Hi all It’s been a while since I last bought a stove. But I recently got a very old msr wisperlite, on arrival I replaced all o rings and oiled everything else. On first lighting it ran really poorly and I noticed what I thought was a flame coming from the fuel tube. Second light and yes fuel coming out of the top of the fuel tube. Obviously it’s not safe to use but is there a fix That anyone has attempted such as brazing the hole up. I think in all honesty that its doomed. Good job I’ve got a dragonfly coming in the next week.
Hi @Boogy. Where do you mean? The top of the preheat loop? Or somewhere else? I presume you weren't running it as per the photos. You could probably get a preheat loop made up and fitted to the jet base and the hose. But a replacement stove would almost certainly be cheaper. If the flame is elsewhere, please mark an arrow on a photo. Apart from a damaged fuel line, other leakage points should be repairable/replaceable.
:-( I, like you, think it is uneconomic to repair. And unsafe to run. They are common and inexpensive in the US of A. Consider looking there with postage. One of the Australian second hand listings is more expensive than a new one! As for the "running it", that was a poor collection of words by me. I meant that I presume you had it mounted with the bottle etc and NOT lit without the bottle. Don't feel the need to reply! I am just aware that odd things happen sometimes. I have no doubt that the burn location you highlight is only possible with a fully running stove.
Howdy @Boogy , With some footwork on your part, you "might" be able to find a replacement fuel line that MSR used to sell. Here's a link to the newer WPL stove, but with some work, you might be able to modify your stove into the newest version. MSR Whisperlite 600 Fuel Line Assembly (419612) MSR used offer the earlier version replacement for between $25-$35 US. Hopefully, you can score one on the popular auction sites. Good luck, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc
You should be able to get a replacement fuel line, or even just pick up another used stove. Also, that is the earliest type of fuel line, may degrade in parts of the fuel line. Duane
It is not a bad idea to braze the hole. If you know how, and have the parts already. If not, then not a good idea.
I had a whisperlite from the early 1980s. I bought the full rebuild kit and carried it in my pack for over 10 years. I have no idea why. The stove ended up being a flaming mess. This was all before I really got into stoves. I finally got around to using the kit to rebuild the pump. It still was a flaming mess. I threw the whole thing into the trash. I remembered that the other stove we always carried on family backpacking trips was an Optimus 8R. I preferred the MSR since at the time I thought it was easier to light. However, I had lost track of the 8R. It took me a long time to find it, on the other side of the USA. That’s a whole other story. In the meantime, I bought a 123R, found CCS, and the rest is history. I thought I was finished with Whisperlites, but for some reason I recently bought a Universal. Don’t know why. I should have bought the International, as I have no interest in burning butane in it. Good luck on your Whisperlite journey. FYI, I prefer my other remote tank stove, the Optimus Nova. Brad
I no doubt was less skilled in those days, but I did know how to use the Whisperlite, after using it ten years. At the time I did not have the knowledge to analyze why or where it was leaking and causing the flame up. Maybe today I could have fixed it. Or maybe it was one of those older cracked pumps. Who knows?
Yeah, I was just yanking your chain. I had an 8R many years ago. I got rid of it, cuz there wasn't enough wind block. Those were the days when I owned 1 stove.
I was lukewarm about my 8R in those days. I didn’t fully understand it and often had exciting start ups. I was cured after the internet was invented and I saw how to properly start an 8R. I am not sure why I struggled. Slow learner, I guess.
Great to see you having a go at keeping the WL alive. If I am correct the fuel line is just thin stainless pipe with a copper pipe braised to it, you may be able to replace the generator by braising a new one if you are good at that (caution recommended), though you said you are a welder by profession. I have just picked up a dragon (roar) fly and enjoy the differences between the two. Also in the US some people do sell spare parts so if you keep it you may just be able to get a complete fuel line to drop in, just my thoughts.
I lit an xgk in a tent, with kerosene, and DID NOT prime with alcohol first. This site, and the internet, are wonderful things. Although I should have read the instructions.
