I have a Mansalu 96 that I really like. On my last trip, I accidently spilled burning kerosene on it. After letting it burn out, the pump wouldn't work. I don't feel like I'm putting pressure in it at all. The leather looks good. I soaked it in motor oil over night, but still no luck. Does anyone have any suggestions? Dwight
"On my last trip, I accidently spilled burning kerosene" Cripes Dwight don't mind if I pitch a fair way from you do you ! Must be either the pump rod leather or the valve at the bottom of the tube. Perhaps the stove is still in shock from being doused in flaming kero ! Could the valve be lodged open somehow ? I suggest a strip down and clean up, but wait because someone who knows what they are talking about will be along in a minute ! Cheers Keith
I got it working. The leather looked OK, but it was hard as a rock. I think it may have been on it's way out before the toasting incident. I replaced it and all is well... Does it matter what kind of oil I use to soak the leather? It seems to have more than my fair share of leather problems. Dwight
Hi Dwight Glad to hear you got it sorted. I use ordinary mineral oil, and occasionally check the leathers without removing them from the tube and drip some oil onto them to keep them supple. Cheers Keith
I don't think it matters a lot. The instruction sheet that came with my Optimus 00 (Bruksanvisning nr 90452) recommends "a drop of light machine oil." I would think almost any light grade of machine lubricating oil such as 3in1, or sewing machine oil would be fine. I use 3in1 because I have a large tin of it. Works fine. Gerry
When I was a newby lampie, I initiated a discussion on the Guild site about this topic. It turned out that just about any oil - either vegetable or mineral - will do. I use olive oil (extra virgin, of course!) from Lidl... In the direst emergency only, you can even use kero from the tank. It's not recommended in any other situation because, being a solvent and of low viscosity, it will eventually perish the leather...
So what is the differencebetween regular olive oil and extra virgin olive oil? I'm thinking that the young olives arn't fondled before they are picked. Or something like that. lance
Good Morning, Dwight!! It's great to see that you're still alive and kickin'!! I usually use gun oil on my pump leathers, and it's worked very well, for many years. You can go to any Big 5, or any gun store, and pick up a vial of Hoppe's Gun Oil. That's what I use, and it's never let me down. I have used several of the gun greases, too, in a pinch, but prefer the oil. When we were flying home from Alaska yesterday, we passed right over Wrightwood, and I thought of you!! Glad to see you back on the Forum! Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc Mark
For Leathers I use engine oil for a car. any oil will do the job as good as the next one. but don't use auto trans fluid on roo hide. But I think you blokes wont get these leathers over there. Vasalene is good but takes a long time to soak it in the leather, if too much is used it can stop the pumping of air in the tank as well. So go for it and put oil on the pump rod as well. This will make it easier to push in and will not drag on the hole of the guide nut.
