I recently acquired a Coleman 502 that I cleaned up and have been happily using. For no good reason I decided to replace the neoprene pump cups on some of my Colemans, so I bought a package of 5 from an eBay person called Shannon Coleman. I put two in my 400 and 400A and one in one of my 413G stoves. All work fine. I also put one in my new to me 502, thinking a grand old stove like this deserves a leather cup. But now the pumping action is erratic. Sometimes it "skips" as though the leather doesn't seal, then sometimes it does. I took it out and thoroughly soaked it in neetsfoot oil, but that doesn't seem to help. When I install it, it seems the cup goes into the pump tube too easily, with no need to "tuck in" the sides to get it in the tube. Is the 502 pump tube a bit larger than other Colemans? Will I need to make my own, slightly oversize? I don't really want to do that!
I don't think the tube diameter is different. Have you tried switching the leather on the 502 with one of the others that you know works?
I soaked the last leather from the set of 5 in neatsfoot for an hour. It was presoaked anyway. I just put it on the 502 and it pumps up nicely. But the one I took off also pumped up nicely at first. I will have to see what happens as it breaks in. I sure like this stove. Probably wouldn't carry it in a backpack, but might bring it in the canoe. Here it is in the case that came with it, although the case was burned black when I got it. Note the DIY handle for the pot set. Mine was awol like so many others I see for sale.
nearly all Coleman pump tubes are the same diameter . leather varies a lot , throughout each hide and from hide to hide . that may be the problem , the problem cup may be from a part of the hide that is different. i get some failures with my Optimus 111 o ring replacement cups , hence testing each one . i would mix some new engine oil with a bit of kerosene so it is very "thin" soak the cup for a while , you may need to stretch the cup a bit . if this works , pull the shaft every now and then and soak in oil again . i have stopped using neatsfoot as it goes very tacky and sticky after a while . i now only use mineral oil . usually just engine oil . remember that you do not need to remove the cup from the shaft to soak it . i hope this helps . kerry
Get your leather pump cups from @sefaudi, The Fettle Box, or here in the US, Old Coleman Parts. Anyone else? Not happening on my watch, nope. I use petroleum jelly on my pump leathers, makes them "sticky" and keep contact with the pump tube even without air pressure. Murph
all the same size. I wonder if that leather is inside out? so its not getting traction. Wipe off the oil and rough it up with some sand paper, oil it and re-install Jan
Hi Brad, @BradB The 502 is a nice little dependable stove, hope the pump leather stuff works out. Since you mention canoeing and given your location -- have you done any trips on the Cape Fear river? Years ago, I did a nice stretch just below your area a couple times. Just day trips but other than a couple folks fishing off the bank, we had the river to ourselves the whole day. Nothing dangerous but fun little stuff with a good swimming hole or two. However, I no longer remember where we put in and took out.
Thanks @itchy , I really need to explore the local area. Just getting back into canoeing after a 15 year absence. So far I have only canoed Harris Lake and Jordan Lake since I moved to NC. But I had a nice 5 day trip in the NY Adirondacks last fall. Brad
