Pilot light problem

[roitelet]

i have a gas heater for the tunnel. I have just lit it for the first time this year and the pilot light is burning very low not enough to light the main gas jets when they kick in. I have turned the heater upside down and given it a good knock to dislodge any muck that may have accumulated round the pilot. However this has not worked, I have left it burning all night with the main jets turned off in the hope that whatever is causing the problem would burn off.
Any suggestions please.

[Kristen]

give it a blow with some Compressed air? Doubting that you have a suitable compressor though ... its available in aerosol cans (with a little tube so you can target the blast) - used to clean / cool computer electronics, so that type of shop might have some. Might be a bit expensive though.

Fine wire that you can poke into the pilot light? Not sure if that is a good idea / might damage the gubbins, but that's what lazy-me would probably do

[bearded bloke]

It reads like the pilot flame is hot enough to heat the thermo-couple enough to open the main gas valve, if this is the case try taking off the guard, then remove the radiant panels (generally they lift up then pullthe bottom out & downwards) & dust off the main the gas bar.
Personally I wouldn't be poking wire into jets, if you think it is partially blocked unscrew it & if you have compressed air blow it out, if not then soaking in warm soapy water will soften most crud enough to be clearable by simply putting to your lips & blowing.

Hopefully "potty" will be along later with some qualified thoughts

[bearded bloke]

Another thought, if you are not too sure about removing the jets you could clean the tops of dust build up by damping a Qtip (other brands would also work) with nail varnish remover & wiping over until no dirt is apparent on the tip, be sure to let any fumes fully evaporate before lighting the fire

[roitelet]

Thanks.

The problem is not the main jets but the pilot light not burning well enough to ignite the main jets. Just a small flame not as big as it should be. I will try cleaning it and wait for Potty to come along with some technical tricks.

[Potstubsdustbins]

No technical tricks to this one I am afraid. If the pilot lights and stays in then the thermocouple should be OK and the problem is that the pilot light is not big enough to light the main burner.

One word of warning bottled gas is heavier than air so slowly sinks to the ground, this could cause what we call explosive ignition, which may just give you heart failure.

Do not try and poke anything in to the pilot tip, the hole is just to small and you will distort/enlarge it giving you a pilot flame like a blow lamp.

Turn the gas of at the bottle and carefully unscrew the pilot tip hold it up to the light and looking from the rear you will be able to see through the injector and observe just how small the aperture is. There may just be a removable filter that need cleaning. If not then drop it in a cup of boiling water to soak for a few minutes and using either a good set of lungs or canned compressed air blow through it backwards holding it to the light again will give you an idea if you have made any improvement. Replace in the heater and give it a try, if after this there is no improvement you will have to purchase a new pilot injector.

If you have any problems come back to me and I'll try to help.

[roitelet]

Thanks, I will give it a try. Difficult to get the tip off the pilot and it is soldered to the thermocouple.

Back to the spanners and the drawing board!!!!!!!

[Potstubsdustbins]

Whoa slow down.

That could just be what we call an atmospheric sensing device, please post a pic before proceeding.

Maybe some detail on the heater too.

[roitelet]

The heater is a Sovelor Thermibox 1 propane and I have used it for three years. It has an automatic striker for the pilot which doesn't work anymore but that doesn't worry me.

Here are three pictures from the top, underneath and through the hole on the front. If you look at the one from the top you can see the flame from the pilot just like a dying lighter!!

[Potstubsdustbins]

Thanks. It could be a complete unit but there is a chance, it is certainly not an ASD.

Is the bracket that hold the thermocouple, pilot and spark ignition welded or screwed to the burner rail?

How are the thermocouple and spark ignition probe fixed to the bracket?

From what I can see the pilot assembly has spanner flanges both above and below the bracket is this so?

[roitelet]

The bracket is screwed to the burner rail but the screw heads are on the burner side and inaccessible with out taking the burner out.

The pilot has spanner flanges as you say.

Not really sure how the spark and thermocouple are attached. One bit is certainly attached to the pilot as if you push the pilot gently it moves with it.It's the white one that has the probe on it I am not sure about.

I've found their web site but it makes no mention of spare parts. www.sovelor.com.

Thanks for the help, very much appreciated.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Yes I found their web site before I started to ask what might seem like silly questions but Huston we have a problem I don't ..................speak French.

If the bracket is screwed to the burner rail I would think that the part that holds the thermocouple etc comes as a unit. It looks to me as if the thermocouple is welded to the side of the pilot light again this would fit in with the 'complete unit' idea.

If so below the pilot assembly there should be a brass union nut to disconnect the gas supply pipe. The leads from the thermocouple and spark ignition would be disconnect at their other ends and the whole thing replaced.

As a first move I would contact the manufacturers about the availability of parts. On the appliance there should be a data plate with serial numbers etc have these to hand when you speak to them.

If you can get the required part I can guide you the job, but you will need the correct spanners, screwdrivers etc and a dish of soapy water with a small brush.

I have been shouted for my tea but will be back later.

[roitelet]

Thanks so much. I won't be able to contact them until Tuesday and see if they will supply the part then I will shout for help again!!!

[Potstubsdustbins]

Your welcome, have your credit card ready..........................

[bearded bloke]

and a dish of soapy water with a small brush.

Is that for leak detection Potty ?


As ever, many thanks from the Mod Squad for your professional expertise, time & advice on this matter