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Author Topic: Gas Fireplace - Pilot won't stay lit  (Read 6345 times)

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Offline my78k

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Gas Fireplace - Pilot won't stay lit
« on: November 07, 2010, 01:08:28 PM »
Hey all, since most of your expertise is not limited to SOHC's I figured I would take a shot here....

I have a gas fireplace and I can't get the pilot light to stay lit. I have a good strong blue flame when I hold the button in and get the flame detector GLOWING red but for some reason it won't stay lit. As soon as I let go of it the flame dies. I ttok the glass off etc and cleaned the flame detector rod thingy...

What are my next steps? I assume it is the thermo coupler? How do I test it?

Thanks in adance,
Dennis
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Offline Don R

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Re: Gas Fireplace - Pilot won't stay lit
« Reply #1 on: November 07, 2010, 01:16:36 PM »
A thermocouple produces voltage measured in millivolts. Usually 30 is a good reading.  Most meters don't read in millivollts so I just try a new one first, they are like a light bulb, sometimes they just stop working. If you can't find the right length you can leave the excess coiled up.
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Offline Alan F.

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Re: Gas Fireplace - Pilot won't stay lit
« Reply #2 on: November 07, 2010, 01:31:37 PM »
Yeah those thermocouples are definitely to be considered a consumable item, always keep a spare or two on hand.  They're usually priced between $5 and $10
Alan
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Offline tramp

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Re: Gas Fireplace - Pilot won't stay lit
« Reply #3 on: November 07, 2010, 01:43:34 PM »
give it a good cleaning
remove the logs and blow it all down or use a vacuum  cleaner and  it out
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Offline my78k

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Re: Gas Fireplace - Pilot won't stay lit
« Reply #4 on: November 07, 2010, 02:26:27 PM »
Yeah it is pretty clean. I gave it a good going over last winter...

It acted up a bit late last winter and I suspect it has finally given up. How hard is it to change out?
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: Gas Fireplace - Pilot won't stay lit
« Reply #5 on: November 07, 2010, 02:30:17 PM »
I had a gas fireplace, non-vented, and replaced it with a "real" wood burning fireplace.
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Offline Cuts Crooked

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Re: Gas Fireplace - Pilot won't stay lit
« Reply #6 on: November 07, 2010, 04:27:13 PM »
Not difficult usually. One end has a threaded fitting to screw in/out. And there is usually some kind of bracket that may need to be disassembled/reassembled to hold the bulb end over the pilot flame.
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Offline Cqyqte

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Re: Gas Fireplace - Pilot won't stay lit
« Reply #7 on: November 07, 2010, 05:37:34 PM »
Quote from: my78k on November 07, 2010, 02:26:27 PM
Yeah it is pretty clean. I gave it a good going over last winter...

It acted up a bit late last winter and I suspect it has finally given up. How hard is it to change out?

Not hard at all, but for insurance reasons I would have a Gas Tech come in and just check it out after you change the thermopile yourself.  If something happens and the house burns down and an auditor/fire investigator finds the fireplace as the source of ignition and the insurance company finds out you did the work yourself.  You will be F@#Ked for a payout.  I have seen it happen with furnances.
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Offline my78k

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Re: Gas Fireplace - Pilot won't stay lit
« Reply #8 on: November 12, 2010, 03:06:52 PM »
UPDATE!

Apparently the part I actually need is not really a thermocouple. It is a Mercury flame sensor....and apparently not made in 15 years!

Any HVAC guys out there know if I can find one from another model and just swap it out?

They want $550 to MAYBE retrofit the fireplace....kinda crazy for a 22 yr old fireplace and I don't have 2-4K to put in a new one....

TIA,
Dennis
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Offline Alan F.

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Re: Gas Fireplace - Pilot won't stay lit
« Reply #9 on: November 12, 2010, 04:38:52 PM »
« Last Edit: November 12, 2010, 04:40:25 PM by Alan F. »
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Offline my78k

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Re: Gas Fireplace - Pilot won't stay lit
« Reply #10 on: November 12, 2010, 06:43:52 PM »
Yeah E-Bay was the first site I checked. They are definitely not an exact match as mine only has 2 spade connectors.

What I am not getting is, I assume it is a normally closed switch since I have continuity between the poles. So as part of th trouble shooting I put the oHM meter on and even with heat the switch doesn't open. So my next step was to push start the pilot and when I bridge the 2 wires they piolt stays on but when I remove them it goes out (the gas seems to stop though. If that is the case what is the purpose of the switch in the first place?

Dennis
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Offline Alan F.

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Re: Gas Fireplace - Pilot won't stay lit
« Reply #11 on: November 12, 2010, 07:33:49 PM »
Quote from: my78k on November 12, 2010, 06:43:52 PM
Yeah E-Bay was the first site I checked. They are definitely not an exact match as mine only has 2 spade connectors.

Maybe someone with knowlege of the inner workings of that switch will chime in.
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Offline bender01

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Re: Gas Fireplace - Pilot won't stay lit
« Reply #12 on: November 12, 2010, 09:44:11 PM »
I did not look at your links but I am a Chef and i deal with old (Obsolete Makes) stoves at work. Your local gas company has a service crew that services Resturants/Homes and that guy will be able to find /hotrod a universal whatever part you need. If your Gas Co. wont do it nearly free, find the local Mom/Pop one. Gas Co. doesnt want to have a house they supply go up in flames!! Thats bad buisness.  The local Mom/Pop one will talk your ear off cause he works alone and thats the way he likes it.(Big gas Co. let him go..for talking) The price will be very fair and you will understand what failed by the time he fixes it! He will tell you. ;D
 
« Last Edit: November 13, 2010, 07:31:09 AM by bender01 »
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Offline 333

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Re: Gas Fireplace - Pilot won't stay lit
« Reply #13 on: November 13, 2010, 06:11:37 AM »
I know absolutely nothing about this particular part, but in reading the in depth description, it seems to me the reason for three connectors on that Ebay part might be that it is dual voltage,  Just guessin'.  Might be worth dropping a line to the seller and asking.
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Offline Cuts Crooked

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Re: Gas Fireplace - Pilot won't stay lit
« Reply #14 on: November 13, 2010, 01:12:31 PM »
Quote from: my78k on November 12, 2010, 06:43:52 PM
Yeah E-Bay was the first site I checked. They are definitely not an exact match as mine only has 2 spade connectors.

What I am not getting is, I assume it is a normally closed switch since I have continuity between the poles. So as part of th trouble shooting I put the oHM meter on and even with heat the switch doesn't open. So my next step was to push start the pilot and when I bridge the 2 wires they piolt stays on but when I remove them it goes out (the gas seems to stop though. If that is the case what is the purpose of the switch in the first place?

Dennis

Not an expert by any  stretch, but I suspect that the sensor serves pretty much the same purpose as a thermocouple, it lets the system know that there is a lit pilot, and keeps the gas on when the pilot is lit...no flame at the pilot, it breaks the connection to switch off gas so that it doesn't keep flowing and kill ya in yer sleep. When you jump the connectors, it thinks it's s got a pilot and keep gas flowing. But if you were leave it jumped and the pilot actually did blow out....yer toast! That's my guess on it, with the little dangerous knowledge I got from "Time Life Books Handimans guide"  :-\
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Offline my78k

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Re: Gas Fireplace - Pilot won't stay lit
« Reply #15 on: November 23, 2010, 08:27:40 PM »
Just to close the loop on this one....

I searched on Ebay (several times!) and found what appeared to be the correct switch even though the model numbers didn't match. A week later and now my part is installed and the basement is toasty warm!! Even knocked the pilot out on purpose to ENSURE the gas cuts out correctly and it does!! $65 USD sure beats $550 to replace the gas valave as the fireplace store told me I would have to do!!

Dennis
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Offline Alan F.

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Re: Gas Fireplace - Pilot won't stay lit
« Reply #16 on: November 24, 2010, 07:11:09 AM »
That's great news, really something to be thankful for.
Cheers!
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Offline my78k

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Re: Gas Fireplace - Pilot won't stay lit
« Reply #17 on: November 24, 2010, 04:25:17 PM »
I have to be thankful retro-actively! OUR Thanksgiving was last month!  ;)

Dennis

Oh but to those of you south of the border happy Thanksgiving!!!
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Offline Alan F.

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Re: Gas Fireplace - Pilot won't stay lit
« Reply #18 on: November 24, 2010, 06:17:33 PM »
Oh Yeah, that's right! wow I forgot that one.
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Offline seaweb11

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Re: Gas Fireplace - Pilot won't stay lit
« Reply #19 on: November 24, 2010, 06:33:19 PM »
Nice work. ;)
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