Coleman 502 not getting fuel to the generator

I have a Coleman 502 single burner camp stove that is not getting fuel to the generator. I replaced the generator and the fuel cap gasket. I also examined the pump plunger and cap. They looked fine and I did add oil to the cap and plunger. I am able to pump air into the tank and I hear a hissing sound but I am not able to light the burner. I removed the generator assembly and then opened the valve and no fuel was coming out the tube. Help!!

 

Where is your hissing sound coming from?? Is the hissing all your pressure leaking out??

 

Sometimes on an older stove you need to open the valve more than the 1/4 turn that the directions say. On mine I crank it almost full open.
If you do that and still get no fuel flow try some acetone carb cleaner. Spray some in and shake it around good and let it sit for awhile to dissolve any gunk from the fuel path and valve. Be careful when you empty the acetone as it can melt and distort the tank decals.
If that doesn't help it's probably disassembly time.

Ray

 

Sounds like the F/A tube (Fuel/Air) tube may be clogged at the bottom and only getting air from the air inlet near the top of the tube. The F/A tube is inside the tank under your main valve. It might need cleaned from what it 'sounds' like.



sam

 

Yeah I agree with Sam. I would strip the whole stove if Old and used. Most likely needs the tank cleaned as welll

 

Check your cap seal first. Less work, and much faster. A common problem with these old stoves.

Murph

 

The 502 fuel tube is on the right. There is a small hole on the bottom and two air holes near the top. There is a cleaning/control needle and spring inside the tube. In rare cases the spring fails and the fuel hole is blocked. This could be your case. Since you replaced the gasket and the pump works and control works I'll say look there.

 

clean the fuel air tube including using a toothpick in the hole

 

I am going to have to disassemble it. I bought a Carb/welding tip wire cleaner and ran it down the exposed tip and it still does not get fuel. The new generator works on a different 502. The gasket in the fuel cap fits good and I also replaced the pump with a replacement kit. Hopefully, I can get it apart. Thanks for all the advice.

 

Just some advice:
Hold the brass body in a vise (not too tight!)Use some leather as padding.
Use a strap wrench on the tank.
No wrestling involved!

 

Check on the coleman collector's forum for disassembly instructions on the 502. I agree with the comments above, the F/A tube is clogged. When you go to take out the fuel valve my recommendation is:
1. Empty the fount.
2. Rinse with meths/denatured alcohol
3. Allow fount to dry
4. Remove valve stem (the piece the knob is attached to)
5. With a propane torch on low/moderate heat apply heat to the valve body until the red thread sealant between the valve body and the fount bubbles.
6.Clamp the valve body in a padded vise.
7. Turn the fount off of the valve body. Remember the fount will be hot near the valve body.

 

I have it apart except for the fuel tube assembly. I have sprayed the threads with Liquid Wrench to loosen the threads. I did try the vice before the Liquid Wrench and not able to disassemble. Waiting a couple of hours to try again. Thanks again for all your advice.

 

Good luck and I look forward to seeing the problem.

ATB,
Jeff

 

Success!!!!!!!!!!! I was not able to get the fuel tube assembly out of the base, but with a couple of whacks with a hammer (light taps) I was able to knock loose whatever was blocking the fuel flow and I now have a nice blue flame! I wouldn't recommend using a hammer to knock anything clear, but it did work for me. No leaks, just a nice blue flame.

Thanks everyone for your advice and encouragement. I am not very mechanically inclined and you all made it seem easy and it actually was.

 

Way to go!

The 502 is my favorite mid-size single burner stove made here. Easy to get started and very wind resistant, very controllable flame, and very fuel efficient as well.

Murph

 

ALL right!! great work even if you had to use the hammer. The spring might've been stuck or the crud is blocking the hole.

 

I have found the only reliable way to get the fuel valve out of the fount without breaking something is to apply heat. Putting penetrating oil on the valve to fount joint does no good at all because the factory used a hardening thread sealer. It can make a strong enough joint to torque the fuel in two or to twist the bung out of the fount. When reassembling I use Permatex 2A non-hardening thread sealer.

Glad you got it going.