Taylor’s stove 028 - struggling to pressurize

[Wgregor]

Hey folks,

I just bought a Twister 28 with a Taylor’s 028 kero stove. Everything looks in decent condition however I can’t seem to pressurize the tank despite a full blown 10 minutes on the pump. The pump does work and I can’t see an air leak in the joins. Wondering if anyone’s had a similar issue and whether there is more to it? Because there is no pressure I’m unable to get fuel to the burners.

 

[wilkinsonsails]

There is a fibre washer under the pump body and that sometimes dies and doesn’t seal . Check that first , don’t fill the tank to much, say half way so you have enough room to get pressure..Should make bubbling noise in tank when pressure building . Also fill cap washer can leak . Start there see how you get on .

 

[Poignard]

How do you know the pump works if you have not been able to pressurise the tank?

 

[Tranona]

I had exactly the same problem and had the pump rebuilt by John here taylorsheatersandcookers.co.uk for half the price of a new one. Give John a call.

 

[penfold]

They aren't exactly complicated; is the pump actually working? A new washer often fixes things.

 

[yimkin]

I had a similar problem; removed pump innards modified the end cap to take a car tyre valve (Schrader?). Pressured up with a bike pump; much easier.

 

[Poignard]

I bought a second hand Taylors paraffin cabin heater that had been stored for years. The leather cup washer in the pump had hardened but rubbing oil into it soon softened it and it has been ok since.

New cup washers are cheap or you can make them.

 

[Wgregor]

How do you know the pump works if you have not been able to pressurise the tank?

Good point. I just did the old finger on the end of the pipe test and it was creating pressure so there is air moving through the pipe.

 

[Poignard]

Good point. I just did the old finger on the end of the pipe test and it was creating pressure so there is air moving through the pipe.

It won't do any harm for you to check the cup washer before doing anything else as it's such a common cause of the problem you have.

If it's OK, you will have eliminated one potential problem and can then look for something else.

 

[Poignard]

Deleted

 

[mullet]

The pressure caps with a tyre valve through them make life much easier. About £35. Taylors ETD3576 Tyre Valve

As others have said, look at the pump washer. If pump is working then it suggests you are losing pressure elsewhere. I’d be checking for a good seal between the filler cap and the neck of the tank. I’d imagine the fittings around the pressure gauge could also potentially leak but if they’re like mine (fed from the bottom of the tank) then I’d expect a fuel leak from there rather than an air leak.