Leaking MSR fuel bottles

[Daniel Eagan]

My MSR fuel bottles must be twenty years old. Packing for a camping trip in the Catskills, I noticed two were leaking very slightly. I couldn't tighten the top any further. I need to replace them, right? Is that something that happens over time? Thanks.

 

[NH2112]

Either replace the caps (MSR has them) or the O-rings inside the caps. Viton works better than nitrile for fuels.

 

[Dana]

Most hardware stores stock an assortment of o-rings.

 

[Tim Horn]

If the bottles are leaking, I would check out the pump and the stove connections and be sure all are good. Actually I would get the service kit and replace all the parts that can get dry and brittle overtime and you don't want that kind of failure on the trail or off.

 

[Daniel Eagan]

Thanks, the stove and pump are new. The bottles alone are what's leaking. I'm going to check at REI for replacement caps and/or O-rings.

 

[dave.m]

It’s a known issue. I’ve personally carried 2 burning MSRs out of Crag Camp in New Hampshire. The o-rings and seals wear out over time or fail in cold weather. The leaking fuel ignites, which melts the cap/pump assembly and perhaps negative results constitute good mountain safety research? Guinea Pig Flambé?

Perhaps time to move to a canister stove? Or you can the rebuild kit.

https://www.msrgear.com/stoves/stove-accessories/expedition-service-kit/expedition-service-kit.html

 

[skiguy]

It’s a known issue. I’ve personally carried 2 burning MSRs out of Crag Camp in New Hampshire. The o-rings and seals wear out over time or fail in cold weather. The leaking fuel ignites, which melts the cap/pump assembly and perhaps negative results constitute good mountain safety research? Guinea Pig Flambé?

Perhaps time to move to a canister stove? Or you can the rebuild kit.

https://www.msrgear.com/stoves/stove-accessories/expedition-service-kit/expedition-service-kit.html

I actually landed up loaning my MSR parts kit to someone at Crag one night after their rig blew a gasket. Bench test your stove before you head out to avoid any inconvenience.