Pilot light problem

[Kristen]

we have a problem I don't ..................speak French.

Does your browser translate? Google Chrome normally does that automatically (or popups up a "Shall I translate this for you"). I think on IE its Right-Click + Translate.

The translation may not be good enough of course ... so this more just "For Info"

[Nicos]

Might siund like a rediculously stupid question after all that technical stuff but......

Have you checked the propane levels, and that you've opened the valve fully?

...that's the sort of thing I would forget to check!

[roitelet]

Yep, checked all the levels, valves etc and it still won't work!!!

[Nicos]

How frustrating....And we're due frosts this week apparently.
Hope you get it sorted soon x

[roitelet]

Just come up with a cunning plan to keep a small part of the tunnel frost free. WATCH THIS SPACE!!!

[Potstubsdustbins]

Funny you should say that Nicos but it has been nagging me all day but I have only just managed to get on line.

Roitelet, did you try to light the main burner manually? i.e. establish the pilot light, turn on the main burner and light with a kitchen match or taper, if the burner lights it proves there is plenty of gas getting to the appliance.

[Potstubsdustbins]

I have just been back to scan your pics again, being a tight wad I don't like to spend money until everything else has been tried.

Couple of things from your pics it looks like there is a fuel supervision device fitted to the main burner. If so this will give a two stage ignition, the burner will light on a low flame until the FSD probe warms up and only then come up to full fire, just so you know when you try to light it.

Second thing, it just maybe that it is not the pilot injector that is blocked but that a small piece of debris has dropped into the top of the pilot burner, If you have some compressed air cleaner put the end of the tube into the top of the pilot burner and give it a blast, or you could use some small plastic pipe and a good set of lungs.


#15 Yes BB after we are finished everything gets checked with the old soapy water. Pros use something called leak detection fluid an expensive version of soapy water.

[roitelet]

I'm tight too!!!

The main burner will light manually and it doesn't seem to be a two stage as you suggested. On or off, no in between. I will give the pilot hole a blast tomorrow 'cos I've packed up for today. I case I have to wait for a part tonight I'm going to try the 'cunning plan'. I will report back tomorrow.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Your exercise for tomorrow. Give the pilot burner a blast just to see if it has any effect.

If not proceed as follows. Lay a cloth where you are going to work wouldn't want to lose anything and disconnect the gas bottle. Remove the tin work in front of the pilot assembly so you have free access. If I am right the pilot burner will be in two parts, the top part with the flame on you said was welded to the bracket, therefore access must be from below. The alli gas supply tube into the bottom of the burner should end in a brass union nut. Get a combination of spanners or grips one to fit the piece above the nut and one for the nut itself and using them against each other undo the nut. Don't use just one tool or you could end up damaging the supply pipe. The brass nut should be a right hand thread so you will be applying pressure to the brass nut in a clock wise direction. Using equal and opposite pressure keep going until the nut 'cracks' and you can undo it. Gentle ease the alli tube out the way and now do the same to the pilot burner. Again hold the top part of the burner (above the bracket) with one tool and the part below the bracket with another, using equal and opposite pressure build up the force until the joint 'cracks'. This joint may be more difficult to 'crack'. If you have a spanner that fits, lay the appliance on its back with the spanner on the nut to be removed and whilst holding the top part of the pilot burner fetch the spanner a sharp rap with a screwdriver.

As you unscrew this part of the burner take care, inside there will be the pilot injector and we don't want to lose it. Again I am guessing here but it will probably be made of pressed tin and about the size of a pea. This is the bit you need to dump into boiling water and blow clean or if necessary replace.

When it comes to reassembly do everything in the reverse order, making sure you do not 'cross' any threads and tighten things using the same amount of pressure that you used to undo them.

Finally when you are ready to test out before you put the tin work back on, turn on and light the pilot, as you are no doubt aware you will have to give the air in the pipe a chance to purge out and then apply your soapy water, check tighten any nuts where you see a bubble.

Doing it this way you really have nothing to lose, you may get away with buying nothing, next worst option is the injector only (shouldn't be to expensive) and if it all goes wrong its back to plan 'b' and buy a new pilot assembly.

I will think of you whilst I am in the pub tomorrow dinner.............. I promise.

[roitelet]

Eeeeeek!!!!!!!! You do realize that you are talking to an aged Great Grandmother. I will give it a go, and your thoughts will drive me on.

Thanks

[Potstubsdustbins]

Well I'm a granddad, just take your time, we oldies have plenty of it. I will be back on tomorrow evening if you need advice.

I forgot if you need anything to drive you on do what I do...........................think of the money your saving.........works wonders for me..

[bearded bloke]

#15 Yes BB after we are finished everything gets checked with the old soapy water. Pros use something called leak detection fluid an expensive version of soapy water.

Thought it may have been potty I favour the Rocol product ....



...... really handy on connections of gas bottles on welding equipment

[Potstubsdustbins]

I am a Regin man myself, less expensive when you buy by the dozen. Yep we use a lot of it.

[Bill HH]

As an aside, all this talk of canned compressed air, it is quite expensive, i would pop down to my local garage with the part or the heater and ask them to blast it, if they are decent guys they wont charge you.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Suppose it is Bill especially if you buy in singles from a computer store, that's why I suggested a good pair of lungs.

My guys use it every single day of life and it can save a fortune in time, I get 12 400ml cans for £26-96 which makes it good value for us.