One of the many leaks that I found on the cleaned up L/H burner of the Optimus 182 was where the burner screws down onto the spirit cup. I could see that the sealing face on the burner wasn't quite even. However tight I screwed it down it wasn't quite sealing. Caused a few pops & bangs when gas escaped and ignited.

I applied a thin layer of solt solder with an iron to the spirit cup where it contacts the burner. It appears to make a sucessful seal when tightened - nice and soft. Hopefully it'll still disassemble - but I'm not taking it apart for as long as possible now.

Dave.

Doesn't matter if it does run & solder cup to burner. A liitle heat will get them moving but not be enough to melt the silver solder you repair with.

I like the idea of soft solder seals since they are easy to apply, automatically of the correct size and shape and both soft and thin in section. I recently had problems sealing the joint between the spirit cup and the upper and lower parts of a silent burner. I eventually gave up on fibre washers - they generally split before I could get them tight enough to seal. I made lead seals (similar to those between tank and burner) which worked in no time at all.

Colin.

Soft solder washers would be easy enough to make.

What is used over there to balance the wheels of your cars? Here in Oz we use lead weights.
Also we use lead sinkers for fishing.
This could be melted down and tipped into a mould. After cooled you will be able to start making your own lead seals, (providing you have the punches.
Albert

Albert- In the UK lead sheet is readily available from DIY stores as 'flashing' for roofs and for general roof repair work. Roofers will generally give away scrap pieces sufficient for a hundred or more seals. I punch seals from this. Lead sheet was also used extensively for covering the entire roofs of churches - and when scrap metal prices were as high as unemployment when I was a lad in east London it wasn't unknown for entire church roofs to be stripped overnight! Though never by a certain young stove enthusiast you'll be pleased to hear.

Colin.