trouble shoot a gas stove

[lenlori2.1]

I have a gas fireplace. The pilot lights great and fires right up. After about ten minutes...you hear a click and everything goes out. WHy? Also, the flames burn really really blue there is no orange to it. Can anyone help?

Thanks.

 

[MountainStoveGuy]

Blocked flue? Bad thermopile? Bad snap disk? without a multimeter it will be hard to tell. You need to check voltage on the thermopile circuit, and the continuity on the snap disk. Im guessing its the thermopile not producing enough millivotls to keep the the main gate on the valve open.

 

[lenlori2.1]

can you explain any of that to me and how to fix it myself?

 

[webbie]

can you explain any of that to me and how to fix it myself?

Read the article at:
https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/articles/how_gas_works

as well as other article in the same info area about gas - to get an idea about how these appliances work. Unless you are handy and technically astute, you should not be messing with gas valves. You also definitely need a manual - either the service or installation one...or both.

 

[lenlori2.1]

Thanks. How about the super blue flames, no orange or yellow to them at all?

 

[MountainStoveGuy]

is this a new install? if so, who installed it? how is it vented? strait back?

 

[webbie]

Are you saying this is the way your unit burns? With blue flames? A blue flame is a clean flame, but it might signal "ghosting" where there is either a blockage in the flue system....or, an overdraft sucking the flame up the chimney too quickly.

Without a lot more info it is hard to know. Is the unit Direct vent, or B-Vent - What is the venting setup? What brand?

MSG is right - could be lots of things. For instance, maybe the gas pressure is low and the pilot works fine until the entire gas starts flowing...this takes pressure and heat off the pilot and therefore the thermocouple shuts down.

Most likely, if it worked before, is a bad thermocouple or even a bad connection from the TC to the valve. Also, these units often have an overheat sensor at the top of the front, and this will shut down if too hot. You might be able to check this by turning the unit down low (if it has settings) and seeing if it lasts longer than ten minutes this way.

 

[BrotherBart]

Two rules for gas appliances:

1. Always have them repaired by a qualified gas appliance technician.

2. See rule number one.

Never mess around with something that can explode.

 

[lenlori2.1]

Its a 36" majestic. And the appearance of the flames are very blue. When I tap the heating or flame element a bit it turn a beautiful orange and yellow. But then goes back to blue....any ideas.

Len

 

[MountainStoveGuy]

sounds like a draft problem. Is this a new install?

 

[GVA]

sounds like a draft problem. Is this a new install?

If it is a new install and lines were not flushed right it could be a partially blocked orifice in the gas valve also

See brother barts rules for gas appliances, if you are not familiar with servicing them than it is a good idea not to other than maybe checking high temp cutout switches drafting etc.
Getting back to the install orifice size could be off a bit depending on the altitude in which said appliance is installed..

 

[MountainStoveGuy]

Since we cant get a answer, im going to guess its a new install, vented out the rear, with no slope on the pipe. Could be a corner install with the horizontal to long by the specs. Any rate, im guessing its overheating.

 

[lenlori2.1]

sorry I didn't get back last night...it is a corner fireplace unti. The problem I have getting someone to come out is that everyone in the GR, MI area talks to you like your an idiot and they don't seem to want to come out and see what your problem is. Paying isn't the problem getting someone that is intersted in your system is. I messed with the pilot a bit last night and it ended up buring for a couple hours. The thing essentially heats two levels of my house...its awesome. But if you have a light on in the room you can't see the flames becuase they are so blue...How do I adjust the amount of gas that is going to the unit.


THanks. This site and all of your help has been awesome.

 

[fastrac]

The question keeps coming up


IS IT A NEW INSTALL?

I am sure once you get past that question you might be able to get some trouble shooting advice

 

[MountainStoveGuy]

man you shouldnt be messing with anything. If you want advice, please address all the questions stated in the other posts. Please. Once we have some information, we could possibly help you. The person who installed it will come out. If you installed it then that answers why people wont touch it. If you didnt pull a permit then no one will touch it. We have asked you severl times if this is a new install. Gas techs arent stupid people, they are not homowners that do a little research and learn a trade overnight. You obviosly dont know what you are doing, if you cant find the airshutter then you have no business messing with this. Im not trying to be nasty, just frank. These things are dangerous. Ghosting flame is serious. You could blow the glass right out of the fireplace. Give us the information we are asking for so WE CAN HELP YOU. The air shutter adjustment is in your manual. I highly suggest you read it.

 

[webbie]

You can't really adjust the amount of gas going to the unit.....if it is too little, this is prob because the supply piping is too long, too small or has a blockage.

MSG is correct that there might be a shutter which makes it burn "dirtier" - meaning some yellow on the flames.

As mentioned, an overdraft is possible...but we still don't know if Direct Vent, B Vent, etc. - Some fireplaces have air restrictors which should be installed if the chimney is over a certain height.

I think this thread has at least told you what to look for in the manual, and will probably help you describe the problem to a service tech. In most cases, someone who knows what they are doing can fix this stuff every time. There are only so many variables.

 

[buildafire]

From your first post, it sounds like the unit has fine draft. The gas valve has two circuits in it. One controls the burner flame and one controls the pilot flame. That click you hear is the pilot circuit cutting out and the valve slamming closed. The thermocouple is in charge of the gas valve. You have two "probes" that are being heated by the pilot flame. The smaller one is the thermocouple. My guess is that if you watch the pilot flame as the unit is running, that it slowly starts to pull away from the thermocouple. When the thermocouple is too cool, it shuts off the valve... Light the pilot again, watch it, and see if that's what happens...

 

[elkimmeg]

I thinking if this is an older install that blockage could be due to gas spiders in the feed line.

Dito never try to adjust a gas appliance especially when you do not know what you are doing. The next fiddling with that stove could be your last

 

[fastrac]

Its a 36" majestic. And the appearance of the flames are very blue. When I tap the heating or flame element a bit it turn a beautiful orange and yellow. But then goes back to blue....any ideas.

Len

I think I know why his flame is blue

If I was looking for information

I have a majestic Model number XXXXXXXX fireplace Its about XX years old its installed in a corner and runs on XXXXX gas

I has been running fine until

OR

Its just been installed and

 

[fastrac]

From your first post, it sounds like the unit has fine draft. The gas valve has two circuits in it. One controls the burner flame and one controls the pilot flame. That click you hear is the pilot circuit cutting out and the valve slamming closed. The thermocouple is in charge of the gas valve. You have two "probes" that are being heated by the pilot flame. The smaller one is the thermocouple. My guess is that if you watch the pilot flame as the unit is running, that it slowly starts to pull away from the thermocouple. When the thermocouple is too cool, it shuts off the valve... Light the pilot again, watch it, and see if that's what happens...

Use caution here as majestic has several room vented units in there product line up

Really have to know what he has

 

[MountainStoveGuy]

From your first post, it sounds like the unit has fine draft. The gas valve has two circuits in it. One controls the burner flame and one controls the pilot flame. That click you hear is the pilot circuit cutting out and the valve slamming closed. The thermocouple is in charge of the gas valve. You have two "probes" that are being heated by the pilot flame. The smaller one is the thermocouple. My guess is that if you watch the pilot flame as the unit is running, that it slowly starts to pull away from the thermocouple. When the thermocouple is too cool, it shuts off the valve... Light the pilot again, watch it, and see if that's what happens...

unless its overheating due to a rear exit with a down slope.

 

[buildafire]

Yeah.. I guess MSG, but it lights fine. I would think it would ghost more when it's cold at startup if it was a down slope...

 

[lenlori2.1]

MountainStoveGuy certainly proves the point that people that know the business sure can make you feel stupid. Thanks man. Don't reply MSG becuase you are the people I despise, ones that think they know it all but haven't a clue how to talk to people. TO answer your rude questions. The person that installed smashed the tire out of my mantle when he installed it and then went on to charge me $400 more than he quoted. Think I want him back in my home. No! We pulled permits thanks. Becuase someone doesn't understand the question you don't assume. Remember what assuming does. Assuming haven't read the manual thirteen times...assuming I am trying to perfect a trade over night...

Here's the story. It was installed by a pro. It is a corner fireplace unit that was vented out the side of the house. Did I do it, heck no! I am just trying to figure out why I have blue flames instead of yellow. Thats it....didn't come here to harm anyone or thing. The perfect example of why people stop coming to these websites...Moderator.

 

[buildafire]

Okay, time for a beer. If it works for loading woodstoves, it can't hurt for figuring out a fireplace that won't stay lit. MountainStoveGuy is very knowledgeable and can help with almost any hearth challenge. You came looking for help, let us help. You do, however, get the honor of hearing opinion, tone, attitude, and even mood when you come here. Don't take it personally...

Did you try relighting the pilot light again and watching its behavior?

 

[fastrac]

MountainStoveGuy certainly proves the point that people that know the business sure can make you feel stupid. Thanks man. Don't reply MSG becuase you are the people I despise, ones that think they know it all but haven't a clue how to talk to people. TO answer your rude questions. The person that installed smashed the tire out of my mantle when he installed it and then went on to charge me $400 more than he quoted. Think I want him back in my home. No! We pulled permits thanks. Becuase someone doesn't understand the question you don't assume. Remember what assuming does. Assuming haven't read the manual thirteen times...assuming I am trying to perfect a trade over night...

Here's the story. It was installed by a pro. It is a corner fireplace unit that was vented out the side of the house. Did I do it, heck no! I am just trying to figure out why I have blue flames instead of yellow. Thats it....didn't come here to harm anyone or thing. The perfect example of why people stop coming to these websites...Moderator.

I think your off base with MSG, he is here to help

Your lack of information does not allow anybody any chance of helping you solve the problem. There are allot of things that can cause a unit to have blue flames, and a couple of them can be dangerous. your describing 2 problems

1-blue flames
2-unit going off

chances are both are related to a venting problem.

So lets try again




Ok I will give you all of the questions I need to know to start to diagnoise your problem

What is the model number

How old is it, is this a brand new installation and its the first time you are using it or is this a new problem

How is the unit vented, is it straight out the back? or does it have a chimney connected to it.

Can you post a picture of the outdoor vent and where its located ?

What type of gas