Burnerproblem
Modern lighter

Some new design lighters have burner problems too. Flames which are not steady. Or even would not ignite at all.

In the picture you can see the common layout of a burner in most modern lighters. These are not like the Ronson burners. They are quite different.

You can find the problem often at point 2. This valve is clotted with material from the ‘carburator’ (point 4). Most of the time it is sticky too cause of oil (residue of the butane). These oil demolishes the rubber (point 1) too.

What to do about it! Dismantle the whole burner.

- Do NOT disassemble a lighter near open fire.

- Do NOT smoke.

- Be sure to ventilate the room you are working in.

- Test your lighter in water, NOT with a flame

Take care of springs and rubber rings. If the rings are hard, you have to replace them. Clean the burner with white spirit to remove the oil.

Replace rubber 1. You often have to try on to get the right shape. Clean valve 2 by a very thin steel thread. I do this by a stretched old spring. Clean the outlet with a needle. Replace the old ‘carburator’ (4). I’ve got spare ones, but you can make this of the material used for wicks.

Often when you use the adjusting screw at the bottom of the lighter, you squeeze the material into the valve (2) causing the same problem.

Solving that problem I always put a thin copper sieve (3) between the carburator and the valve (resp. 4 and 2). You can get this material from the copper brushes from a Marklin model-train.

Assemble the burner again, place it into the tank.

Check for gas-leaks by placing a slightly filled tank into a glass of water. If you did your job well there are no bubbles coming out of the valve(s).

This method gives allways a steady and easy to regulate flame. Be careful igniting the lighter for the first time! By replacing the 'carburator', your lighter gives a very high flame the first time you use it.

Note: We are not responsible for the consequences of any kind caused by improper use of the materals advised in this site.

We cannot say it enough: Be VERY careful during the proces; YOU WORK WITH BUTANE GAS IN A PRESSURIZED TANK !