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Last post 20 years ago by SteveS. 25 replies replies.
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tonester666 Offline
#1 Posted: Mon, Jun 2 2003, 3:48 PM EST
Joined: 05-07-2003
Posts: 1,324
Just bought this nice Colibri on Cbid and it is giving me some problems.

Even on a low setting the butane contains to spew after the flame goes out.

Sometimes the flame goes out while I am lighting my cigar.

HELP!!!
Robby Offline
#2 Posted: Mon, Jun 2 2003, 5:10 PM EST
Joined: 10-30-2002
Posts: 5,067
send an email to customer service, they'll take care of you.
osage Offline
#3 Posted: Mon, Jun 2 2003, 6:23 PM EST
Joined: 02-18-2001
Posts: 492
Before going to customer service you might want to turn the flame adjustment screw down all the way and purge the butane. Turn the screw up about a quarter of a turn and refill. Then adjust the flame. Just a thought.
tonester666 Offline
#4 Posted: Mon, Jun 2 2003, 6:30 PM EST
Joined: 05-07-2003
Posts: 1,324
I can try that I did refill it (even used colibri butane) tried to turn it down all the way very little flame and it goes out in the wind - still runs on after flame is out.
SteveS Offline
#5 Posted: Tue, Jun 3 2003, 4:41 AM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
Colibri has a high reputation, and commands a strong price ... but, IMO, their price performance is questionable ...

The problem described here is not new to me regarding Colibri ... I've had nothing but trouble with them and will never buy another one ... I know they're guaranteed and you can send it in, etc but the cost of doing so, both in terms of time and cash expense is greater than the cost of a replacement lighter in most cases ... to my way of thinking, they're a big name with little justification ... a year or so ago after my most recently purchased Colibri died, I nixed the idea of sending it in under warrantee and bought a $10 jet-flame lighter at a local store ... here's the kicker ... it's got a lifetime guarantee ... AND, if anything does go wrong with it, I don't have to send it anywhere ... the guy at my local store gives me a brand new lighter and he deals with the manufacturer on the old one ... it might not be quite as stylish as any of the Colibris I've had, but you know something? ... it works ... and for $10, the most favorable price performance I could ask for ...
jrc9414 Offline
#6 Posted: Tue, Jun 3 2003, 4:50 AM EST
Joined: 04-08-2003
Posts: 177
I have bought or received 4 Colibri lighters. Had problems with every single one...

Until I took out the governor. Even using Colibri canisters to refill your lighter does not provide enough pressure to raise the governor and allow a continuous flow of butane.

Different models have different governors but I have taken the governors out of all my Colibri's and they are now perfect.

BTW...be careful with your adjustment screw afterwards because you'll be able to shoot a 6 foot stream of butane if you're not careful.

Good luck!

Jim
SteveR@CigarBid Offline
#7 Posted: Tue, Jun 3 2003, 4:58 AM EST
Joined: 11-19-2002
Posts: 12,746
Tony: Please check your email :)
tonester666 Offline
#8 Posted: Tue, Jun 3 2003, 7:20 AM EST
Joined: 05-07-2003
Posts: 1,324
SteveS what brand of lighter is that?
turnberry Offline
#9 Posted: Tue, Jun 3 2003, 11:54 AM EST
Joined: 12-11-2002
Posts: 915
Steve:
I am interested in your lighter fix of removing the governor. Can you provide a little more detail on how you do this?

I promise I have no terrorist aspirations here but your caution about the extended flame definitely got my attention:-)
rasdas Offline
#10 Posted: Tue, Jun 3 2003, 12:11 PM EST
Joined: 03-13-2003
Posts: 4,716
SteveS....

Can you explain a little bit more about removing the governor from the Colibri lighter...

I have three of them and all have the same problem as described above...now i just use them as paper weights...

RasDas
turnberry Offline
#11 Posted: Tue, Jun 3 2003, 1:29 PM EST
Joined: 12-11-2002
Posts: 915
Sorry, it is Jim who seems to be the Colibri governor removal expert here. Rasdas and I are no doubt doing too much multitasking while reading this board.

SteveS has other noteworthy skills however and his lighters almost always work flawlessly:-)
rasdas Offline
#12 Posted: Tue, Jun 3 2003, 1:44 PM EST
Joined: 03-13-2003
Posts: 4,716
Hate it when i jump the gun...but got pretty excited about impeaching the governor...

Jim...can you please explain how to remove the governor...

RasDas
jrc9414 Offline
#13 Posted: Wed, Jun 4 2003, 7:32 AM EST
Joined: 04-08-2003
Posts: 177
I'm no expert but I do get when I buy a $60 lighter that doesn't work. Here's what you can do...

*take the cover off

*find the clear tube that supplies fuel up to the point of ignition

*at the top of the tube will be a small pin or disk (governor)...yours may be different but it will be something that restricts the flow of butane inside that tube (one of mine just fell out)

*take that useless piece of crap out

Without any restriction, the lighter will shoot a stream of raw butane (not a flame) since the fuel is pressurized. Simply adjust the dial to the right amount of fuel and you have a perfect lighter.

I was going to offer Colibri lighter repair but...I'm too nice of a guy.

Jim

turnberry Offline
#14 Posted: Wed, Jun 4 2003, 10:03 AM EST
Joined: 12-11-2002
Posts: 915
JIm:
Thanks much for the info. Sounds like a weekend tinker project in the making. I will report back with details on any scorched eyebrows:-)
rasdas Offline
#15 Posted: Wed, Jun 4 2003, 10:32 AM EST
Joined: 03-13-2003
Posts: 4,716
Thanks Jim...appreciate the info...will let you know how it goes...

RasDas
rasdas Offline
#16 Posted: Wed, Jun 4 2003, 10:36 AM EST
Joined: 03-13-2003
Posts: 4,716
And if all does not go well, i might have to take you up on the Colibri Lighter repair...

Hey...a couple of smokes to fix a lighter isn't bad...

RasDas

Joe
jrc9414 Offline
#17 Posted: Wed, Jun 4 2003, 11:17 AM EST
Joined: 04-08-2003
Posts: 177
you're very welcome...cigars are always welcome too! good luck.

jim
Slimboli Offline
#18 Posted: Thu, Jun 5 2003, 3:51 AM EST
Joined: 07-09-2000
Posts: 16,139
Also ... keep in mind that 'tinkering' with many products will void their warranty ...

... just a thought.
tonester666 Offline
#19 Posted: Thu, Jun 5 2003, 4:03 AM EST
Joined: 05-07-2003
Posts: 1,324
Thanks for the info. Cbid is sending me out a replacement. For the price I expect more from the product and should not have to 'tinker' with it.
Slimboli Offline
#20 Posted: Thu, Jun 5 2003, 4:40 AM EST
Joined: 07-09-2000
Posts: 16,139
You took what I feel is the right approach ... if something doesn't work to your satisfaction ... send it back for a refund or replacement.

That's what good customer service is all about!
SteveS Offline
#21 Posted: Thu, Jun 5 2003, 4:56 AM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
------------------------------------------------
On 06/03/2003 at 12:20 PM tonester666 wrote:
SteveS what brand of lighter is that?
------------------------------------------------

No brand name on the lighter itself ... I'll look at the display in the store next time I'm in and post the answer here ... sorry, I didn't notice this Q until this morning ...

phenix007 Offline
#22 Posted: Thu, Jun 5 2003, 5:34 AM EST
Joined: 10-20-2002
Posts: 245
I too have gien them way too many tries...cost of effort and fees not worth it >>have a box full of non-working lighters most Calibre...but have learned lesson ..no more Calibres for me...hope cbid will offer some good alternatives
Slimboli Offline
#23 Posted: Thu, Jun 5 2003, 7:12 AM EST
Joined: 07-09-2000
Posts: 16,139
... I'm assuming you mean Colibri ... correct?

For the record ... I've never had any problems with any Colibri I've owned.
tonester666 Offline
#24 Posted: Thu, Jun 5 2003, 10:34 AM EST
Joined: 05-07-2003
Posts: 1,324
Slim, what Colibri models do you own?
jrc9414 Offline
#25 Posted: Fri, Jun 6 2003, 4:27 AM EST
Joined: 04-08-2003
Posts: 177
I would like to know what models Slim owns as well.

I've never heard anyone say they haven't had problems...I've even had vendors tell me they are inconsistent.
SteveS Offline
#26 Posted: Fri, Jun 6 2003, 4:52 AM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
I know of two local vendors who have discontinued carrying Colibri lighters because of the tremendous level of problems ... and Slim, we must balance one another out ... you've never had a problem with a Colibri, but every Colibri I've ever owned has been a problem ... oh, and btw ... NONE of those problems were the result of using inferior lighter fluid ... I'm well aware that ANY lighter can be poisoned with Ronson or some other crappy fluid ... but all the Colibris have been functional problems with the lighters themselves ...
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