Gas heater pilot problem

[Snag]

We have a 5 panel propane fired radiant (as opposed to "blue flame") heater as a backup to the wood stove . Lately the pilot light has given us problems - it failed during the deep freeze here a couple of weeks ago while we were out of town resulting in several hundred dollars of freeze damage . I've cleaned the pilot assemble of dust etc . I've noticed that the pilot flame is blowing off the assembly when the heater is hot . After it turns off the pilot acts erratically , like it has excess pressure blowing it off the pilot assembly . I have no idea why it would do that ... This unit is around 7-8 years old and has never acted this way before . The only change made is that last summer we had a 250 gallon tank installed ... the only other appliance hooked to the "new" tank is the cook stove and it hasn't had any problems . It also doesn't have pilot flames but spark/hot element ignition . Any insights welcome ... oh , and many of the parts are now unavailable .

[Retirednoguilt]

Thermocouple problem? See:

[Cletus Emmett Wheelwelker]

Are you saying a mfr part is no longer available after only 7-8 years? what does mfr tell you?

About the pilot blowing out, have you checked the gas press regulator? Monitored the pressure with a gauge? Asked the gas supplier?

[Snag]

I have been playing phone tag with the Gas Guru at our LPG supplier . It appears to me from observation that the gas pressure is too high when the heater is hot from a run cycle . Once the unit cools off the pilot stays lit just fine . The question is why is pressure higher when hot ? And yes , some original parts are no longer available but aftermarket replacements are .

[Snag]

I don't think so , Bob . I have disassembled the pilot burner assembly and cleaned everything , the orifice is clean and clear . When it shuts off the main burner the pilot flame appears to be blowing off the pilot burner unit , like pressure is too high . After it cools the flame will be steady and the proper size . No yellow in the pilot flame at any time . Just got off the phone with the guy from the gas company , he thinks maybe the ODS is kicking in from low oxygen levels . Told me to crack a window and run the heater and see if that makes a difference . WE'll see how that goes .

[Clare Snyder]

I'd bet you changed the regulator with the tank and the pressure is higher than the old one

[trader_4]

Could be. One would think the gas company would come out and measure it for free. A contributing factor could be if it's a cheapo heater it can't tolerate as wide a pressure range.

[Snag]

Yes , we got a new regulator with the tank . But there's also a regulator inside the heater ... I spent some time yesterday watching this thing , and it's definitely heat related . Even while the main burner is on as it runs longer the pilot flame becomes unstable - but with the main burner going it re-lights immediately . I'll be researching parts availability today . Just as soon as we get dug out of the 8+ inches of heavy wet snow we got overnight . Power lines down all over the county , trees loaded enough that some have snapped off , pine trees are surrounded by branches that broke off from the load ...

[Clare Snyder]

I'd suspect the internal regular may be temperature sensitive. Try icing the regulator to see if the drift goes away

[trader_4]

Is that regulator in the heater adjustable? If not, how about the regulator for the system? You can make a pressure tester using a length of plastic tubing and water, there are probably examples online. Or just call the gas company.

[Snag]

I was thinking the same thing though I was thinking insulation of some type .

We're on day two with the generator , looks like it's going to be tomorrow before we get power back . That's OK , I've got enough gas to last until Saturday night . Met up with a neighbor at the gas station while filling gas cans today , he was filling diesel containers . He and two other neighbors burned some fuel yesterday clearing our road of snow with their tractors . Did a damn fine job of it too !

[Jim Joyce]

Filling gas cans reminds me of the viral video from a year or two ago, where a guy had put a kiddie pool in the bed of his pickup and was filling the pool with gas. The guy waiting in line behind him shot the video and posted it. I sometimes wonder how that turned out.

[Clare Snyder]

We got about six inches of the beautiful white stuff yesterday and overnight. Thankfully I got my wife home from hospital before the heavy accumulation. Not a heavy dump for around here, but more snow than has fallen, total, in the last 6 months!!! -

[Snag]

Here in north central Arkansas we get a storm of this magnitude about once every 5 or 6 years , and most people are not prepared . We got power back last night at about 6:30 . For us it was an inconvenience ... for some up here it was a disaster . Our across the road neighbor has been eating cold canned soup . I wish I'd known he had no means to cook , I'd have had him down for a hot meal or 3 .