I was given an older (probably 13-15 years old) MSR Whisperlite International Stove by a friend who doesn't use it anymore. I spent about an hour cleaning it and replacing the seal etc from the kit and also bought some shellite from bunnings to use with it. Primed it first and it went sort of fine. It was a bit loud but the noise is not constant. Not sure if it is clogged somewhere.
Anyway, to my horror, fire started on the top of the bottle. I can't see any visible leak. I can only assume it is caused by the vapour from the fuel. Luckily, I put it out quickly. Well, the fuel pump assembly is partially melted and I need to get a new one.
What gives? What did I do wrong?
Older MSR Whisperlite International 600
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TIP: The online Bushwalk Inventory System can help bushwalkers with a variety of bushwalk planning tasks, including: Manage which items they take bushwalking so that they do not forget anything they might need, plan meals for their walks, and automatically compile food/fuel shopping lists (lists of consumables) required to make and cook the meals for each walk. It is particularly useful for planning for groups who share food or other items, but is also useful for individual walkers.
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Older MSR Whisperlite International 600
by pandabear » Tue 02 Jul, 2013 1:18 pm
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Re: Older MSR Whisperlite International 600
by Redtail » Tue 02 Jul, 2013 6:21 pm
Sounds like it may be a bit dirty or clogged, as you suggest.
Strip down the burner and fuel line completely and clean it thoroughly.
You can pull the entire cable out of the fuel line, scrub it down and soak the line itself to get the junk out.
Even when using the cleanest fuel, these things can clog with carbon.
They're designed to be field serviceable, so it's pretty easy.
Make sure it's thoroughly dry before reassembling and using.
Shame about the pump. You should be able to buy a complete new one.
Is the burner fitted with the correct size jet for Shellite? They come with two different jets for different fuels, e.g. petrol (or even diesel?) vs shellite
Again, it's part of their design so they can be easily swapped and used most places in the world.
If the noise is up and down like a harmonic, it's possibly due to dirt. (Or a worn throttle valve, but you'll never know for sure now yours is melted)
If the noise drops off, it may be just a steady drop in pressure from the fuel bottle.
Experience with my own (same model, about 10 years old and going strong!) is that you sometimes need to pump it while it's running. Which can be a bit tricky if you've got a cook up on the go.
HTH
Strip down the burner and fuel line completely and clean it thoroughly.
You can pull the entire cable out of the fuel line, scrub it down and soak the line itself to get the junk out.
Even when using the cleanest fuel, these things can clog with carbon.
They're designed to be field serviceable, so it's pretty easy.
Make sure it's thoroughly dry before reassembling and using.
Shame about the pump. You should be able to buy a complete new one.
Is the burner fitted with the correct size jet for Shellite? They come with two different jets for different fuels, e.g. petrol (or even diesel?) vs shellite
Again, it's part of their design so they can be easily swapped and used most places in the world.
If the noise is up and down like a harmonic, it's possibly due to dirt. (Or a worn throttle valve, but you'll never know for sure now yours is melted)
If the noise drops off, it may be just a steady drop in pressure from the fuel bottle.
Experience with my own (same model, about 10 years old and going strong!) is that you sometimes need to pump it while it's running. Which can be a bit tricky if you've got a cook up on the go.
HTH
Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away. - Philip K. Dick
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Redtail - Atherosperma moschatum
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