Can't light gas fireplace

[sofasurfer]

Bought house with Heatilator gas fireplace. Can't get it to light.

1) Valve handle in supply line is turned parallel to gas line. I think that is 'on' position. 2) Gas line comes into left side of firebox. Goes into side of off-on valve. Theres a tiny diameter tube or wire(1/16 inch diameter) coming out of rear of off-on valve. It goes around behind logs and runs over to the right side of log pile and (though I can't see it) I can feel that it connects to a small object behind the logs. Is this the electric ignition? I assume it is although I don't know for a fact if it has an electric ignition. 3) On the knob it says "At ignition postion ( I assume this is halfway between on and off ) push part way in to turn off and push all the way in to light". Either I 'light' with a match or this is an electric ignition. I don't hear any sparking. 4) With knob at 'on' or 'light' position I can not hear gas, although once I thought I did. With the main valve having been on all the time but the fireplace has not been used in a year, do I need to leave the valve open for some time to get the gas flowing?

Sorry for all the questions but....

[Tony Hwang]

OK, you allowed gas flow.

Most likely you have a pilot light system. Not piezo ignitor. Push and holding that knob, you have to light the pilot. Use long match stick or gas lighter(like BBQ lighter). When pilot ignites, wait for 30 seconds or so and release the knob and turn it to "on" position.

If you never used gas fire place or worked on gas furnace, look for instruction on the bottom of FP. It's usually printed on a sheet metal plate and secured on a chain. If you can't find it and are not sure of what you're doing, get a friend who knows this stuff and let him show it to you. If you are not careful gas can go Kaboom! Worst thing can happen. BTW, in my house I have 3 gas FPs, a furnace, and two hot water tanks. Tony

[sofasurfer]

I'm being careful. Thats why I came hear to learn before I do anything.

1) The tube that the gas come out of, it runs the length of the logs, UNDERNEATH them. Am I correct that that is where the gas comes out?

2) I assume I can try lighting anywhere along that tube as opposed to a certain spot? I don't see the little orifices. Are they on the bottom of the tube or what?

Thank you.

[buffalobill]

the safety pilot will not allow main gas to flow until the pilot light is lit and heats up the thermocouple a minute or two.

see also:

[barry]

Because of the bad things that can happen, I'd suggest that, instead of relying on double-ended guesswork here, you arrange for some knowledgeable, responsible person to visit. Then identify unit, check it out, explain operation to you, and provide you references like owner's manual.

That person might be from retailer/installer/gas company.

Your insurance company and neighbors will thank you.

J

[Art]

I would use

and try to find instructions for that model on the web.

[sofasurfer]

I can't find a tag with the model or serial numbers. Could it be buried under the charcoal looking stuff spread on the floor of the firebox? By the way, whats that stuff called?

[marks542004]

use the link provided by Buffalobill

[sofasurfer]

OK. Got it lit. Very simple. Its the same principle as a gas stove or some furnaces.

I removed the logs, after noting there individual positions. Now I can see the pilot. Turned the knob to 'pilot' and lit the pilot. Held the knob in for a few seconds and turned the knob to 'on'. Immediately the flame lit and also fire came up through the gravel...charcoal...vermiculite in the bottom of the firebox for about

2 seconds. Startled me a bit but it died down immediately. Must have been some excess gas seepage. Shut it down and relit it and all seems fine. Shut it back down till I ask some more questions. 1) I was told that what I have is not a true gas fireplace, but rather a wood burning fireplace that was converted to gas logs.Whats the differance? At the store I see that a gas fireplace has a valve assembly under the firebox and an electric ignitor. My valve assembly is IN the firebox with only a manual-lit pilot. What other differances are there that makes my NOT A TRUE GAS FIREPLACE? 2) I read that there are 'vented' logs and 'vent-free' logs. Whats the differance and how do I know what I have? 3) Do I burn with the glass dors open or closed, or is there a differance and why? 4) What is the purpose of the charcoal-vermiculite concoction and how should it be spread? Should the gas tube under the logs be covered or not?

Is there anything else I need to know? Thanks...

[HeyBub]

A wood-burning fireplace has a chimney.