I believe it is an MSR XGK stove or variant. Anyway, the stove is round, has a built in striker and a black, bakelite bottom. No shaker jet. I have cleaned the stove, pulled the G marked jet, and I still cannot get that true burn that sounds like a jet engine of which i am accustomed to.. Its like it has prostate trouble. Note. The jet has a small filtration screen on its underside. These is also a small non-metallic almost cone-like filter under the jet that fits under the jet? Should that be there? Any pointers will be appreciated. Gp
Just to confirm, it seems you know these so I assume by "clean" you include having removed the cleaning cable, thoroughly soaked and wiped it, reamed the tubing out with the cable, repeated etc. The fittings are late 70s/early 80s to my uncalibrated eye. Does the stove have numbers stamped on the fuel line block? Has the screen been pulled and cleaned? Does it misbehave with the filters out? As you seem to know, these were later dispensed with and the stove will run without them.
Thanks for the reply. I reamed with the cable and flushed. Poked the jet hole. I suspect the filters. I will pull both filters and report back. No numbers on the block.
The sintered filter may be cleaned by heating real hot then dropping in cold water. I have not dealt with one in my MSR stoves, but ended up drilling one out for a Homestrand Mariner alcohol stove I had. Duane
I have also done what Duane did. Heat it red then quench. It does clean it. Be careful that doesn't crack it. I have not cracked one, but brass can crack when quenched. Is that burner plate the way it was, it looks like it is set low. How much have you burned it? Get it going and let it get hot and burn for a while, and then repeat. Put a pot of water on it.
I cleaned it, removed the sintered filter, even boiled the whole stove. I think it may be needing a replacement jet. It cycles through looking like its going to get up to speed, and the back to feable yellow flame.
What pump are you using? What condition is the pump to bottle o-ring. Does pumping while it's running increase the flame? Does the bottle hold pressure?
@Gun papa, Your X-GK should have a strong and powerful flame, when the fuel line is clear and open. To my eyes, your singered brass filter appears to be damaged, with one side crushed in. Is that right, or is the photo just deceiving? IF it's damaged, that might be the cause of your weak flame symptoms. Just a thought... How about some more photos of the brass filter, at different angles? Thanks, and God Bless! - Doc PS - Could you please take some photos of the flame you get? Thanks!
Pump the bottle up and do a dunk test. If good, dunk test the whole setup. I believe that you are losing pressure. Did you say that you tested it with the damper removed?
On these they will leak fuel if any issue with seals or orings. If checking for leaks when dunking in water, empty fuel first so you can see air bubbles. Try and check fuel flow with the sintered filter removed, that may be your issue, I had the ones on an alcohol stove that were plugged. Duane
hello @Gun papa Duane mentioned: On these they will leak fuel if any issue with seals or orings. Implication is you will, already, see fuel leak(s). Double check for fuel seepage (requires fuel bottle on it's side and more than half full, to test the fuel bottle to pump o-ring. If you have loss of pressure and no fuel leaking, maybe you're not the only one stumped here. your: It cycles through looking like its going to get up to speed, and the back to feable yellow flame. ^^^ what you describe sure sounds like loss of pressure. As flame fades, does pumping it up improve flame again? ------------- you were testing it w/o the damper, correct. No change? [if no change, the damper is not your current problem] +1 damper does not look good. may have been run while damper was upside down (exposing the screen below jet to more deposits that can flow more freely past an upside down damper). In the end (of this), a cleaned damper would be properly installed. For now damper doesn't seem to be clogged (you get decent flame initially) BUT you should get a replacement. Spare jet and damper is recommended. Instructions cover all this. your: I cleaned it, removed the sintered filter, even boiled the whole stove. I think it may be needing a replacement jet. It has been suggested above how to clean the damper (filter). Cleaning damper and jet can be done as already mentioned above, that process in the field is fully explained here > MSR G&G/K Four page Instructions under Burner Maintenance. #7. Clean surge damper and jet. You will want to have instructions for your G/K. Being that you are cleaning the parts at home (not in the field) you can easily improvise with a stove top or other burner getting both pieces approaching red hot (waaaay hotter than boiling), then quench. Take close look at jet orifice and the screen under the jet, if there is carbon buildup with your pricker get it as clean as you can easily manage (after quench).
Thank you for the informative and entertaining discussion. I am using my Dad's MSR XGK c.1980. I was out climbing last week and could not get a hot flame. I have cleaned the stove extensively and oiled the leather valve in the pump. I believe it is the original pump, colored gray with a black plunger, and a gray fuel bottle with black MSR text. Here are a few things I noticed: 1. The jet has an X on one side and a G on the other. 2. There is no surge protector under the valve. 3. I do not see a cotter key that was mentioned in the instruction manual (tilt the stove to allow the priming fuel to run down the cotter key to the priming pad). Questions: Do I need the cotter key and the surge protector? Any other ideas what might be preventing the stove from heating up correctly? Thanks for the advice.
@DoubleA Previously you wrote it was your dad's GK. Is this a different stove? Pictures help. Does liquid fuel flow through the fuel line to wet the priming pad?
Just me, "I myself" am pleased, it appears, @DoubleA is addressing this in Stove Forum (vs an excellent Reference Gallery post) . It seems snwcmpr may have it covered on both fronts. Here are relevant comments cut from the Gallery Ref post MSR G/K 1978-1982 : @DoubleA , i suggest IF yours is c1980? that snwcmpr is right a c1980 mod G/K would come with 2 (wide top) jets and the installed jet would be stamped with a G or K (Gasline or Kerosene). BUT you say "the fuel jet is stamped with G and K" [GK] can you revisit that and as snwcmpr asked, provide pic?... possibly FYI 1. early G/K (c78?), the early ones did come with 1 (wide top) jet, unmarked. 2. an Apr 82 model G/K would still "come with 2 (wide top) jets and the installed jet would be stamped with a G or K" 3. a May 81 model X-GK would come with 2 (narrow top) jets and the installed jet would be stamped with an XG or XK and i'm out of (hobby) time. carry on 700 views tag @Scrambler
oops. Sorry. Correction to #3 FYI 1. early G/K (c78?), the early ones did come with 1 (wide top) jet, unmarked. 2. an Apr 82 model G/K would still "come with 2 (wide top) jets and the installed jet would be stamped with a G or K" 3. a May 83 model X-GK would come with 2 (narrow top) jets and the installed jet would be stamped with an XG or XK ============= FWIW I've been away from this stuff and I can not recall... IF sometime between #2 & #3, did MSR end use of the surge damper cone (sintered brass / bronze)? Wondering if it's maybe not compatible with next version (narrow top) jet? [a vague recall but no time to dig through my XGKs]
Ouch, that's embarrassing! You are correct. I erred this time. It is still the same which I believe is the 1978 GK. Photos coming in a minute. Thank you DoubleA
Here is a photo of the jet and I happen to have a photo of the fuel bottle. I can upload photos of the stove tonight. Liquid does flow through the line but it does not soak the ignition pad. It tends to pool around the jet. I tilted the stove to try to get the fuel to drain through the little hole in the base to soak the ignition pad. But does not seem to run down well. Thanks for all the advice. DoubleA
