Paraffin Leak.

[Ian]

We have a nice old (1930ish) tabletop Tilley lamp that has been in the family since then. For the enthusiasts here it is a TL10 identical to the one on the left here:

http://www.tilleylamps.co.uk/index.php?&pages=TL10

I wish I could find a bead fringe to finish it off.

Anyway, it sits on the sideboard ready to go as needed. The Missus yesterday noticed a little paraffin on the sideboard top. I keep the pump loose a turn or so but I think it had either vibrated shut or the Brownies had tightened it.

We have had a couple of severe atmospheric pressure swings in the last week so I think the air had gone into the lamp base with high pressure and then expanded with low pressure pushing liquid slowly up the pump and out the top past the pump stem. Not enough pressure though to seal the NRVs unfortunately. The pump was solid with liquid when I checked.

So the lamp now sits empty and a 'ready use' bottle of paraffin sits with the pre-heater meths bottle and matches in the cupboard.

Be warned.

[Carrot Cruncher]

I keep my Tilley in the Garage alongside some Hurricane lamps ready for use. About 3 weeks ago I noticed a similar problem where some Paraffin had leaked onto the worktop underneath. I am sure there are no leaks within the lamp itself so maybe that is what happened with mine also.

[nickdutch]

I guess changes in temperature can manipulate the quantity of air volume in the thing too. say changes from 1 degree (night) to 5 degrees (day) could make a lot of difference to air volume too