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Old Jun 9, 2010 | 09:43 AM
  #1  
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From: Northern New Mexico
Zippo

I have a serious ignition problem. Despite new flints and keeping the fuel level up with genuine Ronson fluid (which is getting hard to find) it is taking six to ten attempts to achieve ignition. I have timmed the wick= made it longer, made it flair to improve air mix but still am plauged by faulty combustion.

If we can get a Saturn V off the pad, I ought to be able to light my Zippo.

Is there any advice you Rocket Scientists can offer?
 
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Old Jun 9, 2010 | 11:02 AM
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From: Sin City
Bwaaahaaahaaa. Too funny. I have never had an ignition problem with a Zippo. I just looked at mine, and the wick is just barely below the top of the windscreen. Is there plenty of wick still left in the fill chamber? I use Zippo fuel and flints. Always lights 1st time.
 
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Old Jun 9, 2010 | 11:38 AM
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time to switch to bics
 
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Old Jun 9, 2010 | 11:42 AM
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From: Sin City
Originally Posted by rockin300
time to switch to bics
Can't do this with a bic though. lol

YouTube - zippo tricks
 
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Old Jun 9, 2010 | 11:43 AM
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no but you can mess with the flame and make it into a eyebrow killer
 
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Old Jun 9, 2010 | 12:40 PM
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All of my Zippo lighters are empty and put away.

When I did use Zippo lighters, open the lighter, and lift the lighter (like when making a 'toast') then lower it before attempting to light it.
This eliminates the 'vapor lock' and allows the lighter to light.

Also, 'gut' a Bic lighter and retrieve the flint from it.
The Bic flints are long-lasting and produce a great spark!

Zippo lighters will light, or send them back to Zippo. They used to fix them free of charge.
 
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Old Jun 9, 2010 | 05:44 PM
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The OP reminded me of this movie:
Nar?yti / Vaizdo ?ra?ai / Quentin Tarantino Four Rooms Netlog klube
(language warning)
 
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Old Jun 9, 2010 | 07:48 PM
  #8  
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Maybe the spring that holds the flint is wore out, that's what happened to mine it wasn't pressing it against the wheel hard enough.... .. but you would feel that when you go to light it.
 
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Old Jun 9, 2010 | 07:59 PM
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My dads cabin is near Bradford, PA, home of Zippo. I've toured the factory and museum. What a fascinating company history!
My mother was born in Bradford and Zippo was a major employer. My aunt worked there for 20 years before moving over to Corning Glass, just up the road in Corning, NY.

Here is repair info:
http://www.zippo.com/repairs/index.aspx?bhcp=1
 
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Old Jun 9, 2010 | 08:17 PM
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I have 2 zippos that need fixing. the case hinge is loose and wobbles. can you just send in the case and not the inside part?
 
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Old Jun 9, 2010 | 08:29 PM
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never had a problem with mine..other than the fuel seems to run out fast
 
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Old Jun 9, 2010 | 10:31 PM
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The last one I had do this I tweaked the wick a bit closer to the wheel, and it started lighting just fine.
 
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Old Jun 9, 2010 | 11:33 PM
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I was thinking spring too.

We used to buy Zippo lighters at the ship store (had the ship's emblem on it) and barter them for lots of drinks at the crappy bars in the Mediterranean. It was a great deal. Sure wish I had kept one for myself though...
 
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Old Jun 10, 2010 | 04:33 AM
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Originally Posted by modar
I have 2 zippos that need fixing. the case hinge is loose and wobbles. can you just send in the case and not the inside part?
I sent one in last year without guts in it, they sent it back with new ones. My uncle sent one with guts in it, the sent it back with new guts installed, and old ones in the box.
 
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Old Jun 10, 2010 | 05:44 AM
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They provide customer service that was once common in the 50's and 60's.
Pretty rare these days. Craftsman and LL Bean still do it (for the most part), but you have to look harder and harder to find service like that.
 
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