The_Yellow_Ardvark
Established Member
I got this tidy and complete Tilly Lamp for £5, as the last owner could not get it to work.
If you are after a Tilly, get one which is complete. As some spares are getting eye watering.
The dust turned out to be some kind of plaster dust.
Take the pump out, this tank had the wrong fuel in it. Take the time to wash it out with a Solvent type clutch and brake cleaner.
The pump washer here was in good condition, a soak in warm Veg oil had it perfect.
I took the time to strip and clean the None return valve as well.
Reassemble and place thumb over the holes and pump, you should feel pressure. The correct operation of the NRV is hard to test at this stage. But if done right it will not give a issue.
Reassemble the pump, place the unit into a bucket of water, up to the control valve. Give 30 good pumps. This will show if the tank is good. If not you will be soldering it up. Not an easy job.
Fill the dry tank, about halve full.
Take it out side and give 30 pumps on the pump.
Open the control valve, you will get a good straight jet of fuel.
If not, release the pressure, remove the vaporizer.
Give 10 pumps and open the control valve a bit, if fuel appears the vaporizer is shot, a new one is needed. This one just needed a clean.
Release the pressure.
This one had a complete and clean mantle. I know I could use it. If in doubt, fit a new one.
Try and get original ones or approved ones. The cheep ones on line a bloody terrible.
A good one is easy to fit.
Soak the Pre heater in Meths, fit and light. Give 40 pumps on the pump and wait.
When the pre-heater is almost out, open the control valve and the light should burst into life with a good pop.
If not pre heat again and try.
Just lit, some a bit cold, it was now we got a leak from the control valve, it nipped up and the leak stopped. I will fit new washers etc.
Nice an warm and going well.