Hello.... I recently rediscovered my Svea 121L stove and tried it out. I had no problems getting the stove to work. I had filled it up quite full, burned it for about 10 minutes, then put out the flame. Once the stove cooled down I packed it up, closed all the caps, put it in the tin box, and stored it in my garage for about 2 weeks. Yesterday I pulled it out because I decided to try oiling the pump. When I opened it I was surprised to see there was about one centimetre of kerosene in the bottom of the tin box. I took the stove out and wiped it down. Then held it upside down to see where the leak was? I did not see any fuel leaking out? Does anyone know what may have happened? The only guess I have is that the tank somehow got pressurized and the fuel escaped? The last two weeks here have been very hot, 30 degrees Celsius. Could that have caused the fuel to expand and leak? Please let me know your thoughts.... Once I cleaned up the mess I oiled the pump and the stove worked just fine.....
Sounds like a leak in the NRV. Try changing the pip, that cures most of the leaks to the pump. Good luck
Hi, Paraffin stoves like yours have an open jet when all else is closed. The jet is connected directly to the kerosene in the tank via a dip tube which extends to the base of the tank. If you leave, or store, a stove with the air release valve closed the paraffin level in the tank will change with temperature and changes in atmospheric pressure. When the paraffin level rises is exits via the jet, and pools on the work surface or storage tin. You should either leave the air release open when you store the stove, or if collapsing the stove for storage make sure the "reserve" or storage cap is securely closed on top of the tank. Best Regards, Kerophile.
Hi, depending on the manufacturing date of your Svea 121L, the reserve cap will either be "parked" on the top of the tank: https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/svea-121l.10687/ or, screwed onto the end of the pump cap: https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/svea-121-late-1969-early-1970s.10654/ Best Regards, Kerophile.
Hello.... gold Bandit and Kerophile, I "assumed" if it's a No.121 w/all it's lids in-place and inside a tin. If so that the reserve lid was in-place. Am I mistaken here? If all lids were not in place it is exactly as kerophile suggests AND, as you REdiscover it, you become familiar that the brass self-pressurizing tank/stove when warmed it WILL "do it's thing". In this meanwhile, while Kerophile posted, I searched w/o success wanting to link and give credit to a regular contributor who recently suggested essentially. In such a case, to find the leak. To do so, simply drain it, loosen all lids, set it in the freezer (20 mins), remove from freezer and secure all lids snug, immerse in room temp or warm water and bubbles should reveal your leak. The thx does not go to me, on contrary I'm sorry I did not link / credit the source. That said the seals are old and if they are hardened w/age replacing them is best suggestion. thx omc
Hi OMC, I'm sure the advice for finding a leak in this way has been given many times before. If you feel the need to credit someone I think Terry's post was the most recent I agree it's so simple it verges on genius. I've got a couple of 210 / 96 size brassies that do this to me if I store them with fuel so I'll have to give it a go some time myself. Regards John
Excellent! Some good information and ideas.... Here is a link to my stove. https://classiccampstoves.com/threads/svea-121l-in-canada.30273/ Here is how it looked when I put it away. https://classiccampstoves.com/attachments/3-jpg.135502/ The stove was about 3/4 full of kerosene and all the caps were tight. I'm going to order and replace all the seals. In the meantime I will try out the suggestions for finding the leak. Thank you all...
I checked for leaks. I first placed the stove in the fridge for a while, tightened all the caps, and then placed it in warm water. The top center cap had a good leak and since there was no washer on the cap I guess that's a good reason! The pump was also leaking. Not as much as the top but it was definitely leaking. The filler cap and release valve were good. My stove needs a bit of servicing!
hi bandit, re "My stove needs a bit of servicing!" yes. You found leaks, credit members who have given such advice to fellow stovies long before I knew 3 leggers even existed. Among those veterans is @kerophile . who above mentions "You should either leave the air release open when you store the stove, or if collapsing the stove for storage make sure the "reserve" or storage cap is securely closed on top of the tank." SO if you store it upright w/air release open (as he suggests), you would have had none of the spillage you had that came from your biggest leak and maybe no spillage (but again yes NRV service recommended so turns out +1 w/janders above). Coleman's check valve (their NRV), when failing, can most often be coaxed back to functioning (w/o replacing). I'm unaware of any hints along those lines w/your NRV. This REdiscovering of your classic is great to hear. thx again for sharing ATB omc
