This is Curtsey of the:
Leaking fuel somewhere around the on/off valve.
How This Part Works:
Because the
valve stem can be turned inside the valve housing, there cannot be a
"solid" connection that is air-tight. To stop any air or fuel from
escaping there is a graphite "packing" on the valve stem. The valve
stem nut is keeping the packing very tight against the both the nut and
the stem and fuel/air is kept from leaking out. In the picture below
note that the red (fuel) coming out of the fount stops at the tip of
the valve stem. Fuel cannot turn right into the lantern or stove
because the valve stem is shut off. Nor can it turn left, because the
packing is sealing the escape route off.
For more information go to our Theory of Operation chapter.
Why it is Not Working Properly:
After years
and years of on-and-off turning the valve stem packing may just wear
out. Or, if the appliance is stored over long periods with fuel in it
and pressurized the packing will saturate and become useless. Or,
lastly, the valve stem nut may just loosen up and allow fuel to pass by
the packing.
How To Fix It:
Often times
you can simply tighten the valve stem nut a quarter or half-turn to
re-seal the packing. The picture below shows a wrench applied to a
stove tank's valve stem nut. Location of this nut on a lantern would be
the same: directly behind the valve wheel.
If this doesn't work then
you'll need to replacing the valve, the stem or the valve stem packing.
If you do wish to any of these please refer to our Rebuild Instructions.
