Please help me with my Whisperlite stove.

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OK here's the the deal, I don't know jack about the MSR Whisperlite International stove. (I've always used pop can stoves.) I bought two used off of Ebay and they're both having same problem, so I don't think I got two bad units. I watched several Youtube videos so I think I know what I'm doing?
I've tried Yellow Heet and denatured alcohol as my fuel source with the same results. I pump up the fuel bottle about 20-30 times. I twist the knob get the little cup full, turn fuel knob off and light. It burst in to flames 20-30 seconds late I turn the knob back on. (Not sure if I should turn it all the way on, half, or what. Anyway I turn it on. The burn is impressive after about a minute or so the flame starts to settle down to what should be the actual stove jets burning. Nice flame like what I have on my kitchen stove. This pretty flame last for about 10-15 seconds and the flickers out. I then relight the flame and and try a different setting for fuel knob, but it doesn't seem to matter the flame flickers and dies out.
I originally thought the stove was dirty or what not. I wrote that seller back and chewed them out, they agreed to give me a refund. In the mean time I bought another one from a different seller it arrived today and is doing the same thing. (Guess I owe the first guy an apology.) Anyway this brings me to my believe that it's more than a dirty head or what not. They both are the shaker version which I've used.
So what am I do wrong?
Thanks for any help.
 
Maybe a different fuel source? I could have sworn that it would burn denatured alcohol though. (Wasn't so sure about the heet.)
 
What Deadeye008 said, although the jet fuel and gasoline sound a little scary to me...

Also, you don't need to fill the pan full. Just a tiny bit usually does the trick. It needs just enough to heat up the stove. When I start one I turn the gas on until a small amount of fuel is in the pan. Then I light the fuel and wait. As it's just about to burn out I turn the fuel on again and it usually ignites the burner and I'm cooking.
 
uhh, so ya, if anyone asks, the Whisperlite International does NOT burn denatured alcohol. I took my stove to REI fired right up using white gas. And now I know. (And so do you.)
 
Stick with the white gas. It is what it is designed to burn.
 
I owned a few whisperlites, and it sounds like yours is clogged. Fuel is pretty dirty, and buying them used you have no idea the care people gave them. X2 on white gas.
Something is blocking the fuel from rising when the pan is heating up. Take it apart and clean it?
 
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