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Burning Leaded Gasoline in a Regular Whisperlite

Original Post
David Appelhans · · Broomfield, CO · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 410

I leave for a 6,000 meter mountain in Chile in a week! I haven't been able to find white gas in Chile but they have the propane canisters. I would like to use my Whisperlite since it seems to boil faster and more efficiently. I know people who use unleaded gas in the states all the time, but has anyone tried using leaded gas in other countries? Any ideas?

Brian in SLC · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Oct 2003 · Points: 21,711
David Appelhans wrote:I know people who use unleaded gas in the states all the time, but has anyone tried using leaded gas in other countries? Any ideas?
I burned unleaded in a Simmerlite for 7 days in Venezuela a few years ago. No problems at all. Told that to a techy guy from MSR and he wasn't psyched on the idear. Wasn't planned that way, but, the location where we were supposed to be able to buy white gas didn't pan out, and, our options were pretty limited. Kinda risky, but, worked out just fine (low risk as far as that went, though, we'd a just hiked out but it would have cut the trip across their Sierra Nevada a bit short).

I'd probably invest in a maintainence kit just to be sure to be able to deal with any issues, but, short of ponying up for a true multi fuel stove...

I don't know though. An extra couple bucks for an Optimus or MSR multi fuel stove v. the cost of your trip, and how a non functioning stove might really suck, I guess I'd factor that in.

Which peak? Ojos?

I think as long as someone in the group has your back, maybe you could see if it worked. Also, probably take the kerosene jet with just in case and take some of that fuel along if you can find it as well, as a back up in case the unleaded car gas didn't work. Would depend if you're getting dropped off and picked up, or, if you could reload if needed.

Good luck,

-Brian in SLC
Perin Blanchard · · Orem, UT · Joined Oct 2005 · Points: 8,479
David Appelhans wrote:...leaded gas...
Probably not a good idea. The lead additive used in gasoline (now only used in AvGas and racing gasoline in the U.S.) is rather toxic.

See here for some information about various fuels and stoves.
seth0687 · · Fort Collins · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 375

Doesn't the wisperlite International burn most fuels??? I remember it being the recommended stove when I was thinking about doing a high altitude guided trip with "Alpine Ascents" I don't remember the stove being much more then 85-95 bucks when I was gonna purchase it.

Might be worth a look ???

Good luck with your trip!

Brian in SLC · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Oct 2003 · Points: 21,711
seth0687 wrote:Doesn't the wisperlite International burn most fuels???
Nope. Comes with a separate jet for kerosene, which makes it "international".

Cheers,

-Brian in SLC
EMT · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2008 · Points: 205

bencia blanca in Chile and Argentina, also sometimes called naptha or Blazo.

Have fun,
Aj

PS we found in torres patagonia, that there was lots of fuel at base camp we could have for free. But, we did buy a little in Argentina and when we did, we asked for bencia blanca...

bognish · · Sandy, UT · Joined Oct 2008 · Points: 0

I ran regular unleaded gas through a wisperlite international for a few years in the US Japan and Australia. Never had a problem, but it does put a bit more black soot on the stove so i cleaned it after each trip. I never used the kerocene adapter on it either.

No advice on how different leaded vs unleaded gas will burn.

Pretty funny to walk up to a full service gas station in Tokyo and hand them a little red bottle and ask the attendant to fell er up.

mark felber · · Wheat Ridge, CO · Joined Jul 2005 · Points: 41

I found that unleaded gas clogged my Whisperlite Internationale eventually. Nothing that couldn't be fixed in the field, but I would think that you have enough on your hands climbing a 6000 meter peak without having to unclog your stove all the time.

Like Brian in SLC says, a new stove is a pretty small fraction of the cost of your whole trip. An MSR X-GK will burn just about anything liquid, and is easier to tear down and clean in the field than the Whisperlite. Carrying a few extra filters for the fuel pump wouldn't hurt, neither would straining all your fuel through one of the filter funnels that they sell at Wal-Mart.

David Appelhans · · Broomfield, CO · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 410

Thanks for the replies. I'm climbing Marmolejo solo so I want to go as light as possible and there won't be a backup stove. As far as buying a new XGK compared to the trip price, I got the plane tickets for free and am not paying for any guiding or hotels...

I think the biggest concern is the fact that lead is not good for you as Perin pointed out. I'm just going to stick to propane canisters.

John where did you look for Bencina?

colin tucker · · Monticello, UT · Joined May 2007 · Points: 35

Well, it will burn leaded gasoline, but plan on bringing a whisperlite repair kit and clean it frequently. Burning leaded seemed to contribute to o-ring corrosion, and definitely left some gunk on mine. And if you cook in a tent, hmm, not good.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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