My coleman dual fuel lantern wont let me pressure the fuel up with the plunger

Was your fuel clean?
Put clean fuel in and pump up. Should be fine.

Hi bradley m925...
Try using the cleaner for the generator, it is a twist type crank, make a few turns on it if you have it.
If not then your right, replace the generator as it is faulty.
Please take time to rate me

Coleman Generators website...http://www.summitcampinggear.com/lage.html

Make sure that the vapourised fuel is coming through the mantle before lighting up. You should hear a hissing sound when the flame adjusting lever is turned to high. If not it is possible that the generator is clogged up and that vapourised fuel is not getting through to the mantle. So when you light up you are essentially just burning the mantle. If the generator is knackered it will need to be replaced. One way to check it to remove the generator, primed the tank and turn the valve on. If fuel spurts out when the generator is removed (DON'T LIGHT IT U)P THOUGH) but there is no hissing sound when the generator is intact then it is a sure sign that the generator is clogged up. In the UK a replacement generator should set you back £10-15. Hope this helps, Bandit

If the petrol doesn't come through first check that you have enough in the tank. If the tank is not full enough it won't come through. If it still fails to come through it's likely that the generator is blocked. This is the tube which the mantle sits on and it has a very narrow opening to force the petrol to convert to vapour when it's warm. Try heating it for a while and it may clear it. Otherwise you'll need to buy a new generator.

Note: while the dual fuel lanterns can burn petrol you should be aware that it gives off poisonous fumes, like cars did before they had catalytic converters. The lantern should not be used indoors with petrol. They are safe with coleman fuel. If you live in the USA, Coleman fuel is cheap but if you're in Europe it's much too expensive. Rather than buying a new generator, if you live in Europe, you could buy a parafin burning lantern like the Petromax 500 available from http://www.pelam.de/index.php?cPath=28_31&language=en&gclid=CIOe46DQnqYCFQkf4QodQxz2Zg
and other sites, or you can pick up second hand Optimus lanterns on Ebay. Both burn parafin, though they need to be primed, and provide at least as much light as the Coleman.

It sounds like you are correct. While I don't know much about the new lanterns I have worked a lot on older ones. My first suggestion is the easiest. Try putting some 3 in 1 oil on it. First relieve any pressure in the tank- open the valve then slowly loosen the fill cap- watch out as it will likely spill fuel so do this outside Remove the plunger, there is a black plastic piece that holds it in it will come of either by a push and twist, or by removing a little metal bail across it. (you remove the metal bail (small wire loop) by gently pulling it outward with a small pliers.) then the plunger should come right out look into the hole and you will see a check valve at the bottom, try a bit of oil or wd40 on this, let it sit for a while, it may just be rusted open, and will take some time for the oil to work. Make sure it is working well before you light the lantern. you Do Not want this to fail when the lantern is going. Do this outside and away from any flames. Pump it up and see if it can hold pressure overnight

what kind of fuel are you using

In the dark in Cornwall, have you visited Coleman's website?
www.coleman.com/coleman/ColemanCom/DearColeman2.asp

After verifying enough fuel in the tank, if you have turned the pump plunger handle counter clockwise 1/2 turn or so and cover the hole in the pliunger with your thumb while pushing it in, lift thumb off the hole while pulling it out and the pump is not building pressure, you can apply a few drop of oil to the plunger oil hole. If it still won't build pressure, Loosen the tank fill cap slowly to release any pressure that may be built up and turn the pump retaining ring to the left and remove the pump unit. Inspect the plunger cup for deterioration or cracks. replace partsasnecessary. Should be available where lanterns are sold.

This manual is a poor quality but hopefully it helps! Interestingly enough, the U.S. Coleman website does not post this manual but the Australian site does:

Coleman Powerhouse Dual Fuel / 2-Mantle Lantern Model 295A700 Manual:

http://www.colemanaustralia.com.au/SiteFiles/colemanaustraliacomau/manuals/dual%20fuel%20lanterns.pdf