I lighted my msr gk that I just got on eBay. I used a brand new pump and bottle. It worked great. However, when I went to shut it off, it continued to burn for another 15 minutes after I twisted the flow control valve to the off position. So I turned the valve a little harder, it didn't feel like it moved at all but the fuel quickly stopped flowing and the flame went out. Also the valve turns very stiffly. I also turned the valve all the way open and closed and it didn't effect the output of the stove. Could that be blamed on the pump or is that more likely the result of an older stove? Is this typical for msr pumps or should I think about returning the pump? I am new to these camping stoves, as a matter of fact this is the first time I ever lighted a camp stove of any kind. So please forgive my simple sounding question.
Did you get instructions with that stove, Z? If not, there are some here. It cautions not to over-tighten the valve. Also, how easily the flame is extinguished depends on the fuel used. Usually the flame can be blown out after the valve is closed. Plenty of info when searched on the site.
Hi, ZZZ, The newest MSR pump is a good one, and far better than many of it's predecessors. The fuel control valve "can" feel a bit stiff, and that is by design. I usually "feather" my MSR pumps closed, taking it a tiny turn at a go, until the fuel stops flowing. It's normal for a small flame to linger for a bit, most especially on the older MSR stoves. As to whether your stove is working as it should, I think I remember seeing that one offered on eBay, and noted that someone had changed the base of the stove from the phenolic original material, to a metal base. Given that history, I'd be wondering if the insides of the burner were mucked with, too, and would strip the burner for an "inventory" of it's parts, and a good, deep cleaning. IF your GK is as it should be, there should be a larger/wider jet than was later used, and underneath it, should be a "surge damper", with a small brass mesh inside the jet. Those surge dampers usually need a good, deep cleaning, and I do it with citric acid solution, in which I soak the damper, than scrub it with a stiff toothbrush until it's bright and clean. Reassemble as per spec, and your GK should work very well. Have you posted a photo of the stove you received? If so, I have missed it, and would appreciate knowing where you posted it. If not, please take some detailed photos of your stove, and share them here. That way, I, and others, can see, exactly, which GK you received (as the later ones were basically the same as the X-GK, which replaced the G and GK). Give your stove a good inspection, and cleaning, and don't forget to remove the cleaning cable, and use it to really scrub out your fuel line, then clean it, and replace it in the fuel line, properly. That should leave your stove working very well, indeed, with good results. I hope this helps, but if not, give me a shout, with specific questions, and I'll do my best to answer. Good luck, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc {admin edit - replies from duplicate post merged} Hi, ZZZ, I tried to post a reply to your question, but apparently did not click "post reply", and it did not appear here. Basically, I wanted to see some photos of your stove, and most importantly, the jet. The GK stove had two versions, the last of which has a jet redesign, and soon became the X-GK. If you have the original version, then your jet is wider, and there is a "surge damper" underneath the jet. That needs to be removed and cleaned, until it is shiny and bright, then replaced, and the fuel line cable needs to be removed, and then used to scour out the fuel line. When the line is clean, clean off the cable, and reinsert it into the fuel line, as it was originally. Your new pump was designed to be a little stiff in it's action, and I use a "feathering" technique to close it, taking it a tiny turn at a time, until the flame is out. As Laitch mentioned, you can blow out what tiny bit of flame might linger when the stove it actually out. Yes, you must be careful about not twisting your valve TOO tightly, but you still need to close it firmly enough that fuel doesn't leak out of it. Please post a few photos of your stove, if you have not done so already. I remember seeing that stove on eBay, and if memory serves, it was changed by a former owner, who replaced the original base material. I'd recommend a complete inspection of the burner, inside, and out, to make sure that the former owner put it back into it's originally designed configuration, just to be safe. I hope that helps you, but if you have more questions, please do not hesitate to ask. Good luck, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
You are exactly right about the stove. I just got it off eBay last week. I fired it up this morning and it took 10 minutes to get the water boiling. I will follow your advice and give it a good cleaning. I actually ordered 2 stoves, a new xgk and a Chinese knock off BSR 8A. I am going to use the GK as a backup to my new XGK. I wanted a second backup and didn't have much money left and that is why I purchased the BSR 8A. I hope these pictures help. {ADMIN EDIT - Duplicate posts merged} Here are some pictures. I hope this isn't a duplicate post because I tried posting these for you already. Does the fuel line just simply pull out and do I just unscrew the jet to take it out?
It did come with an instruction manual. That is where I read the part about not over tightening it and that is why I was concerned about it. Thanks for the link
I just bought a new MSR fuel pump last weekend.Yes a bit stiff but been told by several it is designed that way.
