Hello, and thanks for reading my post. I got my 123R out of storage to use for an upcoming trip. Last time I used it was 5 years ago, worked fine. So I put in white gas, primed with alcohol and lit it off...burned OK but the roar was not very loud as in the past, and flame had a fair amount of orange on the tips, no matter how I rotated the spindle. Figure it needed to burn a bit. Left it run about 20 mins, I got called to help with significant others PC problem, and stove ran out of fuel. Let it cool, refilled 1/2 way, primed, and lit it off. Seemed to go into orange ball of fire mode and was pulsating. Tried to turn it off and could not. When rotated spindle CCW (to close) got small bluetip flame at the nipple. Blew it out after about 10 seconds, then noticed fuel shooting up from nipple. So now I am confused as to what the issue is. I have a rebuild kit (everything but wick), but am somewhat reluctant to try a rebuild just before I leave on trip. Any suggestions on first things to try before removing the spindle? How best to clean spindle needle? pin? ( I am thinking something got carboned up). I have rebuild instructions from A&H but never did it because I didn't want to screw it up. I am a reasonable car mechanic - rebuild carbs, etc. So, what is the chance I can reuse the original packing if I remove the spindle? Thanks for help/suggestions. J
The washer on the fill cap may well have dried out and that may have caused the first problem. The jet may have been clogged also. If the stove was lit until it ran out of fuel, the wick has probably been charred. You should check it. If it is, you'll need to replace it for optimal performance. You can fabricate one from cotton mop strands. Here are detailed instructions about disassembly and reassembly from CCS member Berniedawg.
It may be a typo, but its clockwise to close, CCW to open (until the needle pops out as it should). The wick is not going to be damaged by letting it run dry one time. I'd give it another shot.
Well, not exactly...what I really should have typed is: Tried to turn it off (rotating it CW) and it did not shut off...waited 5-8 seconds, then rotated spindle 2-4 turns CCW (thinking something inside had dirt or carboned up, interfering with the mechanism), then rotated it CW to close and had the small, blue tip flame at the nipple. So, would taking the nipple off, raise the needle, clean the needle and nipple possibly solve the problem? I can't see how the needle travel would have changed over time to not shut the fuel off. Best thing to clean needle & nipple? thanks for spotting the inaccuracy in my writing. -J
The first two things I would try are to remove the cleaning needle altogether, and replace the filler cap gasket. The cleaning needle is a problematic area for the 123R and is not needed to run if the jet is clear. A rebuild kit will have a new cleaning needle if you find it necessary. (I don't) Gerry
Welcome to CCS. You say you have a small flame when you shut it off. If you CAREFULLY release the pressure from the tank, does that flame go out? If you don't want to do that, you may try testing the closed up stove under hot water. As the tank gets warmed, you will see leaking. 2-4 turns CCW? That is a lot. Ken in NC
Could be a little dirt or the spindle may need replacing (or resurfacing). If you can't get it straightened out before you leave for your trip, you can resort to just blowing out the small flame and then releasing pressure. However, the stove may still leak a little fuel in transport if there are pressure changes (elevation or warmer temps). I've had that problem and simply placed it in a plastic bag when it is in my pack.
