Coleman Xtreme

Hi Jim

Known problem. No worries. First, check the tiny O-ring around the central pin on the connector. Is there 1 or 2? There's a pic at http://www.bushwalking.org.au/FAQ/FAQ_GasStoves.htm#Oring to help.

The early models had 1, and many users did complain they could not get a connection. I chased this up with Coleman who admitted they had heard of the problem but were not able to reproduce it (in the lab).

A key feature was that users had the problem *in the field*, but not at home (and not in the warmth of a lab). The cause was the tiny O-ring: in the snow it got cold and would not compress easily enough, so you could not (easily) push the canister into the connector enough to get it to mate. I passed this info on to Coleman, who re-engineered that latest (last) batch of adapters to take 2 O-rings. That gives the connection more compressibility, and it is easier to get it working.

My guess is you have an older 1-O-ring version. No problem: I have two of them, and they work just fine.

> If I shove it in a mm or so farther, the gas flows when the valve is turned,
Yep, so all you have to do is push harder *before* you turn. Once you have done it a few times you will get to know how much force to use. In the cold it does require a bit of 'male force'. Of course, it does help to warm the connector up a bit first – hold it in your hand just a bit.

Play with it in a warm room first, to learn what the connection feels like. Then move into the cold.

Ah – and carry a couple of spare O-rings in your maintenance kit! It is kinda crucial.

Cheers

Hi, Roger, thanks.

Actually, I am trying this at home here in Southern California where I wouldn’t exactly describe the conditions as cold. I am using a great deal of force before I turn it.

I wonder if I’m missing the cam (part no. 6d). Below is a photo of my stove, and below it a photo from your site (excellent site, BTW). I notice that there is a hexagonal piece in your stove’s valve fitting that doesn’t appear in mine. On the parts diagram on the Coleman site, it lists a cam.   Coleman Xtreme Instructions and Parts Diagram   Blow the pdf up to about 300%, and you can clearly see a hexagonal (on the inner edge) piece. I think I’m missing this cam, yes? As hard as I push, yes, before turning, I get nothing; the canister just rotates freely.

Jim’s stove valve fitting

Roger’s stove valve fitting

Hi Jim,

I have several of the Coleman Xtreme Stoves. Coleman sells a

“Trail Maintenance Kit”

The Kit is still in stock at Colemans and contain one each of those two black pieces like the one missing part on your stove. The Kit also has extra “O” rings and a couple other parts.

So do you agree that the cam is missing? I’ve never seen this fitting before and would appreciate your knowledge. :)

I saw that repair kit on the Coleman site. It’s just what the doctor ordered, but it’s out of stock even though that page lists it as in stock. You can “add to cart”, it’ll add to the number of items in the cart, but when you check out, there’s no repair kit. :(

To get the real inventory, go to Coleman’s home page. On the “tabs” near the top of the page, you’ll see a “tab” marked “PARTS”. Click on it, and a drop down parts search feature will be displayed. Enter “9720-701” in the Search by Product Number box, and click the arrow just to the right of the box.

They still cary some Xtreme parts, but unfortunately neither the cam (9710-1411) nor the trail maintenance kit (9710-5811). :(

Hi Jim

Oh Dear.
Yes, the guts has fallen out! The vital cam is missing, and the brass rim is bent as well. I wonder how that happened????? I hesitate to ask, but did you buy this as a going item?

You will need to very gently reshape the brass rim back to round – be careful as rough treatment could crack it off. Take your time.

You will also need a maintenance kit from Coleman. It may well be that the one for the Xtreme could be out of stock, but if so don't panic. Just buy whichever kit (Xpert, Xpedition) is in stock. They all have the same cam and O-ring. I am sure ONE of the kits will be available.

I'd replace that O-ring too. It looks 'used'.

keep us informed as to how it goes – useful info.

Cheers

Hi, Roger, thanks for your confirmation.

> did you buy this as a going item?
        I'm not familiar with that term, "going item". What does it mean?

I bought the stove used on eBay for $9.99 ($17.99 including shipping).

> Just buy whichever kit (Xpert, Xpedition) is in stock. They all have the same cam and O-ring. I am sure ONE of the kits will be available.
        Regretably not. Last night I tried every possible combination of kits and individual parts for the entire X series. No O rings, kits, or cams are available. They're all listed as discontinued.

I could buy a complete valve and hose assembly for $39.43 (not including shipping), but that's a bit steep for a battered old $9.99 stove. That's roughly four times the price of the stove.

Because of shipping costs, you never get your money fully back on eBay. That's the downside of eBay. If the seller is ignorant or dishonest, there's not much recourse except to give bad feedback. I guess I could list it on eBay for parts. Crud. I was looking forward to have an Xtreme.

Jim

Hi Jim,

Funny that Coleman told you it was out of stock. I called them just before I made my post and asked if they were in stock. I was told they had several and how many did I want.

Really?! I’ll call them tomorrow morning. I hope I can get through. I called them this A.M, and I couldn’t get through. I’d call them when they first open, but I’m on Pacific Time, and they open at 4:30 AM Pacific Time.

I did find out that Campmor does carry the repair kits, but I’d love to get a couple of spare O rings without buying more kits.

Hi Jim

O-ring details here:
http://www.bushwalking.org.au/FAQ/FAQ_GasStoves.htm#Oring

What you want is a BS006, which should be available at a good engineering shop or maybe a hardware store or car parts store. Ask around.

Keep us informed how you go with this. I am sure many will be interested.

MYOG cam – very hard. It isn't round. The flats on the outside could be milled maybe (at least approximately), but the hex core requires a broach (and a press).

Cheers

Jim,

If you want to be rid of the headache, I'll happily take it off your hands for $25. That should cover what you're out plus a little for the hassle. Just a thought :)

-Curt

Curt,

Before you make that offer, you should know that at one point the stove appears to have been dropped and one of the legs broke. The leg has been repaired with JB Weld and wire. It appears that stove can be used as is (with respect to the leg) but I'm not sure if the repair is something you can rely on or not. I don't know how to tell one way or another. I did wiggle the leg to see if it moved at the break point. It did not move.

Coleman does still carry new legs, but they come in a set of three and they're a little pricey in my opinion.

Overall, the stove looks like it has seen some use, but it appears functional except for the missing cam. When I held the canister in manually, fuel did go into the stove when I opened the valve. I didn't see any obvious problems (other than the missing cam and the repaired leg).

Jim

Actually, I don't care about the legs at all. This would be my "hack" stove. I have one already, but I'd like to experiment with something like Bill F. has done to lighten it up by 1/2 or so. Let me know if you're interested.

-Curt

Hmm. I was kind of hoping to have an Xtreme for myself, but this one is sort of a problem child. Why don't you email me at jim period barbour at gmail period com, and let's chat a bit. I've also got a canister that's 95% or higher full. I've just used it for testing the stove — and the stove didn't work. I can't have used much of the gas.

I can't really claim to need the Xtreme since I already have five white gas, winter-capable stoves at my disposal (three inherited, two purchased — I'm not THAT much of a stoveaholic). It would sure make my wife happy, lol. She was not happy that I bought more "hiking junk."

Jim

Hi, Curt,

Are you still interested in the stove? I don't think I've gotten an email from you, although perhaps my spam filter ate it.

If you're not interested, no problem, but perhaps you could let me know one way or the other so I know whether or not to buy the parts.

Jim

Jim,

I sent a note out yesterday. Must have been chewed up. You can find me at: nwcurt yahoo com

Got it. My Gmail is not cooperating right now, but I will try again tonight when I get home. Look for a subject that says "Xtreme" that's from Jim Barbour.

Hi, Curt, I sent you a reply yesterday. Did you receive it?

By the way, there is a brand new Xtreme available at auction on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330337894293