Svea sputtering?

Discussion in 'Svea No: 123 & 123R' started by Rob Carignan, May 17, 2020.

  1. Rob Carignan United States

    Offline
    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2020
    Messages:
    12
    Location:
    Portland, Maine
    I'm having trouble shooting my Svea 123 stove. I picked it up with box of other camping gear (mostly useless) last fall. I've cleaned it and put a new wick in. I'm using Coleman white gas. However, when I light it, I first get a leap of yellow flame, then it dies down to a blue flame, and then a sputtering. I really don't feel any heat. Sometimes it goes out.

    Any suggestions?

    Thanks,
    Rob Carignan
    Portland, Maine

    IMG_2033.jpg
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 17, 2020
  2. Ed Winskill

    Ed Winskill United States Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2004
    Messages:
    14,243
    Location:
    Tacoma, Washinghton, USA
    Pistol or rifle?8]

    Welcome to CCS. Many experts will likely chime in. When the 123 is up and running properly, it has a characteristic rapid pulse or 'flutter', but that doesn't sound like what you are experiencing.
     
  3. Rob Carignan United States

    Offline
    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2020
    Messages:
    12
    Location:
    Portland, Maine
    It seemed to be running good, then I ran out of fuel. Jesum crow. Once it's cooled I'll refill and film it.
     
  4. Ed Winskill

    Ed Winskill United States Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2004
    Messages:
    14,243
    Location:
    Tacoma, Washinghton, USA
    That could be it!



    It's happened to all of us....
     
    Last edited: May 17, 2020
  5. Rob Carignan United States

    Offline
    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2020
    Messages:
    12
    Location:
    Portland, Maine
  6. The Warrior

    The Warrior United States Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2019
    Messages:
    2,396
    Location:
    Illinois, USA
    You need to prime it with some denatured alcohol first, to warm it up. Skip to about 1:34 of this video:



    This is mine after it warms up. I had to change the fuel cap seal. Very common problem:

     
    Last edited: May 17, 2020
  7. Metropolitantrout

    Metropolitantrout SotM Winner Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2011
    Messages:
    1,224
    Location:
    Santa Cruz, CA
    Hi Rob,
    First off, welcome! Videos are a great way to show others your stove's issues. Good job on yours.

    You posted this to the Stove Reference Gallery. Typically that's for posting stoves as a reference. No biggie but the Stove Forum is probably more appropriate for inquiries.

    Your Svea is a 123R model which has an adjustable cleaning needle below the jet. I suspect yours needs to be adjusted. The second post on this thread is worth trying.
    Svea 123R Shutoff Problem vs Svea 123

    @Tony Press This post is excellent for rebuilding the stove.
    Svea 123 Disassembly Someone posted a video half way down the link but it's got some bad info. Especially the part about making seals with an inner tube. DO NOT DO THIS! Seals need to be made of fuel resistant rubber like Viton.

    As long as you have the jet off to access the needle, you should give the jet a cleaning. I toss mine in vinegar for 5 mins and give it a good shaking. I then use some fine copper wire and give it a quick flossing. Minor carbon build up can affect the performance.

    A few other things worth trying:
    The fuel cap seal and pip get hard over the years and need to be replaced. Those can be had from the Fettlebox on this site.

    Priming your stove with it's own fuel works but it's sooty. I prefer alcohol.

    When you changed the wick, did you use cotton? Is it snug but not too tight?

    A few tweaks and your stove will run like new. Good luck, Jerry
     
    Last edited: May 17, 2020
  8. Ed Winskill

    Ed Winskill United States Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2004
    Messages:
    14,243
    Location:
    Tacoma, Washinghton, USA
    Along with the other advice, use the windshield from the beginning. It will make a lot of difference.
     
  9. Majicwrench

    Majicwrench Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2012
    Messages:
    2,297
    Too windy for one thing, need to block wind.
    Methinks all the way left--with bubble coming up--is NOT off. All the way clockwise is off. You are just pushing the cleaning needle up going all the way left.

    Preheat!! Fill the little depression with alcohol or CF and light, let it burn, then light stove.

    That sputter noise will get much more pronounced when it takes off and runs correctly. Embrace the sputter.
     
  10. kerophile

    kerophile United Kingdom SotM Winner Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2004
    Messages:
    14,192
    Location:
    Far North of Scotland
     
  11. kerophile

    kerophile United Kingdom SotM Winner Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2004
    Messages:
    14,192
    Location:
    Far North of Scotland
  12. Rob Carignan United States

    Offline
    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2020
    Messages:
    12
    Location:
    Portland, Maine
    It's been a year and I'd thought I would give an update. I ended up buying a parts kit and the 123R now works just fine. I was having some trouble, so I backed the wick out a tad and cut it down to about 2"(from 4"). From all the videos I have been watching, I think my "sputtering" is a normal aspect as the fuel vaporizes.

    Thanks for all the advice last year.
     
  13. geneislucky

    Offline
    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2013
    Messages:
    394
    Thanks for the update and congrats on solving your problem.
     
  14. Ed Winskill

    Ed Winskill United States Subscriber

    Offline
    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2004
    Messages:
    14,243
    Location:
    Tacoma, Washinghton, USA
    "Fluttering" is more like it....8]