If you have a butane lighter that is no longer working properly, it can be very tempting to take it apart to see what is wrong. If your device has no warranty on it, there is generally little harm in doing so, provided you follow the right safety precautions, but what if you have a device such as a Zippo that includes a lifetime warranty for free repairs? Will taking the device apart void your warranty or keep the company from repairing your item without you incurring a charge?
While you will want to consult with the paperwork that came with your specific device, the answer to this question is typically yes. In the case of Zippo, the lighters are designed not to have any user serviceable parts with the exception of the flints. This means that if the wheel breaks, if the wick needs to be replaced, or if the inner material becomes damaged and starts to leak, you will need to send the device in to the manufacturer for repair. Attempting to repair it yourself is absolutely a breach of the warranty and will result in your being charged for repairs.
Taking apart these devices on your own is highly against the terms of the warranty, largely for safety issues. It is simply risky for you to attempt to repair lighters yourself, and it can also mean causing further damage that will mean a more expensive and time consuming repair. When your device has a lifetime or even a temporary warranty, you are always best to simply send it back to the manufacturer so that they can repair it properly and return it to you with the assurance that it is completely safe for use.
At the end of the day, repairing damaged lighters yourself is just a bad idea. Your warranty should cover anything that goes wrong with the device for as long as the warranty is good. If your device shows signs of tampering or that you have taken it apart, however, you will find that it is no longer covered.
Don’t take the risk of voiding the warranty on an expensive item when you can easily contact the company for simple instructions on how to send it in to have it repaired and returned to you completely free of any financial charges.
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