Hi Im having issues after years of non problematic use with my stove. So it's building pressure ok, it has fuel(I always used unleaded since i had it). But not lighting up, i hear an initial sissing noise and it leaks from under the gen support. Took generator apart, fuel is coming alright. The 2 fabric on the side of the generator support seem to be damaged though. After installing everything back together, it works for a while, although it's not like it used to be, not burning so powerfull, even valve its open to max. Also when stopping it, it burns for a longer while comparing to how long i remember it used to. Used it until run out of petrol, filled it up...same issue now. Any suggestions? Change of generator or something else? Thanks
The leak from the generator is problematic. You say the fabric on the sides of the generator support are damaged. Not sure what you mean here, but leakage will cause loss of pressure. Another possibility is your long-term use of what I assume is automotive unleaded gasoline. Although unleaded, auto gas contains a lot of additives to suppress pre-ignition in automotive cylinders and detergents to help clean out the combustion products of those pre-ignition suppressors. These don't burn off in a low-pressure environment like a camp stove and instead are deposited, usually in the generator. So a new generator may be what you need. There are people on this site who will argue with me and say they have "burned unleaded gas for years". But that combustion gunk has to go somewhere. The proper fuel for this stove is basically naphtha, usually called "white gas" in the USA. I understand Coleman Fuel is expensive in the UK, and I think most folks there use Aspen. ....Arch
@Levi You can use Aspen 4 as @ArchMc suggests (gasoline used in lawnmowers and the like) or Holts brake cleaner which is pure naphtha. @Blackdog has mentioned in the past this company https://www.zoro.co.uk/shop/automot...2a-professional-brake-cleaner-5l/p/ZT1120681X which offers free delivery on 2x 5 litres. Pharael
I meant to report on the fuels thread, I tried to stock up on the stuff a few days ago along with various other protective gear- sadly Zoro have stopped delivering anything hazardous to customers unless they have a business account and business address so no longer a viable source for naphtha. Why do some companies take it upon themselves to comply with non-existant legislation? Oh well, on to the next cheapest place... which looks like £32 for 2x5l via ebay.
@Blackdog Thanks for the update on Zoro. Totally agree with your comments. I checked with ChatGPT and it confirmed Autoshop was the ‘cheapest’ at £31.52 for 2x 5L with free 2 day delivery on orders of over £30 (and so essentially the same cost as the cheapest showing on eBay). No restrictions of delivery to home addresses. Holts HMAI0202A - Brake & Parts Cleaner 5L | Buy HMAI0202A and Holts in the UK online from Autoshop Pharael.
Thanks for that @Pharael. Still far cheaper than Aspen 4T, but I'm a miser and get peeved at any cost increase. Look after the pennies and the pounds add up to more stoves
To the OP’s question, the 442 may be flooding during startup. That can result in fuel dripping out the burner box / generator support. To test for flooding, start with a cold stove. Pump in preparation for lighting per your stove’s instructions. Next, preheat the generator tube with a hand torch, or by dribbling fuel on the burner top and lighting it. With the generator hot, open the fuel valve and light the stove per the instructions. If your stove runs properly after preheat, the problem is a dirty fuel/air tube. Remove and clean it. There are many references to this repair elsewhere on this site, and links to internal parts diagrams. Enter “Coleman 442” in the search bar. If preheat does not solve the flame problem, try replacing the generator. The nozzle tip may be worn oversize. Good luck and keep troubleshooting your 442. It’s a good stove. Please keep us updated on what you find.
I forgot to mention the Schrader main fuel valve. It sounds like your stove has relatively high operating hours. Schrader valves are wear parts. They eventually leak. If you disassemble and clean the fuel/air tube (a plastic part in the 442) replace the Schrader valve at the same time. Many good examples on this site from previous fettlers. Be sure to get a replacement Schrader valve rated for gasoline. Good luck!
Now trying everything suggested here step by step. Regarding the fabric i mean: see attachment. On the other side it was completely destroyed. It looks like a sponge material of some sorts. Can that be an issue?
Those are burner bowl wicks or pads. From your photo, the pads look typical for a 4xx stove after high operating hours. Sooty, singed, and one pad has crumbled. The pads are there to absorb any unvaporized (liquid) fuel that sprays out the generator nozzle. This can occur during startups. The pads then release fuel vapors gradually to the burner. If the pads crumble or are removed, the stove floods easily during startup. Liquid fuel runs out the burner bowl, down onto the tank (font), and can catch fire. Which sounds similar to your stove’s problem. So the crumbled pad may be a root cause, or a contributing cause, to your stove issues. To my knowledge Coleman never sold replacement pads. Instead you replace the burner bowl. Replacement 442 burner bowls are available at Old Coleman Parts. You could try making a replacement pad. Something from fiberglass fire cloth, stove gasket, or carbon felt. It’s just a fireproof mop to soak up excess liquid. You are doing a great job! Hope you get your 442 running well soon.
Your question on burner bowl pads made me wonder what a new pad looks like. I don’t have a 442, but I do have a lightly used Coleman 400. The 400’s burner bowl pad is a single strip of fibrous refractory run under the fuel entry tube in the burner bowl, and up both sides Next I dug out an almost new 533; In the 533 there are two pads, one on each side of the inlet tube. Again, a fibrous refractory similar to stove gasket. The 533’s inlet tube sits very close to the bottom, so there wasn’t room to pass refractory under the tube. Coleman had to use two pieces. So if you want to save your original burner bowl, start by cleaning out the old pad. Replace the pad(s) with whatever stove-gasket-like material you find handy. It should work fine.
