Cleaning up a Coleman 400A

Hello, I tried to search cleaning and saw a loonnnggg list of posts none of which seemed to relate to my stove etc.

So anyways went backpacking last weekend with 2 Coleman 400A's that I had been given. They were temperamental at best though we got them to burn after a while and did ok.

The issues I think I'm having are:
(1) Bad fuel, drained and refilled with new fuel
(2) Bad Generator? Not sure on this but seems that most people start there.
(3) Novice at the wheel

I'm thinking of cleaning them up and decided to at least invest in one new generator from Campmor ($19.95).

My goal is to clean up one, if successful I might clean up the 2nd one.

The question I have is, what is the best way to clean up the old stove? If I pull this thing apart I want to clean up all the parts including if possible the fuel tank. I'm concerned about getting the tank cleaned out well.

It's been suggested to me to use Carburetor cleaner. I thought immersion in white fuel with a brass brush would do good as well.

Thoughts? Comments? Warnings?

I know probably more trouble than it's worth but hey why not.

-Stephen

 

Hi, Stephen, welcome to the forum.

400A is a superb stove and a powerul one. With certain care it will serve you reliably for a long time. I will start with the points that require least bother.

First, fill the stove only up to the lowest lip of the fill tube. Never overfill by tilting the fuel tank. Inside is the fuel pickup tube that has a tiny hole on top that is designed to let air out in mixture with fuel. This is essential to get the stove burning correctly while warming up the generator.

Secondly, take out the generator and blow torch the straight portion. This will burn off the carbon deposit that interferes with proper heating up the generator.

Put everything together, and make sure there is no leaking at the joints, and then start up normally. See if there is any difference. Chances are, these will solve the problem.

Also, pump enough number of times, in order to deliver adequate supply of fuel. And make sure that you warm up the generator long enough, so that the generator will vaporize fuel, before you go full throttle.

If you remove the generator to torch it, check and see if the control needle at one end moves according to the movement of the black cleaning lever. Sometimes you will see gunk blocking the way. All the sign that calls for cleasing by fire!

Try it, and let us know, and if possible show us the pictures.

 

Hey, Stephen,

Welcome to CCS! Your Coleman 400A's are outstanding little stoves, with far more power than many others, and EXTREMELY sensitive simmering capabilities!! We love all the ones we have, and still use them.

First off, did you get instructions with your stove? Or, is the instructions decal still on them? These stoves need to be pumped, and pumped a lot!! Also, you must understand, and respect the Coleman way of doing things. That's the only way your stove is going to work for you.

Did you remove the pump rod and oil the pump leather? If not, then that, in itself, will keep your 400A's from running as they should.

I would remove all old fuel from your stoves, and rinse out the their fuel tanks with a bit of fresh Coleman fuel. You ARE using Coleman fuel, aren't you? IF not, then do so. That's what these stove are designed to burn, and I use nothing but the good, old original Coleman fuel.

Next, make sure all the controls are free-moving and that they are doing what they are supposed to do. If you read your lighting instructions, you will see how they should be setup in order to light, run, and simmer on your stove.

Last, make sure you use an open-faced windscreen with these stoves. We use the folding aluminum version that many camping stores sell. Campmor also offer it, both in their catalog, and online.

Most of the time, Coleman Model 400A stoves should not need a new generator. But, if someone has used them improperly, or with the wrong fuel, than it's probably best to have a new one on hand, just in case.

In any case, read and follow the Coleman instructions, and like I say, oil the pump leather, and never use anything but original Coleman fuel in your stoves. They should work for you for the next 30-50 years, or longer!! Tough, reliable, and extremely versatile, the Coleman Model 400A is a wonderful stove!! If you have any other questions, please give me a shout, and I'll do my best to help. How about some photos of your stoves, please? Thanks, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

 

Thanks for the info, I did change the generator on one of them and I think that did the trick for the one that was really mis-behaving. If the 2nd one gets problematic I'll use the blow torch suggestion.

Fresh fuel in both and re-pumped and away they went. I'll continue to use at least the one with the new generator when I can.

Thanks again, I posted their photo's as well in the Coleman 400 forum.

-Stephen

 

Don't throw away the old generator. It may work as well as the new one, after the heat treatment.

 

I have a 400A that is having burn problems too. It seems to be very inconsistent when moving the flame control. It will have a yellow flame on high, I'll move it to low/clean and then back and it will burn a nice blue. That's all fine, then a little later I'll move it to low then back to high and it will either not go to high flame or it will burn yellow again.

Strange. Do you think the flame control is suspect or is this a lack of pressure? I can see where the flame control has leaked (soot), but it's not leaking now. Fuel is fresh Coleman and it isn't overfilled.

I appreciate your thoughts and experience.

 

Try the torch method, lacking a spare generator.

Also, 440A series seems to build up gunk in the generator, when used at low flame setting too often. I had mine go yellow, after a month of purchase, and I used to simmer a lot, but setting the output at a low flame setting.

If you can correct the problem with a torch, then it is the least expensive way. Actually, I recommend you to buy the torch, before you buy a new genreator, for a propane torch kit is actually cheaper than a new generator.

 

Hello,

I have a 26 year old Coleman 400A that has been my trusty kitchen for not only 2.5 decades, but 1000's of backcountry miles as well.

Today, in anticipation of an upcoming backcountry trip with my son, decided to do a little work on it.

Cleaning, blowtorching, etc., ensued. My real concern? The flame control lever was very hard to move.

Being the tinkerer that I am, I decided to remove it, clean it, and re-install it. As I was trying to unscrew it from the generator assembly (which I never could get it out), the flame control lever spun around several times. I didn't think anything of it.

After re-assembly, it has two settings, full-blast and off. I disassembled it again, tried to understand how the flame control worked and reinstalled it to no avail. It lights, it burns good and hot, but the wonderful simmering and overall flame control that this stove is known for is... no more.

Any advice? I have an Apex II that I just ordered a new pump assembly for to use on this trip, but I still prefer my old trusty 400A to keep as a working back up!

Thanks in advance,
Daniel