How to Revive an Old MSR Whisperlite Stove to Newer Condition

The MSR Whisperlite stove is a long time classic backpacking / camping stove that has stood the test of time. I recently acquired this one from a friend and it wasn't working quite right. So I decided to take it apart and clean it up to see if I could bring it back to life. In this video, I go through my step by step process on how I was able to revive this stove to work again. I plan to use this stove in the winter for some backpacking trips and I know it will be reliable as this stove is a beast. The stove uses white gas which is more hardy in colder temperatures and when you are boiling water for coffee on a cold winter morning, you want to make sure you can get the water hot with no failures. Even though the stove is not necessarily one to use on an Ultralight backpacking adventure, it is great to be able to use a classic. I highly recommend this stove.
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[@Ambohouse]

It lives again. A set of torch tip cleaners are great for that stuff. Used them on carb jets for years.

[@hemplord15]

i just got one from the late 1990s -2003 probably its got the old pump and old bottle its cool to get one forsure

[@HooksandHammocks]

Brilliant! He may want it back now!

[@CarlsonAdventures]

No give backs. Lol

[@tjmorrison1909]

Great video. I love the stove, just works. Over ten years winter camping. Only replaced o rings on bottles. As long as i can get pumps and parts will use it till i die lol.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

I've had mine for 20 years. Its not UL but it will WORK. :)

[@CarlsonAdventures]

This seems to be pretty bomb proof. I imagine it will last for years as long as I take care of it.

[@mikelp8265]

I still have mine I purchased back in 1989 ish. I used it on the AT from Georgia to Maine. NO I issues. Why a great stove. That was the number one stove on the AT back in the day, When the MSA pocket rocket first came out it was a back cloud . It was looked at not environmentally friendly due to the fuel bottle. I since have use the MSR pocket rocket for my longer trips, however I do use the MSR international on weekend trips just to see the looks from other Hikers.

[@WanderingSwitchback]

Amazing get! A little maintenance and good to go. These stoves are beasts!

[@thathikingguy]

I love the classic stuff. Like an old Coleman lantern with the mantles. That brings back memories. I think this is the same stove John almost set the woods on fire with LOL

[@CarlsonAdventures]

It is the same kind of stove. I asked him a few questions about it at the meet up.

[@meld3436]

Thank you for this! Found one in my parents old camping stuff from the 90s and am looking to fix it up (and hopefully not spend $70 on the repair kit....)

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

Vintage GEM! Cool to see and great idea for a video!

[@CarlsonAdventures]

Thanks Tim. Hope all is going good with the no smoking 🚭

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

@@CarlsonAdventures still winning bud!

[@CarlsonAdventures]

Awesome!

[@TrailMedic911]

Great to see the old stove working! Enjoy!

[@gottaketchumawl5160]

Wow what a great restoration! I bet that would be awesome to cook my catfish on.

[@5USgRWFH]

the first thing I do with a WhisperLite is shake it. You can hear the ShakerJet cleaning needle rattling around. That's a good thing.

[@shoersa]

No shaker jet on this stove in the video. I have this stove (no shaker jet) and it comes with a tool with a small wire on the end of the tool you can use to clean the hole in the jet.

[@DMSAdventures]

Only the loudest road in America when you're trying to shoot a video! I bring out the neighborhood lawn mowers everytime i try and shoot one! That's a slick little system! I'd love to see a comparison video between it and a standard iso butane stove when it gets cold again!! Nice job!

[@CarlsonAdventures]

Thanks. That's a great idea. Maybe I can do one this fall when it cools down.

[@unpavedexplorer338]

Great restoration. Take Care.

[@nikoonikoo]

This model of pump is over 20 years ago. I have the same one and struggle on the replacement parts. Unfortunately no luck on parts in Canada here. I may consider to get a new model of pump to get this work house running again :) thanks for the video!!!

[@5USgRWFH]

contact Cascade Designs Inc. in Seattle Washington USA for MSR repairs.

[@GospodinJean]

Is the maintenante kit for the old pump not compatible with the New pump?

[@CarlsonAdventures]

@GospodinJean I’m not sure if it is or not.

[@nikoonikoo]

@@GospodinJean @GospodinJean the old kit parts are not compatible with the new pump unfortunately. I sent it back to the Cascade design and got the new pump with a little discount. As well upgrade the hose between the stove and fuel bottle.

[@graceescapes4637]

Wow.. great job on reviving it...thanks for the idea. I learned a lot from your video 😊. New sub from Canada ☺️

[@CarlsonAdventures]

Glad it helped you out. Thanks for watching and thanks for subscribing!

[@kevinhikes3132]

Good video. You are missing the fuel filter on the intake hose that would explain the blocked jet

[@CarlsonAdventures]

Thanks. I will have to look into that. I got this from a friend and assumed I had all the parts.

[@5USgRWFH]

disregard my comment about the ShakerJet. Your model has a flat top jet. ShakerJet models have a domed jet to accomodate the shaker needle. It is possible to replace the flat top jet with a domed jet to install the shaker needle part. The WhisperLite repair kits contain all the new parts you will need.

[@mykeythefishamador2213]

Thank u very much

[@5USgRWFH]

use Barkeeper's Friend powder and a soft toothbrush to scrub the metal parts of the stove.

[@armadilllo]

Cool, just got mine out after 35 years. I still have two pumps, one still in the package and a maintenance kit too but I have to go buy a new bottle, can't find it anywhere. I cannot remember, is that flame adjustable or is it full blast all the time?

[@CarlsonAdventures]

Mine has some adjustability to it. These stoves are bomb proof and last forever.

[@itsasinine3337]

did it not have the shaker needle jet cleaner installed?

[@tomsales5645]

is that exclusive for white gas only?thanks

[@CarlsonAdventures]

They say you can burn white gas, unleaded gas and kerosene. I believe you have to change a piece out on the stove itself to burn kerosene. I have only ever used white gas with mine and it has worked great down into the single digit temps.

[@sanyopoweraid1]

@@CarlsonAdventures That's right, you can burn unleaded gas and kerosene but you have to change the jet to do so. Spare jets come with the expedition kit. Sometimes it's hard to get white gas in some places around the world. Kerosene and auto gas is not so hard to find. Great stove. I've had mine all over south and central america and it's never failed. I've only had to change a few o-rings.

[@eastcoastcarpenterofalaska5073]

Penny can stove for ul in the winter

[@CarlsonAdventures]

I agree. I do use an alcohol stove alot throughout the year. I never have trouble with the alcohol as long as I keep it fairly warm.

[@anhatur]

I have both, and prefer alcohol for day trips but liquid fuel stoves for longer treks. Liquid fuel is much more powerful, and also more energy dense. It especially comes in handy if you have to melt snow for water. And while having the valve at the liquid side, such as on the Whisperlite, gives you less control over power, liquid fuel stoves give you more control than alcohol. So it becomes worth the carry.

[@anhatur]

@@CarlsonAdventures You can light cold alcohol with a wick. Either a match, or as I often do, find a twig on the ground then dip it in the alcohol and light it with the lighter I keep in my trouser pockets, then stick the burning twig back in the burner. Just be careful, as you can easily drown a fire in alcohol that’s too cold to burn yet.