Bleeding a Lighter -
Butane lighters offer a great deal of efficiency and reliability but there are occasions on which they will fail to light. This could be for myriad reasons but the most common is that there is air trapped in the reservoir. The air, of course, interrupts the fuel supply to the jet which results in a lighter that either fails to light altogether or which lights and then immediately goes out; this may happen over and over.
Bleeding a lighter simply means allowing a bit of fuel to flow through the system without actually igniting it. This may be done on any type of butane lighter, cigarette or cigar lighter. To accomplish this, one simply engages the first step of the lighting process without engaging the second. On most lighters, fuel begins to flow as soon as one presses the button halfway. The spark isn't introduced to the fuel until one fully-depresses the igniter.
Butane lighters require a tight connection between the seal and the can when being filled. In some cases, individuals may fail to provide this. This loose seal can result in air being forced into the lighter's reservoir resulting in the types of problems described. On lighters which haven't a transparent reservoir, this can become a very frustrating problem. The only way to remedy the problem is to bleed the lighter. If this problem is constant, it may indicate that there is something else going wrong with the device.
The very high-end butane lighters are sophisticated devices. Generally, the more one pays for such a device, the better the components used in its manufacture. With an expensive cigar lighter, for instance, an individual can rest assured that any flaws are not due to lacking manufacturing processes. However, there is always the chance that a lighter will be a "lemon", as the saying goes. Those who purchase high-end lighters have a definite advantage over those who do not in these cases.
Lighter Will Not Light -
Lighters are a requirement for smokers; unless you choose to use matches, of course. However, lighters are far more convenient than matches and also more economical. With that said butane lighters and even jet lighters can have problems with operation. One of the most common problems associated with any type of lighter is a failure to ignite, accompanied by a hissing sound.
When the igniter of the lighter is pressed down, no flame appears. The lighter does, however, emit a hissing sound, as of fuel escaping. What could be going on? What’s wrong with your lighter? Actually, this situation can be remedied quite easily, though you’ll need to troubleshoot your lighter a bit first.
The first step is to ensure that there is no debris, dirt or lint clogging or blocking the lighter’s operation. Even a small amount of debris can stop a lighter from functioning correctly. Exercise care when checking for blockages and keep your fingers well away from the igniter. If you find an obstruction of any kind, remove it and then attempt to light your lighter. If the lighter still emits a hissing sound, but does not light, then continue to the next step in the process.
Usually, the problem with a lighter emitting a hissing sound, but not lighting, is a problem of flame adjustment. If the adjustment is set too high, then the force of the fuel escaping can be too great for the striker to ignite it. Essentially, the speeding fuel actually “blows out” the flame. Check the flame adjuster to ensure that it is not too high; on a standard butane lighter, you’ll find the slide adjustment on the back, under the metallic cap. On a jet lighter, the adjuster is usually located on the bottom of the lighter. In all cases, it is denoted with plus and minus symbols.
The flame height can be adjusted quite easily. For a jet lighter, you’ll need a small flathead screwdriver or a similar tool. Insert the head into the slot of the adjuster and rotate it toward the minus symbol a small amount. Check the lighter to determine if you have lowered the flame height/fuel flow sufficiently. If it still does not light, continue to turn it toward the minus symbol, checking the lighter periodically to determine if it lights. If you adjust the flame height all the way to the minimum with no luck, you might have a defective lighter.
Re-filling your Lighter -
Refueling your refillable butane lighter is quite easy. Refill cans are available just about anywhere beware of using a cheap brand of fuel which can damage the inlet valve and, more commonly, clog the burner valve.
The most common mistake made in refilling a butane cigar lighter, is not keeping the can and the lighter upside down. If you do not refill with the can in the upside down position, you will just inject air into the lighter and it will not work properly until it is bled and refilled.
To refill:
First read the warning labels and instructions on the can. Aim away from face and stay away from any open flame or ignition source. Please use common sense!
Then:
Turn the adjustment screw to the (-) position. On some lighters, it is located in the same hole as the inlet valve, wrapped around the inlet valve, and requires a small standard screw driver. Other cigar lighters have a separate, easier to locate, adjustment screw, and some have a knob over the adjustment screw that can be turned with your fingers.
Hold the lighter and the refill can upside down. There will be a small hole at the bottom of your lighter; inside the hole you'll see the inlet valve. Press the tip of the refill can over the inlet valve and press down firmly for 4-5 seconds. Repeat once.
Adjust the flame to desired height.