I am having some problems with yellow flames and sputtering and what not on my Optimus 111T multi-fuel, quiet burner. I took the tank and burner assembly out of the case and removed the wind screen. I put some alcohol in the priming cup and warmed it up. After the meth went out, I opened the spindle a bit a lit the burner (kerosene). Perfect blue flame, yeah. About 2 minutes into the burn, fuel vapor began to come out of the nipple and the sputtering started with lots of yellow flame, then yellow flame took over in the main burner too. I turned everything off and tightened the nipple with the included wrench. After relighting, no change. I loosened the nipple with the wrench and then took it all the way out using an improvised too made from a 6.5x55SE shell casing (the wrench tool was just driving me nuts). I then took out the stuffing box followed by the valve spindle. See chart: https://classiccampstoves.com/fusion/fbbuploads/1219778554-Opt_111T_explod.jpg The graphite packing was all shredded and I was unable to find the metal ring - is that bad? The cleaning needle looks pristine. Questions: 1) Do I need the metal ring? 2) What can I do about the leaky nipple? 3) I think I can find the graphite packing OK. Where can I find parts in the U.S.? Any help, comments, reassurance, would be appreciated.
1 yes you need the ring or when you tighten up the gland nut you will just push the packing into the burner rather than compress it and get a seal 2 try a different jet or tighten it down harder 3 roll your own with some graphite tape spares in the US try a&h atb Bill
I have a graphite tube and a ring to spare. (Plus a large crate of other 111 stove parts if'n people need 'em. No windshields or complete burners.) Just PT. Cheers, Gary
I found graphite string at lunch at the hardware store. BernieDawg, I sure could use the metal ring. You still have the address I guess? :smile: What do you need from me?
Nada, mate. I'll try to stick it in the mail today, or if not, Monday. Oh, hey! I know. How about a picture of your beastie when you got it running pretty? :smile: Cheers, Gary
T-Bone, a word of caution before you use the graphite string: try to light a small piece with a match(or lighter); if it melts and burns, you obviously don't want to use it. I tried some "graphite valve packing" from my local)ACE) hardware store; the instructions on the back display a water valve repair, which should have been clue #1. Pure graphite will not burn. If you hold a small piece in your fingers and TRY to light it, you'll succeed in burning your fingers rather than the graphite ribbon(flat ribbon 1/4" wide). Get a graphite packing from Gary, or some ribbon from Jeff.
Good catch abman47! It burned AND melted! It was for a faucet stem. BernieDawg, is the offer still good for the graphite too?? And yes pics will be posted once it is back together and running, thanks to all!
hi tb i don't know here you can get graphite tape on your side of the pond but it's well worth hunting some down, someone must know of a source in the US, it isn't expensive but a roll will repair a lot of stoves and it works just as well as the pukka packing, it's worth every penny it costs
Yah. I'll add it in, but no shipping until Monday now. Texfoil is the name of a graphite tape product in the US. Maybe do a Google? Cheers, Gary
quick question: is the spindle for the 111t the same as for the 123R? or would the graphite in the 123 maintenance kit work for the 111?
123r v 111 spindles are different cleaning needles are different, jets are the sameish* packing is the same * i have used one from a 123r in a 111 and it worked fine, but i might of been lucky as i don't know what jet the 123r had fitted originally ie paraffin or petrol or the m jet,i bought the 123r as a parts stove for the burner so have no idea what the previous owner fitted 123r spindle on top edit thinking about it the service pack i bought for the 123r doubles as a service pack for the 8r so you get both cleaning needles [8r/99 and 111 use the same needle]
thank you for taking the time in creating and posting the pics... it's one thing to look at the wire drawings, but quite another to see the actual live parts! (now pondering where to get some graphite tape)
update: nevermind! thanks to a kind fellow SB'r, i now have some graphite for packing! this is a great site!
In the US it is also called Grafoil Ribbon Tape. Do a google search for it and you will probably not be able to order it online but rather have to call the number of the company and ask for sales. My experience was I had to try a few companies before I found one that would sell to the public. I wish I wrote down the company - sorry I like this stuff better than the pukka packing and you can add a tad more to really seal the spindle. Dave
As of this date, McMaster-Carr stocks the graphite tape, part # 9481K11, graphite packing seal tape, 1/4" x 0.015, 50' roll, $11.71 plus shipping. http://www.mcmaster.com/#9481k11/=9y0l7w Murph
Thanks for the link Murph! I use the adhesive backed stuff and it doesn't seem to hurt the function of it at all but makes it easier to pack I find. I also use the 1/2" stuff and trim it down to what I need depending on the stove, lantern, or heater. That said 1/4" will work great, I just like as much packing as the valve will take. 50 feet! To make one packing it takes 4 inches lets say. 600 inches in 50 feet. So that is 150 packings you can make with one roll at 8 cents per packing. Not too bad! Jeff
