I have an (Old Grouch, USMC) Optimus 111T which, when primed with denatured alcohol, lights and burns well (blue flame) on kerosene. I can't see any small fires at the spindle or anywhere else. No apparent underburn. Stove seems to turn off properly. Twice, recently, I have picked up the stove after it has cooled, and about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch depth of kerosene has leaked out into the box. I have a new NRV and pump leather installed. Any idea where is the leak? Thanks. Seab
If the outside of the tank is not wet then it is leaking by the spindle. My kero lanterns do this regularly even though they operate properly and shut off properly. I would loosen the fuel cap once the stove is completely out and store loose. You can try removing the spindle and cleaning the tapered end with 0000 steel wool. Dave
no flame at the spindle when it runs, its not leaking at the spindle. I wonder if you are shutting it off wrong. If you shut it off with the cleaning needle up through the jet fuel will leak out of the jet. To shut it off the needle has to be down. Or your needle may be set wrong. Basically remove the needle assembly with the jet out. Turn stove off. Look down the burner as you turn reg on, you will see the spindle cogs turn, turn 4 - 5 cog teeth. put needle assembly back it, wind down, replace jet, have a coffee. Also make sure the compression nut where the burner meets the tank it tight, and has no gunk on mating surfaces. Dan
Will have to wait until weekend to take it apart, but will look at spindle, packing, clicks and gunk. I turn it off clockwise; can see needle appear at end of counterclockwise turn. Am appreciative of the input. Thanks, each of you. Seab
1/2 inch of fuel sloshing about is a fire hazard for sure. Don't take it lightly. As a quick fix, depressurising the tank directly after shut off may ease the problem. I agree with looking at the cleaning needle. The moving parts are always the most probable causes. After that check for cracks or leaks in the fuel line. The burner tank coupling, or possibly even the joint where the fuel line exits the tank could be the culprit. If it gets to a point where you can't make out where the fuel is coming from. Try to trace the origin by taking the burner out of the shell and put it on a clean sheet of cloth or paper. Pressurize it and wait for the first stain to show up, and work from there.
A leak that big should be apparent when you turn it off. However, I am noticing that as the years go by some of the smaller things in life sneak by more often than in years past. Anyway, a simple way to find the leak is with some foot spray that has talcum powder in it. Get the stove hot and shut it off, and in a minute or two after it has cooled give it a spritz with the foot spray and when the leak starts happening it will be quite apparent where it is coming from.
Thanks, everyone, for your advice and guidance. Medical emergency in family, so Optimus 111t fettle must wait a couple of weeks. Seab
Read advice given. Fired it twice away from the metal box and could see that the leak was definitely coming through the jet. Removed moving parts. Cleaned every part really well with canned cleaner and polished them with 0000 wool. Assembled it with 4 clicks on needle. Used new packing. Primed it and fired it with kero. Really good blue burn with more simmer control than before. Shortly after it was shut off, there was a tiny, tiny amount of kero spray. After 15 mins., I think less than 1/8 teaspoon had escaped, so I released the tank pressure and it stopped. When I have more time, will again disassemble and fine tune. Will try three clicks. At least I am sure of the problem and solution. I am reading every post I can find on the Optimus stoves. Really great site. Thanks, all of you. Seab
Try 5 clicks, rather than 3. Also try without the needle, if it works without the needle then the problem is the needle setting. If it does not work without the needle it will be the making surface of the spindle. The spindle is removed by screwing it out as you also unscrew the stuffing box nut.
YES!! Used 0000 steel wool to polish spindle end, had a clean burn without the needle, reset the needle to what i think is five, and it doesn't leak after shut off. Thank you, everyone. Seab
