Hello All On the above. I've just dug out my old 8R (hasn't been used for 20 years!) and I'd like to get it back in use. Couple of queries though before I fire it up: It not having been used for so long, I'd like to check the pressure release (?) valves in the filler caps (I have the original standard one and one for the Midi pump). Is it possible to strip these down? It looks like there is a hex key socket in the top which I assume opens the cap up to allow access to some form of seal? Second - and not so critical as the above: Could anyone recommend a suitable blue paint to re-furbish the case - mine's pretty rusted & it would be great to have it back. (NB I'm in the UK) Lastly, anything else I should consider? The burner looks clean and works easily & now that (thanks to this great site!) I know how to re-furbish the wick I'll do that too. Thanks in advance Roy
Roy, do not disassemble the check valves they are preset to function at a certain pressure. If you are unsure as to the safety of yours, contact Base Camp and buy another fuel fill cap. Ford Cosmos Blue seems to be the colour of choice for a repaint on the Optimus stoves which origionaly were blue. lance
Check the filler cap packing to see if it's still soft. If it is, try firing up your stove. A fill of fresh fuel is most likely all it needs. My 123 fired up and ran like new after sitting unused for over twenty years. I didn't even put in fresh fuel. I think those little petrol burners are nearly bulletproof. Gerry
Hi Salar Thanks for that - yup that was the original (excellent) article I found that got me thinking about getting the old stove going again. Regards Roy
It's not that difficult to overhaul those valves, them being essentially reversed non-return pump valves. Only problem is the pentagonal key socket, which will likely be damaged when trying to use an ordinary (hexagonal) key. So either file a key into the right shape, or just turn off the outsticking part gently with a well fitting pair of pliers. Most likely the only part that might need replacing, will be the nitrile valve rubber. Then just screw the whole lot back together in the proper order. Lance is quite right though that this kind of tampering is not to be recommended, unless as last resort. Much better first check whether valve caps are functioning properly anyway. Jur
Recently, I ran into a rather unusual 8R problem. The stove would not develop full heat even though it had a fresh cap gasket, along with other repairs. The surface of the filler cap where the gasket mated had been damaged slightly. I took a piece of Crocus cloth backed by a piece of flat metal to polish the end of the tank filler tube. Upon reassembly, the stove developed a much larger and hotter flame. Apparently, this polishing enabled the gasket to make a better seal. Ken H.
