Diaper Swappers

Manna00 · 01-02-2009, 11:11 AM

We hav a Glo-warm wall-mounted gas heater.. and last night all of the sudden the pilot light keeps going out... it won't stay lit for more than 5 minutes.. even on the highest level. Ugh.

I've been car-less for the last 4 days with it in the shop (and now an unexpected $200 car bill

) and I would REALLY appreciate it if anyone had any ideas about this before we have to call in a handyman.

Anyone?

farmfresh · 01-02-2009, 12:57 PM

we had the same problem w/ our ventless gas fireplace. dh jiggled some wires and took a pipecleaner (like the ones you used to use when making crafts as a kid in the church basement) to the pilot light. i wish i could better explain it, but whatever he did, it worked. gas fireplaces scare me, so i just stayed away from him while he was doing it. good luck.

Manna00 · 01-02-2009, 01:18 PM

Thanks for your help. I'm hoping a little time with a "can of air" (like for the keyboard) will help things out. It IS pretty dusty in there.

cristancanoe · 01-02-2009, 03:29 PM

The pilot light needs enough air to help it get hot enough to trigger the heater to turn on. Its a type of safety measure, it shuts off the gas if the pilot can't get it hot enough.

If the air intakes are clogged, I would think canned air would work great. If not try a pipe cleaner like pp mentioned.

Do you need to hold down any button after it's lit? If so, hold it down for a longer period of time to give the pilot plenty of time to heat up.

Do you have plenty of gas? sometimes a low pressure in the tank can cause a lazy pilot flame. Is the valve from the tank all the way open?

Good luck and I hope you get warm soon!

cristancanoe · 01-02-2009, 03:31 PM

oh yeah, be sure there is no flame present when you use the canned air. No need for any explosions!!

Manna00 · 01-02-2009, 03:36 PM

oh.. def. about the canned air + flame. WOOOSH!

No thanks.

We have city gas (rather than our own tank)... and the gas stove is fine, the gas water heater is great. I'm hoping a little cleaning will help. But it's DH's job.. I'm so big I can't get down there!

01-02-2009, 11:11 AM	#1
Manna00 Pinchin' pennies 'til they scream Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: South Western, Virginia Posts: 29,988 Ratings: 772 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Anyone have a wall-mounted gas heater that won't stay lit? We hav a Glo-warm wall-mounted gas heater.. and last night all of the sudden the pilot light keeps going out... it won't stay lit for more than 5 minutes.. even on the highest level. Ugh. I've been car-less for the last 4 days with it in the shop (and now an unexpected $200 car bill ) and I would REALLY appreciate it if anyone had any ideas about this before we have to call in a handyman. Anyone? __________________ Come "like" The Screaming Penny on Facebook HERE Groupon Eversave Discover Swagbucks (FAQ) then join Swagbucks [B]

01-02-2009, 12:57 PM	#2
farmfresh Registered Users Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,187 Ratings: 22 Feedback: 100%	Re: Anyone have a wall-mounted gas heater that won't stay lit? we had the same problem w/ our ventless gas fireplace. dh jiggled some wires and took a pipecleaner (like the ones you used to use when making crafts as a kid in the church basement) to the pilot light. i wish i could better explain it, but whatever he did, it worked. gas fireplaces scare me, so i just stayed away from him while he was doing it. good luck.

01-02-2009, 01:18 PM	#3
Manna00 Pinchin' pennies 'til they scream Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: South Western, Virginia Posts: 29,988 Ratings: 772 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Anyone have a wall-mounted gas heater that won't stay lit? Thanks for your help. I'm hoping a little time with a "can of air" (like for the keyboard) will help things out. It IS pretty dusty in there. __________________ Come "like" The Screaming Penny on Facebook HERE Groupon Eversave Discover Swagbucks (FAQ) then join Swagbucks [B]

01-02-2009, 03:29 PM	#4
cristancanoe Registered Users Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Alaska! Posts: 931	Re: Anyone have a wall-mounted gas heater that won't stay lit? The pilot light needs enough air to help it get hot enough to trigger the heater to turn on. Its a type of safety measure, it shuts off the gas if the pilot can't get it hot enough. If the air intakes are clogged, I would think canned air would work great. If not try a pipe cleaner like pp mentioned. Do you need to hold down any button after it's lit? If so, hold it down for a longer period of time to give the pilot plenty of time to heat up. Do you have plenty of gas? sometimes a low pressure in the tank can cause a lazy pilot flame. Is the valve from the tank all the way open? Good luck and I hope you get warm soon!

01-02-2009, 03:31 PM	#5
cristancanoe Registered Users Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Alaska! Posts: 931	Re: Anyone have a wall-mounted gas heater that won't stay lit? oh yeah, be sure there is no flame present when you use the canned air. No need for any explosions!!