Old Svea 123--Safe to use?

Ray Settanta

Ray Settanta

Joined
Aug 30, 2012
Messages
1,487
I just took out my old Svea 123 that I bought over 40 years ago. It still has about a quarter tank of Coleman fuel in it that I should have emptied out when I put it away about 25 years ago. Since I would like to use it again, what should I do to it before I use it?

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I have the same stove, only two moving parts. So not much can go wrong.

I'd drain the old gas, add new, although the old stuff would probably work.

Tale it outside, prime it and see what happens.

But first I'd check the seal under the gas cap to see if it is cracked, and maybe snug the packing nut on the flame adjuster if it feels overly lose.

These things are pretty bullet proof, one of the best stoves out there if you can deal with priming it. I personally love the jet engine pulse.

Good Luck
 
Key point in my last post = Outside!

Good luck,

Let us know how it works,

I'm betting the same as the day you put it away!
 
One last thing,

If it works, buy a tube of Flitz, spend a 1/2 hour polishing and it will look just like new.
 
Not safe send it to me I'll send you your $25 for it:D there was a primus stove (similar in operation) found from a lost expedition that lit with the fuel in it after 30+ years frozen in ice
Roy
 
I got 2 of those stoves and would get another one in a heart beat.. Those stoves are 1000 times better then anything else build today. As long as you got fuel to run it, They would work. My only stove for backpacking.
Go outside fill it up about a third of the way and light it up... now if you never used it, Just to let you know it makes noise and it sound like a little engine running there when its under full power. Make some tea and enjoy the best stove ever made.
 
After sitting that long you may need to replace the fuel tank cap, the main seals and pressure release valve seals go bad over time.
 
Scott Free said:
Polish it??? I think it looks great just the way it is!

I sold mine in the mid-90s and have regretted it ever since.
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My dad was a Tugboat Captian. In our house, if it was brass, it got polished. Some things never go away,
 
lambertiana said:
After sitting that long you may need to replace the fuel tank cap, the main seals and pressure release valve seals go bad over time.
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It makes sense to me to do this even if damage is not apparent. Back last century I uses a white gas stove exclusively, an Optimus not a Svea. I experienced a "run away" when the fuel tank overheated and old seals allowed the high pressure fuel to escape. It was impressive to say the least and I was lucky not to be seriously burned, particularly in that remote location far from help. I retired the stove (or it's remains), but could have avoided the problem by replacing the old seals in a timely fashion.
 
Replace the seals and it should be good to go. Great stove, timeless design. Somewhat heavy though. I prefer the MSR options today, WhisperLite or PocketRocket.
 
Man does that bring back memories. I think I bought mine back in 1971 and don't know when I got rid of it. But it served us well in the Olympic Mountains especially on a wet cold morning. Used to prime it by pouring a little white gas on the whole thing and then light it to get it going. Great stove. Lostviking had great advice.
 
Get some Brasso
Polish it and wait for the Genie to pop out and ask you for your command

The chances are everything is fine
My optimus 99 is still working hard after also 40 years

You can buy a service kit for them with all the replacement bits
 
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