Watchout for Faulty NATO Fuel Can Spouts

[FLYFISHEXPERT]

I finally decided to post this problem I have been dealing with. I picked up a pair of surplus NATO fuel cans a while back and have since gone through a couple of spouts. Thankfully the local surplus store has been great to work with, exchanging each one for a new one.

Here is the problem. They do not seal well to the can and drip/pour fuel from the base. They all seam to function the same. The problem, I believe, lies in the distance from the locking mechanism pivot and the base of the gasket. When the spout is fully locked, it does not compress the gasket enough to create a good seal. On the trail and trips, I have remedied the problem by sticking sticks or cardboard between the locking mechanism and the can, as seen in the bellow pictures.

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs277.snc1/10427_1052910141374_1784404091_106660_107441_n.jpg

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs257.snc1/10427_1052910061372_1784404091_106659_4328169_n.jp g

I am planning on fixing the problem by cutting some 10ga steel in the shape of the gasket to push the gasket farther away from the pivot.

Has anybody else experienced this problem?

Where can I pick up a new spot that won't cost an arm and a leg? Is there anything out there that doesn't cost an arm and an leg?

[snipecatcher]

Mine looks just like yours and has the same problem. It will leak for the first couple seconds until a good flow gets going. They are cheap chinese junk. I too would like to find a source of real military surplus spouts. There has got to be a ton of them out there somewhere!
-Dan

[timber]

You might want to get rid of the Asian made knockoff spout and get one that works. I fought those cheap ones for some time.... This spout works well
http://www.deutscheoptik.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=3&products_id=1032
The same company also sells a Swiss made NATO spout which is fantastic! and is leak free with any can its been used on, The spout is longer, the vent tube is better designed and it pours very fast. The fastening cam is longer and more gradual, It really is the best I have ever used. Unfortunately they don't list that one right now, I think they still get them from time to time. You may want to call and inquire.

[timber]

Here are pics of the Swiss Spout,
http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/ww4/Timber5086/P1040096.jpg
http://i700.photobucket.com/albums/ww4/Timber5086/P1040098.jpg

The only thing I did was solder the end of a chinese Spout to the swiss one so it fits the unleaded filler necks.

[Antichrist]

the link below has the green spouts for sale, and the guy has some other good jerry cans and spouts. Not cheap, but it ain't CARB!I have one of the green ones, and the plastic eventually split, probably due to bending it at too tight a radius.

[timber]

These look interesting as well. I have only seen this type for the round threaded US cans.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Military-Fuel-Gas-Jerry-Can-Nozzle-Scepter-NATO-Blitz_W0QQitemZ160393112614QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_D efaultDomain_0?hash=item25582cac26

[kai38]

I was tired of the spouts not fitting tight enough and fuel spilling. I use this now
http://www.offroadtuff.com/prodimages/ss/supers.gif

I don't even bring the fuel spouts anymore.

[monele]

I have a cheap Chinese spout. I just bent the cams in with a hammer and it has worked fine ever since. I want one of the good ones someday, but for $6 and a couple hammer swings, I'll survive for now.

[blackheart]

I am just going to go to my welder and have him fab me some cans this has gone beyond nuts

[blackheart]

I can't remember when I saw a can that rough that was still in service

[cruiseroutfit]

I am just going to go to my welder and have him fab me some cans this has gone beyond nuts

Be sure to post pics and prices. Unless he's knocking the out by the dozens (more likely hundreds) I don't know how you could even get close to the price of clean surplus cans ($15-30) trying to build a new one.


I can't remember when I saw a can that rough that was still in service

What is so rough about it? It has a bit of surface paint wear but that does affect the cans performance whatsoever.

[FLYFISHEXPERT]

I can't remember when I saw a can that rough that was still in service

This is the better looking of my two cans. Both, apart from the spout, work great. Best part is I got them from the local Surplus store for cheap!:sombrero:

I have some 13ga stainless sheet I am going to use to make a spacer to 'push' the gasket out a little bit. I will post some pictures as soon as I get it done.

Here is another shot from the first spout I had.
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa211/beaukrista/2009/Texas%20Springs%20-%20May/DSCF0353.jpg
This is an example of the need to test new gear prior to a trip. We were in Northern Nevada rock-hounding when I went to fill up the tank and discovered the leak.

I do like the Super Siphon idea and will probably get one of them this year.