MSR Whisperlite International clogging...

[Macchina]

I have used an MSR whisperlite stove for the last 6 years or so on many of backpacking trips. I really like the thing and it has faithfully boiled many quarts of pasta, but the last two times I used it, it has clogged. It works great for a minute or two, then sputters and only cooks on a very low simmer. I tried using the shaker valve to unclog it, but that doesn't work. I have to take the valve apart and press the "shaker pin" through the fuel jet by hand. After freeing some hard deposit, the stove works perfectly.

Any troubleshooting ideas? Do I need a new part somewhere in the system? I am using Coleman fuel (white gas) out of a gallon container that is 2.5 years old. Does the fuel create deposits as it ages? Is this too old of fuel (Keep in mind this stuff is $12-$15 a gallon).

A picture of the beauty in use last summer:

 

[mckrob]

Sounds like a fuel problem to me.

Try passing your fuel through a felt lined Coleman fuel filter, this will remove any unwanted water that may be in your fuel from condensation.

If that doesn't work try replacing the jet.

I've burned just about everything in mine from jet fuel to gasoline over the years and never had a problem, but I filter the fuel regularly and disassemble and clean the entire stove about once a year (or after a long trip).

Good luck!


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[JohnWayne360]

Have you tried taking it apart and dipping it in CLR? I know for a fact that works with regular kitchen burners.

 

[gadgetgeek]

Have you pulled out the cleaning cable? I had the same problem, and the only cure was a really good scrub of the tube. It could also be contamination from the fuel, or the pump cup breaking down. That's where I'd start. I use kerosene in mine, but I use white-gas to clean it as I know it will evap off. Not so sure about stuff like CLR.

 

[Macchina]

Have you pulled out the cleaning cable? I had the same problem, and the only cure was a really good scrub of the tube. It could also be contamination from the fuel, or the pump cup breaking down. That's where I'd start. I use kerosene in mine, but I use white-gas to clean it as I know it will evap off. Not so sure about stuff like CLR.

After each time it clogged, I pulled the cleaning cable and all. I love how user-servicable this stove is, I just hope I can nail down this clogging problem.

I don't think my problem is water because the clog is a hard clot at the fuel jet.