as off. Both the 400 and 400A have the separate simmer control with the black knob. I think all 400A stoves are black in color. The 400B is a different animal. It has only one control knob. There is an off, low, and high/light position. The B is significantly lighter in weight. You will know it by the perforated feet. Some owners say the B does not simmer as well as the A or the plain 400, both of which have the separate simmer fuel control. My personal 400B is my favorite Coleman. It starts faster and easier than my 400, 400A, 502, and 550 B. It is as hot as any of them and simmers as well or better than all. I bought and fettled a 400B for my son in law and it behaves just like mine. Others have some different experiences. Feather, Peak 1, and Exponent do not refer to exact models but rather to a line of products. Many models have borne the names. Multifuel in Coleman speak means Coleman gas (white gas, naptha, panel wipe, etc), unleaded gas, and kerosene. The 550B makes this claim. I have two of these and they burn kerosene and Coleman gas very well. I have no experience with unleaded gas in a stove and I do not intend to try. The only one I would even consider to use unleaded would be the 502 with its arrow straight generator. The straight generator would allow cleaning the crud that unleaded would leave behind. I have had no luck reviving the curved generators of the 400 series.
@teletim Tim, I think this would fit. oldcolemanparts.com But, I have used red insulation pulled off the end of a thick copper wire -- redneck fix but cheap.
Here I am, years later again... but the 400 and 400a had separate valves for flame control and fuel control. The 400B introduced the evaporator with the internal wire that let one valve control both the amount of fuel and the size of the flame. Pretty sure the 400B is functionally identical to the 442... with PERHAPS the only difference being the internal coating of the 442 fount to handle E10 unleaded? In short, if you can find 'pure' unleaded (no ethanol, often available at marinas or stores catering to powersports and small engine gas users) there should be no problems that you wouldn't run into with a 442. I believe the generators are identical... the 400B, 442, and 533 all use the same generator... right? The 550B and Apex I and Apex II used a later-style burner assembly with the plenum on top, whereas with the older stoves up until the 533 the burner plenum was below the burner washer stack.
Here is what the Coleman Dual Fuel stoves 440 and with larger tank the 533 look like, all have silver tanks and no feet. No need to burn any other fuel than white gas, easy the buy. Full tank will burn approx. 2hr. The early peak 1's do seem to simmer better/easier with the two fuel controls. enjoy Daryl wet SoCal
