IM Corona Flame Shrinking

[madox07]

Hey guys, I have this little IM Corona lighter and I have noticed something odd. I bleed it and refill it, and right after that I readjust the flame to my desire. A few days after that the flame shrinks considerably, and no matter how much I turn the flame adjustment screw the flame won't get larger. Now I know it should have butane ... I just filled it, but when the flame shrinks and I try to bleed it again there is hardly any butane coming out the butane valve. It is almost like it leaks, but I cannot hear any leackage as I put the lighter next to my ear after filling it.

 

[BROBS]

once you fill it take out the flint and put it in water.. see if it bubbles.
otherwise you might not be getting it filled.. do you take the nozzle on/off a few times as you do it?

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Purge it before filling. Sounds like you have air in the tank.

 

[BROBS]

Purge it before filling. Sounds like you have air in the tank.

he said he was bleeding it before filling

 

[mikestanley]

You might try running a pipe cleaner around the nozzle end of the lighter. Also, I have read that, when you fill, turn the flame height to "zero" and let the lighter sit for three minutes or so after filling, before use.

Mike S.

 

[madox07]

once you fill it take out the flint and put it in water.. see if it bubbles.
otherwise you might not be getting it filled.. do you take the nozzle on/off a few times as you do it?

Is it safe to put it in water? Won't the springs catch any rust, or I don't know ... the gaskets won't get damaged?

Purge it before filling. Sounds like you have air in the tank.

Yes I do purge it, I purge it completely, than shake it a bit more, than purge again, until no hissing air comes out anymore.

 

[BROBS]

Water shouldn’t hurt anything besides the flint. Obviously blow the lighter off with compressed air after so water isn’t inside any crevices.

also when you fill it... try opening the lid as you start to fill it... then close the lid and fill the rest of the way. This forces the gas up out the top. Might have an air lock.

Also try opening the lid as you purge it.

 

[Casual]

This is probably not your problem, but just in case: could it be the weather? When it’s cold, butane doesn’t expand as much, and you get a low flame. Is it much colder than normal the last few days?

 

[madox07]

Water shouldn’t hurt anything besides the flint. Obviously blow the lighter off with compressed air after so water isn’t inside any crevices.

also when you fill it... try opening the lid as you start to fill it... then close the lid and fill the rest of the way. This forces the gas up out the top. Might have an air lock.

Also try opening the lid as you purge it.

Hmm .. it never occured to me to try the lid trick, but will give it a shot and report back.

This is probably not your problem, but just in case: could it be the weather? When it’s cold, butane doesn’t expand as much, and you get a low flame. Is it much colder than normal the last few days?

I know what you are saying, but it's not the case here. This lighter, given their reputation for frailty should one drop it by mistake (and I do tend to be a klutz), is exclusively for indoors use.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Try buying a can of the high altitude butane. That may clean it out a bit. I started using it and it makes a big difference.

 

[ray47]

Quit fooling with it, just go get you a Zippo, you'll be happier.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Purge.

Turn the flame control all the way down.

Place the lighter in the freezer for 15-30 minutes.

Fill the lighter.

Allow lighter to reach room temperature.

Turn flame control up slightly.

Light it and adjust flame to preference.

 

[madox07]

Purge.

Turn the flame control all the way down.

Place the lighter in the freezer for 15-30 minutes.

Fill the lighter.

Allow lighter to reach room temperature.

Turn flame control up slightly.

Light it and adjust flame to preference.

So ... what does the freezer do for the lighter exactly?

I filled it on monday, I lit three bowls with it, maybe 6 relights, and the flame shrunk again. I am going to take action, and do what you guys suggested. I thought that these Corona lighters have no death, I am quite upset about the situation, as they don't come cheap. Grrrr

Quit fooling with it, just go get you a Zippo, you'll be happier.

I have a zippo as well, while they are reliable I do try to avoid gasoline when possible.

 

[Chasing Embers]

... what does the freezer do for the lighter exactly

It changes the fuel vapor to liquid giving your lighter it's maximum fuel capacity.

 

[cigrmaster]

It probably has a bad seal that needs to be replaced. You have done all you can from reading the posts. It doesn't happen often but seals do go.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Hmm .. it never occured to me to try the lid trick, but will give it a shot and report back.

That fixed mine.

Old Boy Vapor Lock :: Pipes Accessories

Seven years ago I bought an IM Corona Old Boy and proceeded to drop it the very same day. From that point it seemed to only hold fuel for a few hours regardless of bleeding the valve. This past Thursday just for whatever reason I tried filling it with the swing arm lifted. Apparently it had some...

pipesmagazine.com

 

[blendtobac]

Purge.

Turn the flame control all the way down.

Place the lighter in the freezer for 15-30 minutes.

Fill the lighter.

Allow lighter to reach room temperature.

Turn flame control up slightly.

Light it and adjust flame to preference.

The thing that most often is the cause of a shrinking flame is Ember's second line. If you don't turn the flame adjustment down before refilling, the flame will gradually get smaller.

Russ

 

[smokiespipesmoker123]

So, depending on the manufacturer, there is sometimes a smaller flame adjuster screw underneath the one on the bottom of the lighter.. In other words its like a Macro Set level screw underneath that main screw on the bottom of the case, which then acts as a fine tune. My Kiribi was like this... you might want to remove the adjuster screw on the bottom of the lighter and check to see if there is another underneath

 

[madox07]

That fixed mine.

I did try the lid off trick, and it seemed to me that it let off an awful lot of air, far more than it usually did when bleeding/purging. It seems to me that for the past three years since I had it it took in a little air with each fill, to the point it hardly took any butane when filling. It works for now, I am curios if this was truly a fix.

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

I used to have a Corona, had a similar flame concern. Got fed up with it and sold it. Now, I either use matches or my Zippo. However, I’ll use a Bic in a pinch!?️