MSR Stoves: WhisperLite Maintenance

[@benschuster9792]

Important note: inserting the cable too far into the fuel line can cause it to have priming issues. Consider also that lubricating the fuel line will make inserting the cable a lot smoother making it quite easy to push it in too far. It took me ages to figure out that I was having this problem so hopefully this might save you some time :D

[@cavernicholas]

Guys, I have a Whisperlite there are 22 years and it's still perfect! During these time I lived for 4 years using just the MSR for cooking when I was cicling around the world. The product is perfect!

[@paullangdon9575]

Kind of the same here. I’ve had mine for about ten years now & too many camp outs to count & still going strong. And I’ve only done a maintenance procedure twice lol. This piece of gear is great quality.

[@brokenspine66]

I have my Whisperlite International for 26 years now, still works like a charm.

[@theastronomer5800]

Finally got my Whisperlite to work properly. I had this type of a stove for 20 years (this is my 2nd one), and after taking apart the jet and cleaning the line while camping it would still only work at a fraction of the power after a good priming, drove me mad... Took it apart at home and it seems like there was a tiny piece of dirt inside the jet that kept clogging up the tiny hole - pushing the needle must have have pushed it back enough so it looked like it was clear, but then fuel pushed it back in! A good test I found, after all the cleaning, is to put the jet back in without the shaker and open the fuel line - once you get a nice smooth jet of fuel it should work fine, if not, do some more cleaning! Also, someone posted a good tip on a website - pressurize the bottle and put it under water to see if you're losing pressure around there. This can be very dangerous (my fuel pump once caught fire because of a faulty o-ring, and melted - luckily it was my last day of camping on a week long trip, but I didn't know if I should run to the lake to get water to put it out, or to jump into the lake to hide from the possible explosion...).

[@mborgerd]

These stoves are built to LAST. This video and the video on pump maintenance walked me through maintenance of my 25 year old whisperlite. Ignore the comments that say the speaker went too fast -- they can slow the video down or rewind.

[@bruinventures5794]

I have owned one of these stoves since 1995. It embodies the word “bulletproof” and it has never once failed me in any way. It has been to the summit of several mountains and been packed through 30+ countries. It has run on very questionable fuels and been a champion throughout. I cannot recommend it strongly enough, which is true for just about every other piece of MSR kit.

[@mtlphoto]

Thanks great video fixed my 20 year old whisperlite! Apart from theoriginal pump that cracked on a winter bacbacking this thing is bullet proof!

[@russellmattila9522]

When in dought, I use a guitar string the hi E or B for unclogging the jet, and fuel line...

[@ronaldpalle6144]

which is better to use in msr internationale keeosine or gasoline ?

[@mssedmebich1621]

My Whisperlite is leaking fuel at the line and pump connection. The braided line can spin in the coupling block. Is it toast or can it be repaired?

[@jcarr7664]

Hi, Great video. My fuel line is blocked. Fuel cleaning pipe stuck and cannot and have not ever removed it or pulled it in and out. Any ideas? Thanks.

[@d7a7n7ette]

Same with me.

[@karensticklin2437]

@@d7a7n7ette use the tool provided to pull the line out. You put the line in the little hole and it gives you leverage to pull.

[@d7a7n7ette]

@@karensticklin2437 Ha, don't you think I tried that??? I also tried pliers. It is COMPLETELY stuck. I called MSR, and they have not returned my call. My stove is only about 3 years old.

[@hfg4qhmg237]

I also could not pull it out with the supplied menace tool, so I fixed it in a vise, clamped the wire with pliers, and put all my weight 140Ib on it, but the vise came off the fixing stand and the cleaning wire would not budge, So I soaked the wire overnight in orange oil, which is used to clean grease, to dissolve the adhering material, and it pulled out. I made sure that only the metal parts were soaked because rubber products might dissolve.

[@WildCamperPH]

Get a small diamter tree hugger rope then tie it to the fuel cable using FG knot. Hang or tie the end of the rope on a sturdy thing. Have a fine grip to the fuel line using a pliers then pull it out. Tadaaa.. But soak the fuel line first by spraying a wd40 inside the tube to loosen some. Use a fine grit sand paper to clean the carbon in the fuel line. Then clean thoroughly. Assemble at once. Your good!

[@ferienparktipps2755]

My Whisperlite is ready for the trashbin a bit sooner than I expected. I tried to clean the fuel hose by removing the steel wire, but it is completely stuck. Pump was broken already. Needle inside does not work well any more. I will definitely buy a new whisperlite but expected my last one longer than approx 7 years. First one lasted for ages.

[@genevievemarchand2571]

I have a bunch of 8 years old stoves, and even after all this cleaning, they are not working properly. Would soaking the fuel line in solvent be a bad idea?

[@Wildersport]

My Whisperlite was bought new by me back in about 1991 or 1992 and doesn't have the shaker needle type jet. How can I upgrade to the newer style?

[@TooMuchTemper]

Why make the pump plastic? Plastic threads strip too easily. Msr should make a pump option that is full metal. Would totally pay extra for the added security

[@martinerhard8447]

Because metal is heavy, more expensive and can shrink in cold temps. The Soto stove has this issue and cant built up pressure in super cold temps

[@TooMuchTemper]

@@martinerhard8447 good point!. Still though an option would be great. Maybe where you could get both bundled in for an extra cost then just leave the other at home when going out, depending on weather. And if you have a trip with multiple seasons then you can obviously just take the plastic pump and hope it doesnt break.

[@martinerhard8447]

@@TooMuchTemper typically when going on expeditions people take two pumps with them + repair kit. The low weight basically means two pumps are the weight of one metal pump. Personally I favor using my svea 123. It has almost no parts that can fail and needs no pump. I dont need a overly big stove to melt snow for myself.

[@TooMuchTemper]

@martinerhard8447 sounds like you got a tried and true setup! Thanks for the input

[@JCHaywire]

Excellent video, but my wire-legged Whisperlite stove doesn't have a shaker under the jet, and the shape of the jet is smaller. Also the fuel line is a smaller diameter than that shown in this video.

[@MSRGear]

Hi JC Haywire, you just have an older design, but the general idea is the same. As shown in the video, you can clear the jet without the shaker needle. Thanks for the comment!

[@garyfoley1864]

this should have been explained in the videos, again the guy moves too quickly.

[@marymar487]

Quisiera tener instrucciones en español para hacerle limpieza a mi estufa MSR

[@MSRGear]

You can view instructions in Spanish here: www.msrgear.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-cdiSharedLibrary/default/dw6b4807d5/pdf/manuals/msr_whisperlite_manual_es.pdf

[@jeansg9670]

Me too love my whisper light. Until had some problems with the fuel system. I mostly use cheap grade pétrol. So view this video. Saw that I need to clean the wire. 😮! OK trying to pull out the wire with the tool that comes with the kit. O boy was it difficult. Didn't have the choice of tools to have a solid grip so use my teeth. I thought that would be the hard part Until tried to put it back to it initial place. Good a had a wall to help me. Also don't put it self in the good angle. I finally got it. I don't know if it's because it was the first time.

[@yaks6312]

How can I tell if I have the Whisperlite international or Whisperlite shaker? I have an older one handed down and was just wondering what was the difference? Is it just the jet? And can I change the jet?

[@MSRGear]

yaks6312 The shaker jet model and the International model are not mutually exclusive. So…1. The generator tube of the plain WhisperLite is the same size/diameter as the wire that the legs/pot supports are made out of. The generator tube on an International model is clearly larger/thicker than the legs/pot supports 2. In order to go from a plain WhisperLite to an International model, you’ll have to replace the entire fuel line. If you were to send your stove to us, we will perform the conversion for $30.

[@WildCamperPH]

Im having a hard time to pull out the fuel cable line. Can anyone suggest a good solution?

[@1ambulator]

I have 7 Whisperlites, so I know what you are experiencing. Pull it out using pliers (take care not to pinch the cable). If it just will not come out, remove the jet and needle, and drip several drops of a 50/50 mix of acetone and auto transmission fluid into the fuel line at the jet end. Let the line sit, with the generator end above the fuel line for a couple hours to overnight. Tapping the fuel line every so often helps release any air. Try to pull it out again. If it doesn't want to budge repeat the 50/50 mix process. Let it sit and try pulling it out again. After the cable is out, using a syringe or carefully dripping, either work some acetone into the fuel line with the cable or flush the fuel line with acetone which will evaporate quickly. Wipe the cable very well with a clean rag. Put a drop of mineral oil (baby oil or pump lube) on it then wipe it again. Put a drop of mineral oil into the fuel line then reinsert the cable. Be sure not to fully insert the cable into the fuel line, leave about 1/4 to 3/8 inch out. Cable may be tough to insert around the generator and pliers may be useful

[@riverstones-wd40]

Ive owned one for a 150 years...works great on mars too

[@hectorfox9710]

😂👍👏

[@rumboalsurjuancarlosfranco2156]

Mi estufa al parecer se tapo la manguera me gustaria saber como lo resuelvo

[@jdoutdoors1]

What does the wick do exactly?

[@steriophonic1]

Primes the fuel

[@clownpocket]

If you’re using kerosene or diesel, it allows the fuel to ignite like a candle wick.

[@pw1298]

Seriously, what does the wick really do? It came pretty much uncover out of my box.

[@ashab1]

Soaks up the priming fuel

[@henrytwigger2245]

What do you do when the priming cup is to tight ?

[@MSRGear]

Our secret weapon (besides a table vise and pliers) is a product called “PB Blaster!”

[@stephencue6861]

Haha just used pbblaster on mine to get the priming cup off. I think cleaning it every 15 years might not be enough

[@garyfoley1864]

Some points are great, self-explanatory, while other points are passed by too quickly. The guy just needs to slow down while unscrewing or screwing parts together to get a look at which direction certain parts are either angled or shaped as to make sure that parts go back correctly. Maybe you and I don't need this 'slow down', but i've had a novice or two tell me the words in the video were great, but that guy moves his fingers way too quickly. Please slow down.

[@spaceninjasteve3356]

Gary Foley youtube has a neat feature that allows viewers to adjust the playback speed of the videos they are watching. I would recommend slowing down the video if you have trouble keeping up with the two parts that got unscrewed.

[@zwickflixproductions4379]

Thanks, just got 6 years worth of crud out of mine

[@mbaines95]

I bought a used WhisperLite that doesn't seem to have a shaker jet. Is that how the original ones were made?

[@garyfoley1864]

Take it out, it's probably stuck.

[@waddo]

We have the version that also uses canister gas. The screw on was made of aluminium, same as the thread on the canister. It is a soft metal and the screw on wore down after about 24 days of use. Of course, it's a soft metal. We had to send it to Ireland! and we live in Japan. This is what MSR consider warranty service. For 2 months we heard nothing. The replacement came and the new version is made of brass. Many years ago we had the first carbon reflex tent. The cross pole was also made of carbon. The middle section broke during the first week of use from the pressure of pushing against the main pole. The replaced it. It broke again. The replaced it again including an extra piece just in case. It broke. The final replacement: the middle pole was nom aluminium. The MSR is mountain SAFETY RESEARCH. The seem to research or test nothing. I would not buy a paper clip from them. (Luckily the stove with the brass piece is still working).

[@peterflaaen9828]

Where do I get the expedition maintenance kit?

[@MSRGear]

Hi Peter. If you are located in the US, you can purchase the Expedition Service Kit on our website here: www.msrgear.com/stoves/stove-accessories/expedition-service-kit/expedition-service-kit.html

[@d7a7n7ette]

This video moves too quickly. Same with the pump maintenance video. Very frustrating.

[@Krummers1]

In fact it's quite simple to understand

[@josievarela437]

How do you safely dispose fuel?

[@garyfoley1864]

take it outside, pour it out on the sidewalk and light it with a long-stemmed lighter.

[@evmanbutts]

keep it in a jerrycan labeled "Bad gas" and use it for lighting campfires

[@ashab1]

Just poor down the toilet

[@steriophonic1]

Why can't i get a blue flame i only get orange, i've got the right jet in

[@techguy666]

Let it prime for longer until the flame is gone. Light it and keep it running for few minute on low/ medium setting. If this didn't fix it, it'd be dirty fuel.

[@daqzappa]

Good luck getting that cable in once you take it out. What a joke