Coleman Fuel Troubles

[brw0513]

Hello from Down Under.

I have recently purchased a Spectra G - the build is continuing.

I am very keen to use Coleman fuel but I don't think it is used by many, if any, here in Australia. I know of two people that have tried, but from reports, getting consistent running is the problem.

Based on research on this forum, it seems some well respected names have great success with Coleman camper fuel. I'd like to enjoy the same success.

From what I've read, needle positions shouldn't vary to any great extent between fuels.

I haven't even started my Zenoah G231 yet (Walbro 643 carb, MA air cleaner, z-rc carb adapter). I plan from the outset to go with Coleman fuel and to begin with Stihl 2-stroke oil at 32:1.

I can only think that:

1. The Coleman fuel we get here in Oz is not what is available in the states (doubt it though).
2. The Zenoah engines, once used to a diet of unleaded fuel, require a slight needle re-tune to run consistently on Coleman brew (perhaps something to do with a lower/higher engine running temp on Coleman fuel).

My definite preference is to run Coleman fuel from the outset and stick with it, rather than start with unleaded petrol (gas) and make the change at a later date.

Interested in others experiences, comments and suggestions.

[jeffros1805]

I also just purchased a slightly "used" spectra G, zenoah trm 231.The previous owner ran on camper fuel (coleman) and yamaha 2r oil. I have not ran it yet (still setting everything up) and was also curious about using that fuel.
Ive also read where people are using a walmart brand fuel (ozarka) that is better than colaman when it comes to being cleaner and more consistant.

I think the debate on using camper vs unleaded is all up to preferance. Im going to try the ozarka and see how it runs before I make any judgement.

[ozace]

Really looking forward to some answers here. I was one that tried Coleman camper fuel, i got no running consistency with it so i am going back to unleaded.

[carey shurley]

I have no insight into the blend consistency of lantern fuel. I'm told it varies widely but again I've not seen any lab tests.

In my personal experience, I think gasoline runs smoother in the model. Opinions vary widely here and most likely they aren't opinions but fact based on how each runs in specific model setups. But nonetheless when I've done back to back comparisons in my models (but not blind comparisions) gasoline has seemed to behave slightly better (although I haven't had any ah-ha moments).

Gasoline however has a significant residual odor that will fill whatever room you leave the model in. For this reason I pretty much exclusively run lantern fuel.

[brw0513]

Well, I'm having a lot of trouble even finding Coleman fuel.

I've made enquiries with two camping stores now:

Staff at store no. 1 say it's too dear so it doesn't sell and hence they don't stock it.

Staff at store no. 2 say their insurance premium will go up if they stock it (or any fuel for that matter) and hence they don't stock it.

I have also found out, by www research, that Coleman fuel can be used in crytal methamphetamine production!

[ozace]

I got my coleman fuel from Rays outdoors (rays tent city). They had a wall of it in 1 litre and 1 gallon tins.

[brw0513]

Ozace,

Just found out that BCF here in Brisbane sell it for $15 per US gallon.

Got a tip from a kid at Bunnings too. He said his 1/5th scale 2-stroke truck uses a Shellite brew and I should talk to the hobby shop where he purchased it from (Hobby One) to find out more about Coleman fuel/Shellite.

Cheers.

[ozace]

really looking forward to your progress with this stuff. I would much rather not have the smell of unleaded all around me. I just dont know enough about these motors to make it work so far, but i am really interested in learning cos i'd love to try it again.

[brw0513]

I will keep you posted - I am very keen now to finish the build and begin the engine run-in process.

I don't really mind the smell of 2-stroke exhaust fumes! It's just the wife will not stand for the house/garage/car smelling of raw fuel just because I've decided to work on the heli or go to the field for a fly.

[jeffros1805]

As soon as I get my receiver and set up my spectra g I will be running it on camper fuel + yamaha 2r oil (previous owner ran this and he says it ran fine). If i dont like the "tune" i'll switch to unleaded.

[jeffros1805]

Went out tonight and bought all my "coleman" fuel and oil. I can buy it for less than $5.00/gallon (regular unleaded just went up to $3.00/gallon). It has a very slight odor and looks very clean (bought coleman premium blend fuel). says has "improved filtration, cleaner burning".
Going to try it saturday and see how it runs.

[brw0513]

jeffros1805,

Wow. Coleman fuel is around 2.5 times more expensive here in Australia.

Interesting you can purchase Coleman "premium blend" fuel. Any chance you can post a photo of the tin? It might be different to what is available here.

I have mixed the Coleman fuel with Stihl 2-stroke oil at 36:1. Not tried it in the Zenoah G231 yet, but my weed eater goes great on the brew.

My confidence in the fuel is high, at least for the time being.

Let us know of any progress you make.

[DebianDog]

umm.. I have never ran my gasser on anything BUT camping fuel. I believe Stator Gator did test with various Octane levels and fuels and could find NO difference in performance between any of them. The only reason to run camping fuel is for the "cleanliness and smell". Camping fuel is nothing but really super refined "white" gasoline anyway.

I have run 2.0-2.5oz of Amsoil to a gallon and find the amount of oil is more of a factor.

[jeffros1805]

Well I flew my Spectra G yesterday on a coleman fuel/yamaha 2R oil blend yesterday and it flew great. no smoke and the smell is interesting (cooking hotdogs on the coleman stove + motorcycle). Burned 1 tank through it and ran flawlessly with no oil spray and the spark plug looked perfect, also started on the 3rd pull and ran very smooth.

If the weather holds out going up for another flight today!

[ozace]

this is all great to read. Ian, the 1 litre jar i recently purchased is the "premium" stuff from coleman. I believe it is the only stuff we can get here.

I have not tried the heli on it yet but my blower is running very smooth with the last batch i had but i can notice power is down.

[brw0513]

ozace,

I'll check my Coleman can (US gallon) tonight.

I hope this Coleman brew does prove the goods. I reckon it is going to make storage and transporting to the field (in the family car) that much easier for me.

I can't say I've noticed any difference with my whipper snipper when running the Coleman brew. I am almost certain when I ran it previously on unleaded I mixed the Castrol 2-stroke oil at 25:1. I now mix the Coleman with Stihl 2-stroke oil at 36:1.

Maybe your blower is sensitive to oil type and quantity?

Keep us posted.

[bigrcr]

The Ozark fuel was much better and is now unavailable as it was basically just naptha without additives. Camper fuel is a Naptha or Naptha blend and is not white gasoline; there is a major difference.

The problem with Coleman is consistancy of the blend (as I have seen), and the other additives that go into it. Some additives are added (as rumoured) to be to keep people from using it in engines; this is uncomfirmed. I am still using it for the moment but would love to find another source like the Ozark fuel.

Later,

[DebianDog]

Camper fuel is a Naptha or Naptha blend and is not white gasoline; there is a major difference.


You will have to take that up with Coleman ;)

Specifications:
Coleman Fuel is a complex mixture of light hydrocarbons (primarily aliphatic) produced by distillation of petroleum.
Coleman Fuel is fully hydrotreated to remove aromatics, and contains less than 0.001% benzene. The boiling point
range is 100-350° F (Goldsmith, 2002). Coleman Fuel contains up to 25% n-hexane and up to 15% cyclohexane by weight.

Synonyms
Petroleum ether, petroleum naphtha, light hydrotreated petroleum distillate, white gas, Amsol 10, Kensol 10, VM&P (varnish makers & painters) naphtha, petroleum benzin.