My trusty Exponent 550B stove has a faulty check valve. When I turn the pump spindle slightly anti-clockwise, I can hear the hiss of escaping air. Trying to get the proper tool to remove it but in the meantime I need a replacement stove. Any concerns with the Coleman Unleaded Sportster 533? Seems the only one that Coleman still produce in this category.
I recently bought the check valve tool from an ebay seller in Taiwan - seller id simonchantwus_gmail not fancy but it does the job very well you may find that removing the valve and giving it a good clean will stop it leaking so do not assume you need a new one I like the 533 better than the 550 it is a heavier stove but stronger and withstand knocks a lot better it does have the same check valve the only issues I have had are rusty tanks and clogged generators - a rock solid stove and much underrated in my opinion
I should have added that I have had fuel spit from the pumps on occasion the cure is to clean the valve - I just did one today 10 minutes in an ultrasonic cleaner with hot water and some washing up liquid the valve is just a captive ball bearing rattling around - no spring if a bit of lacquer or goo builds up the ball sticks and you get a leak others recommend carb cleaner - which can clean the valve in situ
Thanks - 533 stove ordered Saw that tool on ebay - asked seller if it would fit the 550B but from what you have said, sounds like it will
absolutely - fits coleman lanterns too - not that I have any lanterns.....well not yet - I am still in the incubation phase of the dreaded stove pox
Thanks both. Ordered the valve tool as well. I have a couple of Coleman lanterns including the Exponent 229 and a larger kerosene one mantle lantern. I will have two stoves soon - the Exponent 550B which has the check value issue and a newly ordered 533. So the valve tool will come in handy. Not bothered about simmering - use it usually to boil water for coffee or to cook a steak.
I see if that’s what you do the 533 is a perfect stovefir that and much much more! Can’t beat the Coleman checkvalve and good call on buying the tool! I love my 229 and 237! Used my 222 and 226 for years camping and never had issues. My 237’s are still my favorites!
perfect stove? not half - and a scorcher too that tool is so good I have been taking the valves out of stoves with no issues just to clean them and put them back they call it 'preventative maintainance'
I have a gray 550B that I hadn't used in about a year. I pumped it up the other day and the check valve was not stopping the air from escaping. After removing the pump and check valve shaft, I sprayed some carburetor cleaner on top of the check valve. In the morning it was working fine. Brad
As BradB noted, carb cleaner usually straightens them out. They can get gummed from fuel over many years, or simply debris, such as from the leather pump cup will block the ball from sealing. Rickybob, >>I should have added that I have had fuel spit from the pumps on occasion the cure is to clean the valve The Coleman check valve does a great job of stopping, or severely slowing air escape, but I have found that they don't do much for stopping liquid. If you had fuel coming out through the check valve, then the stove likely had a lot of fuel in the fount and was tipped. The pump in Coleman's deliver the air to the top of the fount, over the fuel.
that is a good point I must admit that when I light a stove I tend to pick it up and tilt it - makes it easier to work the pump! I better stop doing that having the valve tool is a good investment - I wish I had bought one years ago
Got the check vale tool from the guy in Taiwan. Excellent piece of kit - had the valve out in no time. Cleaned up and now the little ball rolls freely. However, I have noticed another leak in the 550B - between the fuel pickup and the tank. Threads in the tank appear to be damaged. I guess I must have done it but I was really careful when dismantling and have only removed and reinserted that twice over the entire life of the stove. The fuel pick-up tightens into the tank and then there is a small "click" and it gets loose again. Any suggestions to make this airtight again? 533 stove also arrived and burns well. Glad I got it but would like to get my 550B going again.
I had the same thing on a 550b - I found some liquid gasket stuff in halfords gave it a week to cure before fuelling the stove and it goes good this stuff is resistant to heat and petrol and stays slightly soft should it be necessary to get the valve out again I am sure many here will consider this a frightful bodge up - but it works and seems safe enough - so why not
my memory is playing up - I looked for that stuff in halfords but they no longer sell it so I bought it in euro car parts
