Where to buy control valve o-rings for MSR black/grey pump?

Discussion in 'Fettling Forum' started by zorobabel, Jan 3, 2013.

  1. zorobabel

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    Hello all,

    First post here...
    I'm trying to find a source for the said o-rings. I already have a repair kit (not new), but it's missing that o-ring and has the pump B control valve o-ring (the smaller one).

    Does any one know of a place that sells just these o-rings, or better yet, some other replacement from a hardware store?

    Thanks!
     
  2. yonadav

    yonadav Subscriber

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    Welcome to CCS, Zorobabel,

    You can find all sorts of MSR maintenance kits on eBay.

    Another option is to write to MSR (Cascade Designs) and order the required part(s).

    I got me a nice plastic box with assorted Viton O-rings of all sizes from a hardware store for $15. It fills all my needs for stove O-rings. I believe you can find such assortments at Harbor Freight.

    Yonadav
     
  3. snwcmpr

    snwcmpr SotM Winner Subscriber

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    You can try a auto parts store. Bring the pump in, tell them it needs to be fuel resistant.
    Ken in NC
     
  4. hikerduane

    hikerduane Subscriber

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    I've had mixed results with o-rings from HF for my MSR pumps. Wish I could get the correct sizes so I can rebuild all my MSR pumps correctly and not worry about them leaking out in the field. I wasn't sure CD would sell a batch of the different sizes, I do have a bunch of the large ones for the pump to fuel bottle. My local auto parts store was pretty pricey a few years ago when I first started collecting stoves. Maybe I'll use this as motivation to contact MSR.
    Duane
     
  5. zorobabel

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    Thanks for the welcome and the replies!
    I'll make a trip to the auto-store today, maybe I'll get lucky. I will update with results.

    By the way, the small o-ring I have is not for pump B it's for the yellow pump, I couldn't edit the first post.
    Hikerduane, what seems wrong with the HB o-rings? Did you try the viton or nitrile?
     
  6. Doc Mark

    Doc Mark SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Greetings, Zorobabel,

    Welcome to CCS! I have rebuilt quite a few of those old MSR yellow pumps, and as long as there are no impending stress cracks, of which you need to be VERY aware, the old pumps work very well. Do you have the MSR tutorial which shows the size difference between the old valve "O" rings, and the new valve "O" rings? Your yellow pump should have been made prior to 1986, and that paperwork has an illustration that allows you to pick replacement "O" rings of the proper size. I have used the Nitrile "O" rings from Harbor Freight for quite a few years, and they have always worked perfectly for me. If you get the assortment pack of Nitrile "O" rings from HB, I believe the size you are seeking is 1/8" ID x 1/4" OD, FYI. Take your MSR illustration sheet with you, so you can make sure that size fits your needs. But, I'm 99% certain that it will work just fine. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask me, or to post a note here at CCS. Lots of good Stovies are more than willing to help someone in need. Also, as you are quite close to me, you should consider attending the next CASG (California Stove Gathering) event, which, hopefully, will be taking place in the Spring. We camp, fettle stoves, cook outstanding food on our stoves, and enjoy each others company. You would be welcome to join us, and would probably learn a ton of great information, as well as meeting some of your CA Stovie neighbors! Take care, and God Bless!

    Every Good Wish,
    Doc
     
  7. hikerduane

    hikerduane Subscriber

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    zorobabel
    Doc hit it on the head. For me was getting the right size o-ring. I have three containers of HF o-rings, one is nitrile. Diameters can vary from one style box to the other, then you have SAE or Metric. Some pumps (yellow) I had rebuilt, had leaks later. Wrong diameter o-ring?
    Duane
     
  8. Doc Mark

    Doc Mark SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Hey, HD,

    I'd say your leaking pumps might have been from using the wrong size "O" ring, but it's hard to say for sure. Those old plastic pumps can also leak if they are cracked, even in the tiniest way, or the NRV setup needs extra attention, which can also cause a leak. I have been giving thought to putting together a set of "O" rings, and a few others goodies, for rebuilding those yellow pumps, but am not sure what the liability problems might be from some "less than competent person" doing a poor job, then having it come back to me! :-k :-k :-k :-k :roll: :doh: So, I may well not go that way..... Haven't decided as of yet. Take care, and God Bless!

    Every Good Wish,
    Doc
     
  9. hikerduane

    hikerduane Subscriber

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    I've thought of asking one of our entreprenuers here if they could put together a kit of o-rings in bulk amount in my case of the correct sizes for the yellow pumps. Some have been fine. Sometimes it is hard to get the right diameter, I need to keep a good example of each o-ring for comparison.
    Duane
     
  10. bolexguy

    bolexguy Subscriber

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    I may have some older pump orings at work- I can take a look if you like pm me if interested
     
  11. zorobabel

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    Thanks for the replies again!

    Doc, I don't have the yellow pump, just the control valve o-ring for it :).

    I stopped by O'Reillys last evening, and after much searching, they found a similar o-ring :
    National O-Rings - O-Ring
    Part # 008
    UPC: 725975290460
    3/16 Inch ID x 5/16" OD x 1/16" Thick

    They were about 50c, I bought 2. In the pics: on the left is the original one, then the ones from O'reilly on the right. They seem a bit thicker than the original, but the original is probably more than 20 years old, and is a bit squared.
    I fired up the stove (Whisperlite) and it works. Let's hope for the best. I can't say for sure if the o-rings are nitrile or not, the box didn't say.

    Thanks for the offer bolexguy, I'll wait to see if the ones I bought hold up to use.
    Doc, if the stars align, I might attend the stove gathering.

    Thanks again for all the help yonadav, Ken, Duane, Doc and bolexguy!
     
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  12. snwcmpr

    snwcmpr SotM Winner Subscriber

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    I have a friend that owns a 'seal' company.
    Is there a need for kits of o-rings?
    Or maybe a bulk buy.
    I can talk to them and see. I know they have Viton.

    Ken in NC
     
  13. hikerduane

    hikerduane Subscriber

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    Ken, I'd like to get a bunch of the little ones, I got a batch of the larger ones for the cap to bottle. Some I've replaced in my yellow pumps don't hold pressure and I thought I was using the correct diameter and size. Between yellow, red, gray/black pumps, I have over a dozen and a half I'm sure.
    Duane
     
  14. snwcmpr

    snwcmpr SotM Winner Subscriber

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    I would need to know the exact size you want.
    I haven't heard back, but with their business, it may take a few days.
    It won't ship far, they are in Calif.

    Ken
     
  15. hikerduane

    hikerduane Subscriber

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    I'll have to check this weekend then.
    Duane
     
  16. Doc Mark

    Doc Mark SotM Winner Subscriber

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    Morning, Duane, and All,

    HD, you wrote: "Ken, I'd like to get a bunch of the little ones, I got a batch of the larger ones for the cap to bottle. Some I've replaced in my yellow pumps don't hold pressure and I thought I was using the correct diameter and size. Between yellow, red, gray/black pumps, I have over a dozen and a half I'm sure.
    Duane "

    That brought to mind a similar thing that happened to me with one of the older yellow pumps I was rebuilding. I changed the "o-ring" for the exact one MSR specified, and still have a leak at the fuel valve. So, I got a jewelers loupe which I use for my 18th century pocket watches, and did a closer inspection of the area around and inside the channel. Guess what I found??? beginning at the neck of that hole, and going down the inside edge, was a very tiny crack, which I had been unable to see with my naked eyes! That pump, at some time in it's life, had been damaged beyond repair by an overzealous owner cranking down too far on the fuel valve and cracking it!! So, now that pump is only good for parts, and to look at now and then as a reminder that, even when we "think" we know what we are doing, many times it turns out that we know very little, at all!! Word to the wise: Do NOT crank the fuel value down, hard, on those old yellow pumps, or you will get a leak that cannot be fixed, and have a "parts pump", just like the one I found!! :shock: :? :!: :!: [-X

    HD, get a loupe, or borrow some high intensity magnification, and check around the opening, and down inside the channel of your fuel valve. If it's cracked, you should be able to see it, if your magnification is good, and the light strong. Good luck, and God Bless!

    Every Good Wish,
    Doc

    P.S. If you do not have a cracked pump, then, using the MSR paperwork that shows which "O-ring" size to choose, you should not get a leak. Make sure you are using the proper size, according to MSR's chart. Even a tiny fraction under-size can cause a leak, so be attentive in your inspection, and in your choice of ring size. FYI, all of the Nitrile ones I use for this job came from Harbor Freight, and they work just fine, with no leaks at all...... so far! ;) :shock: :D