Older optimus nova stove fuel connectors difficult to connect

Hi Everyone,

My (circa 2005) optimus nova stove is getting very hard to connect the fuel line to the bottle.

Not sure what to do about it. I know it was designed as a metal-to-metal connector unlike the newer stoves, but it has been quite easy to connect over the years. I love that stove and don’t want to replace it unless absolutely necessary.

Does anyone perhaps have any suggestions?

Thanks

ah! this is the leak.

the fuel connector was just a bit dry.