Main Menu

Home

Login
Join Today

Write Article

Important Tips

Da Find » Entertainment » Hobbies » How To Fix A Butane Cigar Lighter That Will Not Light But Hisses

How To Fix A Butane Cigar Lighter That Will Not Light But Hisses

Posted July 7, 2010 at 4:27 am

While refillable butane lighters are designed to provide a long service life, every mechanical device is subject to failure for various reasons. Oftentimes, in the case of butane torches, the problems stem from incorrect handling, attempts to fix the lighter on the part of the user or to simple wear and tear. Sometimes, problems with these devices will manifest as a hissing noise; the sound of butane escaping from the reservoir of the torch. There are ways to remedy this.

First and foremost, any torch which is actively leaking butane should be emptied of all the fuel. Butane vapor is obviously flammable and, if allowed to form a cloud around a device that is subsequently sparked, it may ignite in a small flash fire. The best way to address this issue is to simply take the torch to a qualified service technician and to have it properly fixed. One may get an idea of what's wrong beforehand.

If the torch makes a loud hiss and leaks all its fuel quickly, it is likely that there is either a crack in the reservoir or a valve that has become stuck open. Neither situation can be fixed by the user and must be addressed by a qualified technician. In fact, attempting to fix this one's self may well result in the voiding of any warranty that was offered with the purchase of the lighter which should have paperwork which specifies this.

If a lighter spontaneously starts making a loud hissing sound, this can mean that the fuel is escaping very rapidly. Do not attempt to light such a device. The gas may form a cloud around the user's hand and result in a small flash fire. It's best to let the pressure in the reservoir dissipate on its own and to take the lighter in for professional servicing. One should never put such a device in their pocket when the hissing noise is audible.

If the hissing occurs after the lighter has been dropped, the case may be cracked. This can result in a very fast discharge of gas, oftentimes producing more of a "puffing" noise as all of the gas is discharged as once rather than as a hiss as is characteristic of a slow leak. This may or may not be a fixable problem and replacement may be the only option.