Hi all! A while ago, I bought those two Optimus 111. I would like to use them, but both of them do not work. I tried to use them with white gas, but i'm not able to produce pressure with the pump. I read through several threads here, but i'm not sure where to start. Do you think i have to replace the pump leather? What should i check first? Thanks in advance! Best Peter
Greetings, @HerrTurTur ,Welcome to CCS! Both of your Optimus are excellent stoves, but need some basic maintenance. I see that one pump has a leather pump bucket, but does the other have the same leather pump bucket, or is it a rubber O-ring, instead? As to the blue 111, it appears to be what we call a 111T, and it is meant for kerosene (paraffin), Coleman Fuel, or Meths. Each fuel requires a different jet, and possibly a proper air restrictor. The black cased 111 looks to be a 111C, but without more photos, it’s hard to be sure. If it is a “C” model, the gasket in the pump assembly should be a rubber O-ring. The leather pump bucket (gasket) might be revived by soaking it in motor oil, gun oil, or even Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for a few days, occasionally removing the rod from the container of oil and gently rubbing the oil into the leather, then replacing it for more soaking. IF it responds by softening the leather, then after a few days, you can gently open up the leather bucket at the front, so that it offers a better seal when pumping air into the fuel tank. If the other stove has a rubber O-ring on the pump rod, you can rub a light grease into the rubber, which may, or may not, help it to get a better purchase inside the pump tube. I realize that this might seem daunting to a new Stovie, but in truth, it’s really easy and simple to do either task. Please check the Fettling area, and search for “111 stove” there, and you will find tons of great info on doing these simple tasks, with plenty of photos to show how to do the needed maintenance. I hope this helps you a bit, but please know that both stoves are great, and worth your efforts to keep them in good running and safe running condition! Good luck, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc PS - In the Fettling Forum, do aa search for “Optimus 111 Work to be Done”. Lots of good information here on the things you will need to learn. Good luck!
Thanks for the quick reply Doc! I'll let the leather of the pump bucket soak some olive oil for a few days. And I'll check the other pump bucket and do some research in the forum. I'll let you know if it works. I'm heading for the outdoors over the weekend and take my Bartel Juwel 34 with me ;-) Best Peter
Hi Doc, soaking the 111T leather pump bucket worked! It softened increased in diameter, so I was able to build pressure. Here's a video running it with coleman fuel. VID_20210710_120305.mp4 As to the blue 111, it appears to be what we call a 111T, and it is meant for kerosene (paraffin), Coleman Fuel, or Meths. ach fuel requires a different jet, and possibly a proper air restrictor. How do i identify the jets? I have some parts of (see foto) and the jet has an A on the surface, so it's the Alcohol jet. I have an "instruction sheet" from the 111C,m which explains the parts. I'll try to get the 111T to work properly also. I see that one pump has a leather pump bucket, but does the other have the same leather pump bucket, or is it a rubber O-ring, instead? The foto (from the first post) with the leather pump bucket is from the blue 111T. I'm not sure on the the other one from the black 111C. It could be leather, but it's not that soft and a bit "thinner", so it may be rubber. I've made a picture of both. The left is the leather/111T one. ....to be continued....
So i guess its rubber on the second/11C one. I'll try that and do some more research in the fettling forum. Thanks Doc!
@HerrTurTur , You are welcome, Sir! Truthfully, I am not a fan of the O-ring type pumps, an MUCH prefer the leather pump buckets. I have attempted to find the older pump rods and buckets, as often as I can, so I can swap out the rubber O-ring pumps for the earlier model, which, IMHO, is FAR more dependable, and easy to service. Just my two cents...... Good luck, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
I bought same kind of Optimus 111 stove at local web flea market a few days ago . Not quite in mint condition as yours, but it works. Even the tank was filled with paraffin - but the flame was orange. I switched the fuel to gasoline (white gas, 4-t pienkonebensa, alkylat-benzin) and the stove started to work pretty well, even soot burned off from the burner. Obviously the restrictor is right for white gas and paraffin.
You probably meant jet, or nipple, for white gas or paraffin. Just to be clear .. The restrictor is a tube to put between the jet and the burner. It restricts air flow and is ONLY used when using alcohol with the alcohol jet.
Hi @Jukka Pekka Here is a similar stove with some added instructions in the case lid: Op.111 Hiker ex British Military. Best Regards, Kerophile.
