Zippo help!

L

LongDistance

Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
319
Hello, I had my trusty Zippo for over two years now. However, yesterday, the "wheel-that-you-spin" to ignite a spark (I think it is called the flint), stopped working. Like it was very very difficult to turn the wheel and ignite a spark. The Zippo still works, but the wheel is just not turning, like it is stuck on something. I'm pretty sure I have to remove the wheel and clear whatever is jamming it, but I have no experiance in taking apart a Zippo and want to hear some expert advice before doing it. Plus, I have a tendacy to break things while fixing things... :rolleyes:
 
That happens every time you wear out a flint. (The wheel is not the flint.) Pull the lighter up out of its case just as you would to fill it. You'll notice a screw in the middle of the cotton. Unscrew that and pull out the long spring inside the tube. Knock the remains of the old flint out. (It got worn so thin it got sideways and jammed the wheel.) Drop a new flint into the tube, insert the spring, and screw in the screw.

You don't need a screwdriver; the screw slot is made to fit a coin.
 
Try pulling the flint out from the bottom. It's the little screw where you fill the lighter with fuel. If the wheel works then, the flint is the problem. Maybe the flint needs to be replaced.
 
It could be that your flint has gotten worn-down to a sliver, and it's jamming between the sparkwheel and the flint outlet hole. Check for a wedge of flint that's sticking-out at a weird angle, between the sparkwheel and the flint holder. If you see a small wafer of flint, try pulling it out with needle-nose pliers.

If you don't see an obvious chip of flint that's jamming up the works, first thing I'd suggest doing is to try reversing the sparkwheel, the opposite direction of trying to strike a spark. Reverse it far enough, about 1/8-1/4", then try starting your Zippo again. It could/should light.

If your sparkwheel is still stuck, and you still can't light your lighter, I'd take the case off of your lighter, then unscrew the flint holder, allowing the flint to fall out. Without the spring tension against the flint and, thereby, against the sparkwheel, try rotating your sparkwheel again. A small piece of flint might spill out on your floor or desk, having become dislodged.

Try those and see if they help. Anything further than removing the case and the flint spring from a Zippo, and I'll be sending it back to Zippo....

GeoThorn
 
When you loosen the screw on the bottom, keep your finger on it or the spring will send it into orbit!
 
As the old saying goes," If it ain't broke, take it apart, lose a few pieces, then it will be!"
 
You, my friend, are a throwback to days gone by. Please get 'with it', throw it out, and buy a new one!
 
Hm, I wonder how the Zippo "repair" went...? Dang it, I'd rather hear about the success or failure of advice and what worked or didn't.

I bet that LongDistance doesn't smoke, which is very good for him. However, he hasn't learned, in two years, what smokers usually learn within the first month or three. ;)

GeoThorn
 
geothorn said:
Hm, I wonder how the Zippo "repair" went...? Dang it, I'd rather hear about the success or failure of advice and what worked or didn't.

I bet that LongDistance doesn't smoke, which is very good for him. However, he hasn't learned, in two years, what smokers usually learn within the first month or three. ;)

GeoThorn
Click to expand...

I hope he removes that flint between periods of non use. Leaving it in a filled condition without use for prolonged periods of time can cause the flint to weld itself to the inside of the tube from chemical reaction with metals and fumes. It's real interesting getting them out then.

Edited to add: I suspect something else with this thread. That he hasn't returned and posted since he started it, kind of confirms my suspicions.
I could be wrong though.:confused:
 
Mike Hull said:
I hope he removes that flint between periods of non use. Leaving it in a filled condition without use for prolonged periods of time can cause the flint to weld itself to the inside of the tube from chemical reaction with metals and fumes. It's real interesting getting them out then.
Click to expand...
I've never had a flint get stuck in a Zippo that way. What I have had happen, a couple of times, is a flint turning completely into grey dust. It's also happened to a ferro-cerium rod. Apparently, once a flint or ferro-cerium rod is started, it takes a coating off of the outside. If that coating isn't replaced, the flint or ferro-cerium keeps reacting to the air.

I had this old Boy Scout fire-starting packet that I got myself into a lot of trouble with, as a youngster. The ferro-cerium rod was eaten up, pretty much on every side, when I put it away for about a dozen years. The next time I found that Boy Scout fire-starting packet, well, all that was left of the ferro-cerium rod was the handle and a lot of grey dust.

Mike Hull said:
Edited to add: I suspect something else with this thread. That he hasn't returned and posted since he started it, kind of confirms my suspicions.
I could be wrong though.:confused:
Click to expand...
What is it that you suspect? I kind of think that LongDistance is feeling a bit chagrined, having a Zippo lighter for two years and never having to have changed a flint, yet. ;)

GeoThorn
 
geothorn said:
Hm, I wonder how the Zippo "repair" went...? Dang it, I'd rather hear about the success or failure of advice and what worked or didn't.

I bet that LongDistance doesn't smoke, which is very good for him. However, he hasn't learned, in two years, what smokers usually learn within the first month or three. ;)

GeoThorn
Click to expand...

Wow, it is nice for you guys to care about me.

Yes, I do not smoke. I just carry around a Zippo because I like fire, it is like a good luck charm, and I like the "click click" sound of the Zippo.

Truth be told, I haven't purchased any flint yet. I think my local smoke shop should sell some, so I will check it out when I got the time. The reason for my laziness is that I have two Zippos, so I am just using the one that works right now.

But thanks for caring. I will update once I buy some flint.
 
geothorn said:
I've never had a flint get stuck in a Zippo that way. What I have had happen, a couple of times, is a flint turning completely into grey dust. It's also happened to a ferro-cerium rod. Apparently, once a flint or ferro-cerium rod is started, it takes a coating off of the outside. If that coating isn't replaced, the flint or ferro-cerium keeps reacting to the air.

I had this old Boy Scout fire-starting packet that I got myself into a lot of trouble with, as a youngster. The ferro-cerium rod was eaten up, pretty much on every side, when I put it away for about a dozen years. The next time I found that Boy Scout fire-starting packet, well, all that was left of the ferro-cerium rod was the handle and a lot of grey dust.

What is it that you suspect? I kind of think that LongDistance is feeling a bit chagrined, having a Zippo lighter for two years and never having to have changed a flint, yet. ;)

GeoThorn
Click to expand...


That's what I'm talking about. They get a powdery coating on the outside and can weld themselves into the tube over time(you have to take a drill bit to the tube to clear it and it's not easy. I'm talking long term storage here. It's why I used to pull the inside out, remove the flint and let the fluid evaporate before putting the flint under the cotton just to store it and then putting it away.

As for the other, I'm now glad to see I was wrong.;)
 
LongDistance said:
Wow, it is nice for you guys to care about me.

Yes, I do not smoke. I just carry around a Zippo because I like fire, it is like a good luck charm, and I like the "click click" sound of the Zippo.

Truth be told, I haven't purchased any flint yet. I think my local smoke shop should sell some, so I will check it out when I got the time. The reason for my laziness is that I have two Zippos, so I am just using the one that works right now.

But thanks for caring. I will update once I buy some flint.
Click to expand...

You can buy packs of flints at most supermarkets. Put in a new one and put one or two under the cotton packing as spares.
Zippo flints are nice, but Ronson's are too and Ronson is what you'll probably find most of. Same for fluid. Zippo lighter fluid(as well as flints) is almost unheard of out this way, so most use Ronson.

It's all basically the same, naptha with a very light oil to retard evaporation.
Good luck to you.
 
LongDistance said:
Truth be told, I haven't purchased any flint yet. I think my local smoke shop should sell some, so I will check it out when I got the time. The reason for my laziness is that I have two Zippos, so I am just using the one that works right now.

But thanks for caring. I will update once I buy some flint.
Click to expand...
This might be a good time to test your scavenging skills.

Unfortunately, BIC lighters are called "disposable," and people do dispose of them, sometimes not necessarily in the garbage. I'd suggest taking a walk around your neighborhood or city block and look at the curbs for a BIC or other butane lighter. If the lighter's sparkwheel and approximately half of the plastic body are still in-tact, at a minimum, you'll probably find a still-useable flint (two Zippo-sized flints, if you split the original BIC flint in two...) yet remaining inside.

Just pop-off the butane lighter's hood, then slowly pry one of the soft-plastic "arms" outward, the ones that support the sparkwheel. When the sparkwheel is only supported by one plastic "arm," tip the butane lighter down into your palm, and pry the second sparkwheel "arm" outwards. Be careful because there's a longish spring that's holding the flint against the sparkwheel, and when you completely release the second sparkwheel arm, the sparkwheel, flint, and spring could all be launched!

You may have to make a special trip in order to reach your nearest smoke shop, but, there could be a hundred times to check for disposed-of butane lighters laying in curbs, like when you take your household garbage out to the curb, take Fido for his walk around the block, or even while you're out for a walk on your lunch hour.

Save yourself the gasoline needed for a trip to the smoke shop and just start scanning the curbs for butane lighters that have gotten tossed. I've found lots of extra flints that way, and also some lighters that I could coax into working for another day.

GeoThorn
 
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