I just picked up a vintage Ronson Varaflame Premier lighter made in NJ for lighting cigars, which I only occasionally smoke. I'll try to post a pic tomorrow.

As would be expected, I had to clean out the flint tube and get some crud out of there so the flint would touch the wheel. That and a charge of butane, and I had myself a sweet looking vintage lighter.

As I was turning in last night, I decided to put the lighter in a snack size Ziplock brand baggie and squeeze all the air out of it as a rudimentary means of checking for a gas leak. Sure enough this AM, the baggie is inflated, though not tight as a balloon or anything.

I'm hoping someone out in DTR land can guide me on this in deciding whether it's an ornament, or some amount of leakage is normal and shouldn't be a concern. I don't carry a lighter in my pocket- just out to the back porch!

Thanks in advance,
Mike

 

spray it down with a little DAWN and water so you can see which part is leaking.

 

Don't know why I didn't think of that.

 

or it has been away from NJ too long, and needs a dose of radiation to get it back to being sealed...... airport xray machine might do the trick....... kidding of course, but the soapy water should have you on your way.