Zippo Flint Behaving Weirdly

[BR Pile]

My fairly new zippo was working flawlessly until recently. I have to flip the flint after only a few lights to keep it working.

I've tried replacing the flint, but soon after I was flipping it as well.

I also tried brushing the wheel with choir boy, but that didn't help either.

Anyone ever have this problem and figure out a solution?

Thanks.

 

[warren]

60 plus years of Zippos and I've not experienced such a problem. Have you queried Zippo? Such would be my advice.

 

[bullet08]

Rotate the wheel backwards few times until it's easy and try again.

 

[verporchting]

Is the spring adjustment too tight or too loose?

I might throw away a flint and try a new one. Never heard of a dud but it’s a cheap enough experiment.

 

[Streeper541]

Make sure you've actually got a flint in there. Make sure your spring is screwed taught. Rotate the wheel a few times backwards. Repeat as necessary.

Good luck.

 

[romaso]

Are you using Zippo flints? I've heard others, like Colibri, are too hard and can damage/wear down the wheel.

 

[didimauw]

I have flipped a flint in order to scrounge a few more lights when the flint is low. But never regularly. Answers are all in the above posts! Maybe try to post pictures so we can see what it looks like.

 

[jiminy]

I never had that issue with a Zippo, but I did have another old lighter that gave me problems. I think it was a weak spring/catching on something in the tube. I've also heard that some flints can get soft (age or being soaked in lighter fluid?), and then that can cause issues.

 

[mikethompson]

I'm going to be the jerk that says 'have you tried matches?'

Could the new flint be inserted incorrectly?

 

[BR Pile]

I've tried all those suggestions already... multiple flints (properly screwed), riding wheel backwards, pulling up the wick (n snipping off the used portion)...and yes, matches; I even bought a Bic

Could the cotton need replacing? It's still the original filler. Is it supposed to be swapped out after 'x' amount of time?

That's the only thing left to do...atleast I can't think of anything else. I never took it out to check if the wick is pressed against the side, as it's still the factory setup.

Thanks.

 

[jndyer]

That is weird. I have several Zippos with no issues at all. I would point you to Warren's post.

 

[mingc]

What exactly is the problem? No sparks? Wheel stuck? Sparks but no ignition? Ignition but flame too big?

 

[romaso]

You can always return the insert to Zippo for repair/replacement (they'll replace it).

 

[bullet08]

What exactly is not working? There isn't that much involved in Zippo. Did you put wrong fuel in the thing?

 

[didimauw]

I've never replaced a wick, but sometimes they do take some fiddling with and or trimming. Make sure it's close to the end the flint is on, and that it isn't frayed or burned too badly. You could try trimming the very top part of the wick.