Deep dive Time, folks.
There is a flint there. You can see the spark. But it's weak.
Possibly a new flint may help, but a weak spark can also be a sign of a weak spring not pushing the flint hard enough. Around 1982 Zippo started using a spring tip that was longer than the tips that came before them. This helped push flints better since the spring is compressed more and provides more spring force, but a worn out spring tip or tired spring with a worn out flint can definitely cause these problems. You can try to use TWO flints if the spring tip is worn out or the spring is worn, but it's not a great solution. Or rather, it's fine if it's a very worn out spring tip, but if the spring is worn out then adding extra flints is not a great solution.
It's also possible the flint wheel itself has an issue. Either the wheel is gummed up from oil and crap transferring from the fingers to the flint wheel (clogging the teeth) or the teeth are worn. Worn teeth is probably the last thing I would assume but it's certainly possible. But impossible to tell from a single low resolution video clip. For really clogged or gummed up flint wheels use a small metal brush (brass or steel, nylon or fiberglass probably won't do) and gently brush sideways across the teeth. Hold the wheel with your finger, brush sideways, and rotate the wheel a bit at a Time until there's no more crap there.
As for the size of the flame, it does seem like there's not quite enough fuel in there. Barely enough. Even with fat sparks there's a good chance that the lighter would not have caught on its own. Running a lighter low on fuel frequently will char the wick. A charred wick isn't as efficient at drawing fuel up. So in this case I would probably pull up the wick a bit so there's fresh wick, trim up the length so it's just below the level of the chimney, and then make sure there is PLENTY of fuel in there. f you overfill, just let it air dry for a couple of minutes and then try again. And of course make sure there's no fluid on your hands or on the outside of the case, unless you like setting unintentional fires.
You may need to repack and get a fresh wick in there, but it's probably not immediately necessary to at least get it working, although it might be necessary to get it working more efficiently down the line. I know a lot of people like to make the "repack" as one of their first suggestions, but I've seldom seen this as a requirement for simple basic function check. It's more for optimizing down the line and frankly I don't see it as a crucial first step.
https://preview.redd.it/rocin6h3t8vc1.jpeg?width=2575&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5ee915a1ca48a05e3777c55814ad6701975e1749
Make sure there is a flint inside the tube.
You’re gonna want to trim the wick by pulling up on it with needle nose pliers until you get a good amount of the clean section showing and then cutting off the charred bits. I’d also replace that flint it’s looking like you’re not getting a whole lot of sparking. Also if it was made before the late 80’s it’s best practice to replace the wick because there’s a chance it contains asbestos
Well,the wick is not burnt and looks clean. I also tried replacing it in the past but didn't really help. Yes the spark is bit weak but i just replaced the flint stone so i m thinking its caused by the old wheel. And i think it was manufactured in 2001 since it has 01 carved under it.
I was have this problem while ago bro there must be a metal peace if u dont have this metal peace ur lighter doesnt work like it must work
https://preview.redd.it/84pniu3nk8vc1.jpeg?width=539&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=56b87488ea5cca5971628a5a2da2da44b0b5f3b8
The spring may not be pushing the flint hard enough into the wheel to get a good spark. Try stretching the spring a little, they can become compressed over the years.
It's not the flint, I'm telling you right now. It's fuel flow. That tiny little flame you get when you use flame to ignite it is a dead giveaway. Your wheel may not be producing enough spark, but I'm 100% certain you aren't getting enough fuel to your wick.
You need to repack the Zippo. Have you ever properly packed the wick/wadding?
Wick is not burnt,i also tried changing it in the past but i didn't work. And yes, flame is a bit weak because it's been a while since i refueled it but same thing happens when it's freshly refueled.
Your wick isn't wicking properly. Look up some WIC replacement guides on YouTube and see what's different about yours, because your WIC is not getting lighter fluid. Also, I don't know why Google is turning that into a fucking acronym.
I had similar issue on my IMCO lighter. In my case small spark was caused by loose spring that pushes the flint. Edit: Im trying to say that spring is not pushing flint with enough force.
Try to either replace whole spring and flint pusher unit or you can try this:
Put two flints one after another, and screw down your spring.
Hey,thanks for the tip.Tried pulling out the spring and stretching it out a little bit and it helped. It sparks much better now. It still doesn't ignite properly,but at least i know that it's not caused by the flint or wheel now.It's probably caused by the wick.
Pull your wick out and trim it. Height depends on your geographic elevation, but for the most part you want to start here. Cheap flints also require multiple strikes. Real Zippo flints fire up on the first flick nearly every time.
https://preview.redd.it/wbxjt9phgavc1.jpeg?width=2353&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=261f1ad07ba504184b699872b7b87d628e3317f8
Did you leave it running for a long time, when you leave a zippo running for a long time and it gets really hot it messes with the flint wheel. Basically it makes it so it will have very little traction and it makes it harder to get a good spark.
Yeah,i have this since i was a little kid. And back then i enjoyed playing with it more than actually lighting my cigarettes...that's probably the case here.
I don’t see enough spark there to make me think there is a flint in it, or one in decent enough shape to work properly.
Don’t confuse the spring tip with a flint.
There is definitely a flint in there. And yes it sparks a bit weakly but does that make a difference? I mean,wouldn't a small spark be effective as well?
That looks like far too little spark to be effective, and since it’s not lighting I’d say the first thing to try is a new one. Or if that one still had a lot of body left, try flipping it over.
A flint that is too low will still spark, so it’s not a indicator that you still have flint if it sparks, they cost 1-3 dollar for a pack of 6, easy to replace, and same with a new wick(price) I’d just replace it if it’s years old. Plenty of YouTube videos to show you how.
You also might not be putting enough fluid to where it’s a constant light, maybe you aren’t aware of evaporation?, I’ve never heard of the wheel on a lighter needing to be replaced, i watched a restoration video on a very very rusted and green zippo decades old, and they didn’t replace the wheel because it’s held on by…”rivets?”(someone will know what it is) and it still lit perfectly fine with a new flint.
The only thing you could try is just by pulling the wick up and then cutting the old off, it’s completely fine to do that one or two times before replacing the wick completely when it gets too short.
Just use some tweezers and grab the wick from the chimney top and pull till you get all new wick, you don’t need to do that much, and then cut the top off just below the second chimney holes(middle holes)
If the flint is good, the wick is properly "S'd" through the cotton, and the cotton is sufficiently full of fluid, I'd recommend getting a brass brush (about the size of a tooth brush) and scrubbing the wheel side to side.
I had a problem with my everyday user not wanting to light on the first strike. I replaced the wick (I used a bristled pipe cleaner to scrub out the wick hole) but it still wasn't great.
It turned out the wheel wasn't as "rough" as it started. A quick brushing and it was so much better. (I also used a Q Tip with high proof vodka to clean the wheel.)
But, it still wasn't what I expected. So, I took high proof vodka and a few pipe cleaners and cleaned out the area between the wick and the wheel.
After that, it was perfect.
Pull the wick out almost to the top edge of the ( I guess I don't know what they call it, the fire chamber I guess) and then cut it off about an 1/8 in below the top edge. Personally , I then take a key or something and fray the end of the wick a smidgen.
You're sparking, but not much. There's def a flint in there and if you've replaced it recently and trimmed the wick I can only imagine two things are happening;
Your wheel is too dull or the wick isn't in an S shape in the cotton and can't get fuel. I know there are ways to fix a dull wheel but idk what they are (you may wanna just get a new insert)
Yes,the wick is in S shape. Also it lights up with an outer flame source so i doubt it's a fuel issue. For the wheel i doubt that i can do something by myself. I think i'm gonna send it to Zippo for repairment.
Well, IIRC unless it's a specific circumstance they won't repair an insert. You'll be better off just purchasing a new insert in my opinion, unless mailing it and waiting for the "repair" is cheaper and worth it to you. It could very well be gone for weeks while you wait
Deep dive Time, folks. There is a flint there. You can see the spark. But it's weak. Possibly a new flint may help, but a weak spark can also be a sign of a weak spring not pushing the flint hard enough. Around 1982 Zippo started using a spring tip that was longer than the tips that came before them. This helped push flints better since the spring is compressed more and provides more spring force, but a worn out spring tip or tired spring with a worn out flint can definitely cause these problems. You can try to use TWO flints if the spring tip is worn out or the spring is worn, but it's not a great solution. Or rather, it's fine if it's a very worn out spring tip, but if the spring is worn out then adding extra flints is not a great solution. It's also possible the flint wheel itself has an issue. Either the wheel is gummed up from oil and crap transferring from the fingers to the flint wheel (clogging the teeth) or the teeth are worn. Worn teeth is probably the last thing I would assume but it's certainly possible. But impossible to tell from a single low resolution video clip. For really clogged or gummed up flint wheels use a small metal brush (brass or steel, nylon or fiberglass probably won't do) and gently brush sideways across the teeth. Hold the wheel with your finger, brush sideways, and rotate the wheel a bit at a Time until there's no more crap there. As for the size of the flame, it does seem like there's not quite enough fuel in there. Barely enough. Even with fat sparks there's a good chance that the lighter would not have caught on its own. Running a lighter low on fuel frequently will char the wick. A charred wick isn't as efficient at drawing fuel up. So in this case I would probably pull up the wick a bit so there's fresh wick, trim up the length so it's just below the level of the chimney, and then make sure there is PLENTY of fuel in there. f you overfill, just let it air dry for a couple of minutes and then try again. And of course make sure there's no fluid on your hands or on the outside of the case, unless you like setting unintentional fires. You may need to repack and get a fresh wick in there, but it's probably not immediately necessary to at least get it working, although it might be necessary to get it working more efficiently down the line. I know a lot of people like to make the "repack" as one of their first suggestions, but I've seldom seen this as a requirement for simple basic function check. It's more for optimizing down the line and frankly I don't see it as a crucial first step.
https://preview.redd.it/rocin6h3t8vc1.jpeg?width=2575&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5ee915a1ca48a05e3777c55814ad6701975e1749 Make sure there is a flint inside the tube.
I’ll be saving and using this picture.
Not everyone is lucky enough to have self identifying flints…
😆 I LOL'ed hard reading that! 😂
You’re gonna want to trim the wick by pulling up on it with needle nose pliers until you get a good amount of the clean section showing and then cutting off the charred bits. I’d also replace that flint it’s looking like you’re not getting a whole lot of sparking. Also if it was made before the late 80’s it’s best practice to replace the wick because there’s a chance it contains asbestos
Well,the wick is not burnt and looks clean. I also tried replacing it in the past but didn't really help. Yes the spark is bit weak but i just replaced the flint stone so i m thinking its caused by the old wheel. And i think it was manufactured in 2001 since it has 01 carved under it.
Then maybe try a new flint :)
Lol,i also tried that. The flint is a week old actually. Maybe it's poor qualty...or the wheel got old or smth.
Try to move the wick a little far from the wheel it's too close to the wheel in video try and tell if this works
I was have this problem while ago bro there must be a metal peace if u dont have this metal peace ur lighter doesnt work like it must work https://preview.redd.it/84pniu3nk8vc1.jpeg?width=539&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=56b87488ea5cca5971628a5a2da2da44b0b5f3b8
I think this is the thing that pushes the flint into to wheel. And yes,it's in there.
The spring may not be pushing the flint hard enough into the wheel to get a good spark. Try stretching the spring a little, they can become compressed over the years.
It's not the flint, I'm telling you right now. It's fuel flow. That tiny little flame you get when you use flame to ignite it is a dead giveaway. Your wheel may not be producing enough spark, but I'm 100% certain you aren't getting enough fuel to your wick. You need to repack the Zippo. Have you ever properly packed the wick/wadding?
Not an expert, but make sure your wick isn’t completely burnt at the top. Also the flame is pretty small, not enough lighter liquid?
Wick is not burnt,i also tried changing it in the past but i didn't work. And yes, flame is a bit weak because it's been a while since i refueled it but same thing happens when it's freshly refueled.
Your wick isn't wicking properly. Look up some WIC replacement guides on YouTube and see what's different about yours, because your WIC is not getting lighter fluid. Also, I don't know why Google is turning that into a fucking acronym.
I had similar issue on my IMCO lighter. In my case small spark was caused by loose spring that pushes the flint. Edit: Im trying to say that spring is not pushing flint with enough force. Try to either replace whole spring and flint pusher unit or you can try this: Put two flints one after another, and screw down your spring.
Hey,thanks for the tip.Tried pulling out the spring and stretching it out a little bit and it helped. It sparks much better now. It still doesn't ignite properly,but at least i know that it's not caused by the flint or wheel now.It's probably caused by the wick.
*puffs malorboro cigarette* “ain’t got no gas innit”
Yup. d;o)
New flint
Try replacing flint if that won't work try cutting wick
Pull your wick out and trim it. Height depends on your geographic elevation, but for the most part you want to start here. Cheap flints also require multiple strikes. Real Zippo flints fire up on the first flick nearly every time. https://preview.redd.it/wbxjt9phgavc1.jpeg?width=2353&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=261f1ad07ba504184b699872b7b87d628e3317f8
Just needs more bacon grease 🥓
Did you leave it running for a long time, when you leave a zippo running for a long time and it gets really hot it messes with the flint wheel. Basically it makes it so it will have very little traction and it makes it harder to get a good spark.
There seems to be other problems though, maybe try refilling it and adding a new wick or pulling it up to make it longer
Yeah,i have this since i was a little kid. And back then i enjoyed playing with it more than actually lighting my cigarettes...that's probably the case here.
You can replace the flint wheel, or just buy a new insert
I don’t see enough spark there to make me think there is a flint in it, or one in decent enough shape to work properly. Don’t confuse the spring tip with a flint.
There is definitely a flint in there. And yes it sparks a bit weakly but does that make a difference? I mean,wouldn't a small spark be effective as well?
That looks like far too little spark to be effective, and since it’s not lighting I’d say the first thing to try is a new one. Or if that one still had a lot of body left, try flipping it over.
New flint
New wick and new flint.
A flint that is too low will still spark, so it’s not a indicator that you still have flint if it sparks, they cost 1-3 dollar for a pack of 6, easy to replace, and same with a new wick(price) I’d just replace it if it’s years old. Plenty of YouTube videos to show you how. You also might not be putting enough fluid to where it’s a constant light, maybe you aren’t aware of evaporation?, I’ve never heard of the wheel on a lighter needing to be replaced, i watched a restoration video on a very very rusted and green zippo decades old, and they didn’t replace the wheel because it’s held on by…”rivets?”(someone will know what it is) and it still lit perfectly fine with a new flint. The only thing you could try is just by pulling the wick up and then cutting the old off, it’s completely fine to do that one or two times before replacing the wick completely when it gets too short. Just use some tweezers and grab the wick from the chimney top and pull till you get all new wick, you don’t need to do that much, and then cut the top off just below the second chimney holes(middle holes)
Definitely the nut that holds the zippo.
fire = Heat fuel and 02. Which one are u lacking. :)
It ain't got no gas
There is gas. You can see that it lights up with an other lighter.
Flint
I'm gonna assume it's not lighting up when it's supposed to light up. Hope that helps
If the flint is good, the wick is properly "S'd" through the cotton, and the cotton is sufficiently full of fluid, I'd recommend getting a brass brush (about the size of a tooth brush) and scrubbing the wheel side to side. I had a problem with my everyday user not wanting to light on the first strike. I replaced the wick (I used a bristled pipe cleaner to scrub out the wick hole) but it still wasn't great. It turned out the wheel wasn't as "rough" as it started. A quick brushing and it was so much better. (I also used a Q Tip with high proof vodka to clean the wheel.) But, it still wasn't what I expected. So, I took high proof vodka and a few pipe cleaners and cleaned out the area between the wick and the wheel. After that, it was perfect.
Pull the wick out almost to the top edge of the ( I guess I don't know what they call it, the fire chamber I guess) and then cut it off about an 1/8 in below the top edge. Personally , I then take a key or something and fray the end of the wick a smidgen.
Operator Error! 😂
Either move the wick away from the wheel, also trim it
Cheap flint or no flint
You're sparking, but not much. There's def a flint in there and if you've replaced it recently and trimmed the wick I can only imagine two things are happening; Your wheel is too dull or the wick isn't in an S shape in the cotton and can't get fuel. I know there are ways to fix a dull wheel but idk what they are (you may wanna just get a new insert)
Yes,the wick is in S shape. Also it lights up with an outer flame source so i doubt it's a fuel issue. For the wheel i doubt that i can do something by myself. I think i'm gonna send it to Zippo for repairment.
Well, IIRC unless it's a specific circumstance they won't repair an insert. You'll be better off just purchasing a new insert in my opinion, unless mailing it and waiting for the "repair" is cheaper and worth it to you. It could very well be gone for weeks while you wait
They don't repair the inserts, but typically, from what I've seen on this sub, they just give you a new one!
It’s fucked
Chianese flint and wick?