Hello, I know your post is a few years old but I took a look around and was surprised that I couldn't find the manual for the Coleman 431 online! I just bought a "new condition" 1979 Coleman 431 and it has the manual and an order sheet. The paperwork has Form No. 1965-653 on the bottom but I didn't think they made them as early as 1965. I scanned the manual and order sheet for you and joined this site so that I could post the info here. The manual is too big to upload to this site so I've posted it on my server: http://www.gatepost.com/coleman/Coleman_Manual_431-432A-433A.pdf [Coleman Manual for 431 432A 433A 3.5Mb] Even though the stove was in new condition, I had the same leak problem and fixed it by removing the valve stem nut (#13 on parts explosion) and inside the "tunnel" in that nut, there is a washer and an o-ring. I removed, cleaned and used "Highside Leak Lock" thread sealant and tightend it up and all is well. I hope this helps you and if not, it'll hopefully help someone in the future as this manual has proven to be quite elusive. To properly execute your repair, this link may also help you in finding the o-ring and brass washer: http://colemancollectorsforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/431-Coleman-stove-Valve-Assm.-5695090
Well done, Roboman51. Nice of you to join the site & offer your help. Stick around it is a great forum!
Hey roboman51, Many, many thanks for posting this elusive manual! I was at my wits end trying to find a "close enough" US equivalent (the 431 being a Canadian exclusive). Thanks for the advice too! I now feel much more confident as I'm about to take my stove apart to clean it and try to fix that pesky control valve leak.
Hey, wow, that did the trick! No more leak from the control knob, and no more small yellow flame at the tip of the generator. The stove runs like a new.
Got one of those too - incl original carton and (somewhere in the house) manual. Stove was/is great performer in c-o-l-d weather. I also have Century Propane Adaptor for the stove. These can still be had at Cdn.Tire and Walmart ($30 +/-). If you take the stove apart, use Hi-Temp anti-seize on burner bolts, also good to use on all bolts/screws. Gideon
Hi all, just got a Coleman model 431 stove from my parents in law - it wouldn't light properly (ie. it wouldn't sustain the flame) so we replaced the generator. Sadly, the stove still won't sustain the flame. It will light, but the flame is inconsistent and dies out quickly. I have noticed bit of fuel dripping from the bottom of the bigger silver elbow bend that the generator connects to at the back of the stove - do I need to replace that part too? Or is there some sort of quick fix? Here's a picture of exactly where the leak is:
The problem is with the valve assembly in the tank. Remove the generator, unscrew the valve assembly from the tank. Then remove the pickup tube from the valve assembly. Clean everything really well. Re-attach the pickup tube to the valve assembly. Operate the valve and make sure you see a little silver rod at the bottom of the tube move in and out of the tube. Screw the valve assembly back into the tank ( use some sort of fuel proof thread sealer ) and re-attach the generator. Operate the valve again to make sure that the pricker rod pokes in and out of the tip of the generator. Should be good to go after all that.
Err, Umm... VW, before you go to all that trouble, find a old fashioned pipe cleaner or similar, and run it thru the mixing chamber (thats the silver C shaped thingie). You probably have old spider webs in there. Blowing air will not dislodge webs, they're pretty tough. What happens is, the web catches the gas spray, which then drips out the bottom. If this works, save the old generator as a spare! Oh, yeah, Welcome to the Forum!!
Thanks Roboman51. I lived with this annoying valve stem leak during a recent fishing trip. Followed your instructions and BINGO ... no more leak. Cheers
Everyone: Thanks for the posts on the leaky valve. I was in Pancake Bay last week and OMG my 40 year old stove started leaking at the control valve on our 1st day. We made it through the week cooking on the wood fire. I've just disassembled the valve using a 5/8's and a 9/16th wrench. The brass fitting had a fiber gasket that had disintegrated. I'm going to replace the gasket and see if that solves my issue.
This old thread still has my head spinning. I can’t quite picture dragging a Coleman 2 burner on a canoe trip in the Boundary Waters! Brad
