bobcat problems

[lnew]

My bobcat torch is acting funny past 2 torching sessions. When I light it up little flames are whooshing up along the sides of the portholes, almost like if you light the torch before the oxygen has fully built up (I run it on 2 oxycons). I keep reaming out the port holes to clean them, but it keeps happening. I started turning the propane way up and then down and that seems to make it go away (the little flames). I've had the torch about 3 years... does it need an overhaul?
My propane tank is pretty full and I checked the oxy hoses and concentrators and everything seems to be running fine. There's no soot coming from the torch and my beads are not getting dirty.
Thanks in advance!

[kbinkster]

It sounds like the oxygen isn't getting up where it needs to be - like maybe the spaces behind the fuel tubes might need to be cleaned. Is it coming up around all the ports or just a few? Let me know and Willy and I might be able to walk you through cleaning it yourself.

[lnew]

Hi, Thanks for your reply.
The extra flames are coming up around almost all the port holes, missing maybe a couple on the left hand side.
When the flame is out I can feel the oxygen coming from the torch on my hand. I was trying to remember if it was as strong as usual...

[kbinkster]

It sounds like something may have gotten behind the face, behind the little oxygen ports where the tubes lay up against the wall. If you PM me your phone number, Willy can call and help you.

[LadyHaak]

I am having the exact same problem. I've used all the apporpriate tools to clean the torch, adjusted flames and tried both my oxycons, one at a time.
Please help. Do I need a new torch?

[gwacie]

When I've had that sort of problem it's always been propane related. Either the tank is nearly empty or possibly your hose if full of gook. Propane gas has an additive (the stinky bits) that can settle in your hose. Have you cleaned it out lately? I hook mine up to one of my compressors to force the junk out - it's a mess yucky process.

Also, if you take your oxy hose off the torch and turn on your concentrators are you able to feel the pressure? Is it steady?

Torches are pretty simple in construction so unless you have it clogged what you put in will come out the other end if the valves are open (knobs).

Good luck.

[LadyHaak]

When I've had that sort of problem it's always been propane related. Either the tank is nearly empty or possibly your hose if full of gook. Propane gas has an additive (the stinky bits) that can settle in your hose. Have you cleaned it out lately? I hook mine up to one of my compressors to force the junk out - it's a mess yucky process.

Also, if you take your oxy hose off the torch and turn on your concentrators are you able to feel the pressure? Is it steady?

Torches are pretty simple in construction so unless you have it clogged what you put in will come out the other end if the valves are open (knobs).

Good luck.
I can't get my hose off the torch. Is there a trick to it?

[kbinkster]

Do not try to remove the 12" lines that come off the back of the torch. Your regular hose set should be connected to the ends of these short lines and secured by a hose clamp. Unscrew the hose clamp and twist off the hose. Sometimes, it can be really stubborn. To help get the line back on, put a little drop of dish soap slightly thinned with a couple of drops of water onto the brass barb. Don't get it into the opening of the barb -just the outside of it so it slides into the hose more easily.

[gwacie]

OH sorry, I should have been more specific. What Kimbelry said - not the part of the hose that came with the torch!