I know we're agreed that pump petrol/gasoline wrecks generators so it's best to use Coleman fuel or equivalent, such as Aspen 4T. Taking delivery of a cheap ebay purchase of a Coleman 400A (1981 date of manufacture) reminded me that regardless of its destructive effect on generators, pump petrol's nasty stuff because of the stink of even slight traces of fuel spilled when refilling. I stripped the stove down, including removal of the fuel/air tube and valve and gave everything a good rinse in methylated spirits before reassembling and refilling with Aspen 4T. No reek of fuel this time and I'm guessing the generator was relatively new because it wasn't yet gummed up. It responded well to the better fuel and the separate control lever these models are blessed with gives an excellent range of settings John
Oh man, old pump gas is a foul smelling thing isn't it? No fun at all. It also clogs stuff up bad if left to rot, I've a 523 here I've taken apart about 4 times to de-crud and it just keeps clogging. No rust. Also, if that was made in 81 it's a no-letter 400. Not sure when they switched over to the "A" but my no letter is an 83. All the 400A's I've seen were also black rather than brown.
Maybe one of you fellows with several old Peak stoves could run auto gas thru one and see how long it takes to foul up and then do a break down with photos. With all the talk about bad auto gas is I have never see the results or just how much it took to clog up a Peak.
Dave, I did that test on a 533. For a couple of summers I needed to heat a large pot of wash water nearly every day, and being both curious and a cheap SOB I ran regular unleaded. You did not want to be down wind of that stove when you shut it off. Indeed the generator eventually clogged up (no pictures), but it heated a lot of water. I would have spend a lot more money on Coleman fuel than I did on a new generator. As purchased, that stove never could be regulated; after ruining and replacing the generator, it runs great. So now I only burn Coleman in it.
Howdy, Presscall, As you may remember, SB and I dearly love the Coleman Model 400, and you have one of the good versions, with the small red fuel lever, in addition to the adjustment lever. The later versions, without the fuel lever, don't hold a candle to this great model. As usual, John, you did a bang up job with your photography of your new little Coleman. From screaming hot, to super delicate simmer, this little stove can do it all. SB has cooked up many a fine meal on our original one, and we will always have at least two of these, and maybe even three, just to make sure we have parts and keep at least one running perfectly. Thanks for sharing your new Coleman M400, John, and I look forward to hearing how actually cooking on it goes for you. Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
When I read the subject line, I expected to see an address for a gas station that sells white gas in bulk. One of my Rendezvous buddies found one that does exactly that. It's located on US Highway 101 about 25 or 30 miles West of Sequim. He found it because he needed fuel for his pickup after visiting relatives in Forks. That Sunday PM, the gas station did a land office business in gas cans and Chevron white gas. As I remember it was around $2.80 USD per US Gallon. I found out when I was already on the ferry coming home so I missed out. Next Spring I will be ready with at least two 5 Gal. cans and a fully loaded checking account. I don't know the name of the place, just that it's a Chevron Station half an hour more or less West of Sequim. There can't be that many of 'em. Eight or ten at the most? Gerry.
I think smell and taste deterioration is because the filthy chemicals they use now. The exhaust smell has also changed a lot. The same goes for diesel, there is some acid in the exhaust fumes. Best regards, Wim
Stale petrol is possible one of the worst smells ever. You only seem to need to get a microscopic quantity on yourself and that is it, a change of clothes is required. I also have to say that I really hate the smell of paraffin too. One other fuel that literally makes me feel sick, is Avgas 100LL. I used to race GP250 race bikes which ran on Avgas, and the smell as we would be waiting on the start grid would nearly have me throwing up under my crash helmet. It didn't do your eyes much good either.
Most stoves you buy on fleaBay will have been run on unleaded petrol, and will quite often still contain a fair bit of it in the tank. I recently got a 424 suitcase stove with about half a tank of ten-year old petrol. It actually fired up on the stuff without any fettling, although the flame was yellow-tipped and sooty. It runs much better after a cleanout and a new generator.
