Greetings; First post from a newcomer! Found this forum while googling for maintenance tips for my Coleman 431 2-burner stove (original owner, approx 25 years or so). In my short stay so far I see that many here are devoted to what joe blows like me might think of as exotic stoves, but my use of the forum search engine shows some references to Colemans. So, with your patience, I seek some direction. We recently returned from a car camping trip in Northern Ontario, and our usually trusty 2-burner did a pretty good job for the 5 of us for the week, supplemented by a hibachi. A couple of times towards the end of the trip we noted that rather than burning blue after warmup, the stove would develop large yellow flames, which eventually we could control by extra pumping and some patience (a theory developed that maybe the tank was 'too full' and couldn't get the required pressure early on). Maintenance is in order, (long overdue, really) and I found the basic routine suggested by Coleman Canada at its website, related mainly to exterior cleaning. Thus the dig further. My questions: 1. Would replacement of the generator be justified as an initial attempt at a quick fix? Not sure I am up for a complete rebuild at this time... 2. Can generators be revived? I just read about someone soaking a generator for a 1-burner in vinegar but wonder if this is a functional cleaning or mainly cosmetic; 3. If I decide to get a ‘backup’ stove (*grin*) what is the downside of a dual fuel jobbie? I dislike the smell of automotive gasoline but could live with it if need be if it extends flexibility. I’m not sure what I’d be losing in other regards, if anything. Comments? Hope you might be able to point me in a direction. Also, your advice as to whether this work would qualify as a ‘fettle’, a new use of the word for me Thanks in advance! Best, Michael
Hi Michael, Welcome to the forum. Lots of very knowledgeable folks here about and they'll set you right. You probably ought to have a spare generator anyway, so try that first. Fairly labor intensive to take a generator apart, but can be done. Its really easy to take the burners apart for a good cleaning, just pay attention to the arrangement of the crinkle washers and don't strip the screw in taking the burners apart. Be careful with that....it might take a good soaking with a penetrating oil to loosen them. Just soak a rag and lay it on top if you don't want to take the burner arrangement completely out of the stove. Best, Bob
I also would try the new generator first. Did the stove happen to get damp? A two burner coleman can take a while to dry out if it did and will burn yellow for a while until it gets going. Taking the burners apart is not too difficult and cleaning those up can help, check for evidence of small insects or spider webs while you have it apart. I am not sure that, other than a coating in the gas tank, there are other differences between dual fuel and coleman fuel-only versions. I have a dual fuel coleman single burner (533). It works really well on our "summer" gasoline but seems to not like the oxygenated gas they sell down here in the winter. But, if you are thinking of a dual fuel, check the directions with the stove first because mine warns not to use Canadian gasoline -- apparently when the lead was taken out something else (I heard magnesium, but I don't know if that is correct) that is even worse for stoves was added. Of course the best thing is to just use proper camp fuel. Personally, I think, if you want a second 2-burner stove, a used older model Coleman is a better stove than a new dual fuel Coleman, and they can be found for next to nothing.
I think it is usually the generator having the carbon build-up inside that is causing the yellow flame. Beyond that, what the other members are saying will completely restore the performance of the stove. On some of the older models, I found that the generator diameter is thicker than the new ones. If you are going to buy the new one, make sure to take the old one to the stove and compare it.
Go ahead and change the generator, then dissemble and clean the old one for a spare. You can make a tool to remove the spring by selecting a heavy duty paper clip, straighten it out then put a 90 degree bend in the last 1/8 th inch. screw this up the inside of the genny and pull out the spring. If you suspect spider webs, just blowing it out won't work, run a pipe cleaner thru the mixing chamber. Here's a link, with a tutorial and pictures. http://www.oldtownyucca.com/coleman/tech/re_stove.htm
Wow, I am grateful for all the replies! First on my list, then, is sourcing a new generator, as the consensus of responses advises. Should have it anyway even if I can clean up the old one. Tried to post a 'Wanted' ad here, but there's a minimum 10-post limit it appears so I'll do that when I can. I have tracked down the local parts supplier on the Coleman website and will be following up there; it is not too far away. Closed for the holiday today. I am finding so far in my searches that there are many generator models for Coleman 2-burners. Some of the generators may be the same or similar but I do know so far that there are at least 2 lengths to say nothing of varying diameters, etc. There are parts sources shown on the forum which are also helpful and I may email them for as I know I won't be reinventing the wheel. The comments also reinforce the need for a backup stove. Thanks for the feedback on the gasoline concerns. I also wondered if it is any more explosively flammable than naptha... Propane is another fuel alternative but those litle bottles are a costly way to go and I read somewhere that cold weather use is more limited if I got that right. Maybe merits another thread or at least more research. I'll watch for yard sales and perhaps look into Craigslist for the backup stove. The thing about ebay is that shipping to these parts (Canada) seems to equal or exceed the value of the stove in my preliminary look but I haven't ruled it out. In the meantime I can at least clean the burners etc as has been suggested. That link above on the rebuild at oldtownyucca.com definitely merits printing off and the mug (if not a pot) of coffee to mull it over... Merci bien once again for all of this, Michael //*// .
Not directly as in being soaked; it did rain one night but the stove was under our kitchen tarp. Preliminary dampness from that would have burned off I think, and the problem *seems* more than that. I forgot to mention that the pots got blackened more than I can ever recall in the past if that's useful in the diagnosis. When she's hummin' she burns clean. Michael //*//
WD-40 ought to work. You might want to make sure that you have a good tight fitting screwdriver and give each screw a good sharp rap (screwdriver in the slot). Don't hammer the hell out of it, just a good hard tap....or sharp rap. You'll know how hard when you've done it right. Best, Bob
Michael, Now I know diddly-squat about Coleman suitcase stoves (which perhaps explains my question) but is yours really a model 431 as you say above? The reason I ask is that I see you're asking for a 413 generator in the Trading Post. A quick look at the Coleman list didn't reveal a Model 431 although possibly I was just searching in the wrong place. If it's a 413, I see the replacement generator is Part No. 413A5621, cost $12.75 from the Old Town Coleman Center. Unfortunately they've begun a 2-week vacation just today...
Hi guys... Coleman Canada was a totally seperate subsidery of Coleman USA. They made models that were different than those further south. I guess the main diff is that Coleman Canada doesn't have the parts dept. that the US plant has...Nor the support. I gather that some of the same parts were used in both places, but I don't know of any cross reference list. Too bad as there are millions of Canadian units, and no parts suport.
Most definitely a 431 I have -- that and generator number 412A-262 are stamped in raised typeface on the case near the handle. Thanks for the heads up. I will check my other posts, but for greater clarity it *is* a generator that works on a 431 that I seek! It is becoming increasingly apparent that model numbers are confusing, for me anyways Not that that'll deter Michael [|*//
