Had exactly the same problem with mine, open up the actual handle and replace the two tiny o rings inside. Dead easy to do and solved the leaking problem, I leave mine constantly connected and it keeps pressure on the o rings. Mine had dried out after being stored without the bottle connected. Good luck.

Hi, Andrew. I have a Vortex brand torch that runs on either propane or Mapp gas canisters. I bought this brand rather than Rothenberger as a couple of friends have had leakage problems with Rothenberger. The Vortex torch is all aluminium bodied with piezo auto ignition and come with 3 different sized flame nozzles. I got mine about 4 years ago fromy local plumbers merchants when they had an offer on them. I've used several brands of Mapp gas in it and never had any problems at all.

I have a benzormatic that looks almost identical with the exception of the shut off valve. I have used mine quite expensively with propane and map. Never any trouble. My father has one that is going on 25 years old. Still works flawlessly and it's the reason I bought mine.

I think you may have been unlucky. I have had two of these and used them as a professional Gas installer for 35+ years with no issues whatsoever. I have used them on both "Rothenberger Mapp gas" and on a hose connected to a 9kg propane cylinder. Of course there's no telling if all those years ago they used better quality components in the manufacture of them.

Good morning, Andrew, Thanks for this information as it has a familiar ring. Like Rich I have basically the same torch, a simple Bernzomatic without the ignitor, which I purchased many years ago and used with the Bernzomatic propane tanks. I never had a problem and would leave the nozzle always attached. Last year I changed to a MAPP tank, left the nozzle attached, and when I tried to use the torch again about a month later, I found the tank to be empty. This was quite concerning because I store the torch in my basement, the tank was full, and MAPP gas costs more than propane! I purchased another cylinder and now remove the nozzle after every use. This seems to have remedied the problem. Be well.

Sievert has the same type of small gas cilinders like rotheberger, ultramapp gas. Did buy mine years ago second hand. Its is a type "modular" for different type of burners and uses piezo to ignite. Last time I used was 2 years back, did check it now and still gas in it and starts immediatly.

Ive had the same problem! had mine for like 2 years. I only used non rothenberger gas cylinders and i stored it screwed on as i dont get the point of having to unscrew every use and wasting gas. My dad googled the problem and they said what you just said non repairable or you can risk buying a £30 odd set of parts which wont probably even work, so i bought a cheaper copy and that is doing ok atm just see how it goes😎.

I have 2 of these. 1 of which is so old and well used the thread connection to the gas bottle has worn out. Torch still functions fine but I try not to use it because of the thread. Second one is probably 6-7 years old and functions perfectly, used every week. Sad to see this if the quality and after sales has gone

have a bernzomatic, had for at least 12 yrs and used many bottles through mine, and too date never an issue,

Used them every day as a professional plumber. They are worn out after a couple of years. For the money they should last longer. Worked with a commercial HVAC pipe fitter, and he was buying them three at a time.

Does it leak if the shut off / flow control needle valve is closed?

I have had my Benzomatic hanging on a nail in my shop for 12 years now with the can attached any can because I'm cheap and it has worked flawlessly without fail I do however turn it off when not in use and I live in a very hostile desert environment las Vegas🙂

There's a video on KZfaq on how to replace the seal in the handle. Worth a watch. I think he just lubricated the seal and refittedvit? In any case it solved the leak from the hole in the handle. I'm regretting just buying one😩

Hi Andrew, buy a sievert with a 4.7kg propane bottle that you can keep under the bench. They do many different sizes of handles and burners so you should be able to find something suitable. I use mine constantly in the workshop for my model engineering needs and wouldn't be without it! Great channel by the way !

Welcome to our throwaway society . It’s a shame the way things are made now and how manufacturers don’t stand behind their products. I do miss the days when there were fix-it shops around the corner and things were made to be taken apart and repaired.

Good to know, thanks. So many companies are cheaping out now. We're not allowed anything good anymore. If you have stuff that was made 10 years ago, KEEP IT. Never sell it. Repair it. I had a 3D printer from 5 years ago which died on me and I couldn't fix it. I bought the same printer again and ended up taking a lot of components from the old printer and putting on the new one, even though the new one is about 30% more expensive now, it's full of cheap crap where they seem to have been cutting corners after every one they sell.

Hello Andrew. No excuse for bad after-sales service even if you have just got a faulty example. I have had a similar Primus torch for many years and have bought a variety of different sized nozzles for different types of job. It doesn't have Piezo ignition, and it uses either refillable Propane cylinders of similar size to the one you are using, or you can get, as I have, a hose to connect to a small dumpy Propane bottle. I don't know if you can use Mapp has and I have never needed to with the nozzles I have. It has given me excellent service and I have not had any difficulty in exchanging the gas containers when the are exhausted.

Hi Andrew, had the same problem as you a couple of years ago, and If I remember correctly it was a seal compatibility issue with the gas. And yes, you've guessed it, Rothenberger were an utter waste of time. Currently using a similar style torch from Bullfinch, and so far so good. I think you're wise to steer clear of the Chinese copies when dealing with gas. They're dirt cheap for a reason.

Hi Andrew, I have the same torch (had it for at least 30 years), here in the US it is labeled Bernzomatic (mine was made in the US), I just loved the thing but it started leaking because of a deteriorated valve 5 years ago, now they are probably making them out of chinesium. it seems many companies in that country are now taking engineered obsolescence to the next level. I then looked for a repair kit but I felt it was not cost effective. I took it apart and cleaned it well and now I have a slow leak so I just remove the bottle when I am done. Rich

I've got three at the moment, which are years old and almost used daily for work. Personally I've never had a problem. Not counting the one I ran over though!

Hi Andrew, mine's about 6 years now, never had an issue.

thanks for the tip mr whale. and they are not cheap also ?

Bit surprised about this Andrew, must be 100s of plumbers using them. Scary if its leaking gas unattended. I use the Sivert large gun for silver soldering but it has a large gas tank (that I use for heating in the garage during winter). Sivert have a similar gun but very very expensive. Buy some matches. Lol. Hope you get it sorted. Stay well.

I have recently bought one of these blow torches and the fault is the gas valve knob appears to have not fully close, this resulted in a accident to property. The flame was out from what I could see but there must of been a faint kind of invisible flame still present. First Rothenberger's response was to take it up with the retailer, I remind them of their manufacturer's responsibilities and the fact that property has been damaged as a result of a faulty product. The product is going to be returned for manufacturer testing.

Same problem. I took the bottle off to transport safely and when I put it back on in leaked no matter what I did. I thought maybe a seal washer had dropped out unnoticed when I took the bottle off, but in view of what you've said. It's a classic case of a rotten company who don't give a damn about the consumer or the planet. WIll let you know if they get back to me with anything useful, but not expecting much. Shame because I'd been very happy with it up until now.

thanks Andrew , i was just about to buy me the torch!

Had a gas leak on mine too, its leaking out of the pressure relief hole, where your middle finger goes when you hold it and its unrepairable unless you dismantle the body. As this type of torch has been copied (design flaws and all) by other manufacturers and are selling for just over £20, I am not going to spend £65+ on another one as so many people are having problems with gas leakage. Also as the service kit costs more than a new copy torch and won't repair the leakage I have, it is pointless to get one. So for me, its buy a copy torch and throw it away when it starts leaking, rinse and repeat. Definitely not buying another rothenberger every time it starts to leak.

In this day and age the true intent of the the product was fulfilled...not to give the consumer a dependable long life product, but to give the eight people seated around the boardroom table more comfort than they deserve. It seems like planned failure is part of the engineering process. I wish you luck in finding a half decent tool my friend, hopefully someone will recommend a brand that will survive the rigors of your demanding shop. Cheers

I think you have been unlucky, I use mine professionally rattling around in my van when not in use, I think the last time I replaced it was 10 or 12 years ago.

Probably find that they don't "repair" under warranty either as it isn't cost effective for them, they just provide a replacement.

I’ve never removed the canister during storage, oops 🥴

Superfire 2s are great lol havent had 1 issue with mine ever fires first time every time

I have a US version for at least 25 years and have not had a problem, but I will say if they don't repair units out of warranty, I doubt if they repair units that are under warranty, they probably throw away the defective one and ship you a new one.

I have had one for about 20 years never had any problems with it still works perfectly You must have been unlucky

Mine developed exactly the same fault. Won’t be buying Rothenburger again…

Cheap rubber o-ring. They should have used a nitrile or viton. But they used cheap rubber.

That one is probably made in China too. It's a long way to send something for repair. They wouldn't repair them whilst in warranty, they would just replace it. Probably only about £3 from the manufacturer.

Disgusting service!, people pay extra to be safe, these things blowing up in peoples faces seems to be quite common

Got one, exactly the same problem. In the skip now. What a useless company.

By the way. That's shocking CS from rothenberger! They sell the repair kit OK but refuse to offer any aftermarket service! They deserve to go bust in my book.

They absolutely would not fix it under warranty, they'd bin it and send you a fresh one Speaking from experience

Since you've got nothing to lose, why not just pull it apart and see if you can find the cause of the problem ? It may just be a perished O-ring.

One thing you dont want problems with is your gas torch. Dangerous enough when they are working properly. I invested in a Sievert and have not regretted it. I have a couple of different sized nozzles for it and run it off a small tank of camping gas. Although the tank is bulky the torch has a long hose so the tank is never in the way.

I have just looked on you tube. A few failures similar to yours. It appears to be an O ring. The access is gained from where the bottle screws in. It is far from just a straight forward unscrew and replace procedure. The brass workings are put in then struck and distorted so they cannot come out. This then requires drilling holes in the brass internals to remove it, and get to the O ring. I think I would just pay £50 and get a new one. I have seen the damage a faulty gas torch can do. Very nearly burnt down my parents house. It is just not worth it. I will say I have had one for more than 10 years and no issues at all.

Typical large company attitude they build junk never back up sale service and charge like a wounded bull. I looked their products several years ago but a mate it would be like p- ing down the toilet, so another company got my money.

Benzomatic all the way

That torch is a waste of time and money unfortunately.