| Author |
Message |
    
Maplewoody
Citizen
Username: Maplewoody
Post Number: 428
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 12:04 am: |     |
We came home from a trip into NYC this evening to find our home cold. The furnaces' pilot light blew out. What would cause a pilot light to go out?
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Master Plvmber
Citizen
Username: Master_plvmber
Post Number: 167
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 4:54 am: | |
A bad thermocouple (pilot flame sensor), a downdraft, a drop of condensation, low gas pressure...stuff lke that.
Just change the thermocouple. That's the problem 80% of the time.
Master_Plvmber
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jgberkeley
Supporter
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 3407
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 6:08 pm: | |
I would follow the directions and try re-lighting it first. If you see come crud on the bulb or part that sits in the flame, scrape it off lightly.
I'd bet this will work as often as replacing the unit.
If it won't re-light, or goes out again, then time for a service call.
Just my opinion.
Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the Titanic. |
jrbell
Citizen
Username: Jrbell
Post Number: 36
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 19, 2004 - 7:21 pm: | |
Master Plumber-- My pilot light it also going out and we have replaced the thermocouple. It seems only to go out when it gets really cold... like below 18. Anything else you recommend? |
Master Plvmber
Citizen
Username: Master_plvmber
Post Number: 170
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 19, 2004 - 7:52 pm: | |
You may have condensation forming on your heat exchanger. Does the boiler heat the home well? Even at below 18? Is this a steam or hot water boiler?
Master_Plvmber
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jrbell
Citizen
Username: Jrbell
Post Number: 37
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 19, 2004 - 8:46 pm: | |
It's forced hot air... we've only been in the house since the end of December... our old apt had radiator heat and we just opened a window when we wanted to cool off, so I don't feel like I have a great frame of reference for heating performance.
Having said that, I'm often cold in the house, esp. when the temp gets too low. I usually keep the thermostat set around 68-69 while we're in the house. The third floor is pretty cold.
The furnace is original to the house (1938), so I'm pretty sure I'll have to replace it soon, but I'm hoping I can wait until the summer so that I don't have to pay a winter premium for the new one. Any ideas? |
Maplewoody
Citizen
Username: Maplewoody
Post Number: 432
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 19, 2004 - 9:25 pm: | |
Just had the PSEG guy out tonight, yes he was here at 7 PM... He replaced the do-hickey that goes to the pilot, and replaced the glass tube where we see the water level when filling the boiler. Thank God we have the PSEG protection coverage...
We were able to re-light it ourselves the other night too. Thanks again MstrPlmbr! |
Master Plvmber
Citizen
Username: Master_plvmber
Post Number: 171
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Monday, January 19, 2004 - 9:36 pm: | |
Jrbell, do you have a service contract with an HVAC company? If so, ask them if they think you have adequate makeup air.
Sometimes when you don't, the combustion of gasses of the main burner will extinguish the pilot. Often, this is characterized by flame roll-out. The fire will sway toward you when it first ignites.
Master_Plvmber
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jrbell
Citizen
Username: Jrbell
Post Number: 38
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 5:28 pm: | |
We do have the flame that shoots out when I relight the pilot. Is there anything more specific I can tell the technician (I have a service call scheduled for Friday)? My service contract is with Meyer & Depew... $400 per year. This is left over from the previous owner, so I haven't renewed yet... due for renewal in February.
Many thanks for the wisdom. |
Richard O'Connor
Citizen
Username: Roconn
Post Number: 122
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 21, 2004 - 8:21 am: | |
jr....call the service people ... and since I don't think most good servicers are actually going to charge a premium to replace a furnace in the winter, you might consider planning to have it done in February when the current plan expires. Again, you have some time to get estimates so you can guage if you feel like you're getting 'taken'. I am sure if you post here there will be a number of folx who can give you an idea of what they paid for new furnaces.
Richard (ROC)
--Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the Titanic.--
--AIM: ROConn |
Richard O'Connor
Citizen
Username: Roconn
Post Number: 123
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 21, 2004 - 8:22 am: | |
OH, and yeah...Since this is your heating plant ... this is not something to 'fool' around with or put off ... it is the single greatest source of potential CO poisoning.
Richard (ROC)
--Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the Titanic.--
--AIM: ROConn |
jrbell
Citizen
Username: Jrbell
Post Number: 42
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 23, 2004 - 1:36 pm: | |
Posted an update in another thread on the Tree Guys...
I've got the HVAC company coming out on Monday to give me a quote for a new system for the replacement... the furnace we have in now is rated at 220k btu output.... wow!
Also had Dave the Village Chimney Sweep out today and he discovered that the exhaust draft was completely blocked with pine needles (the offending trees were removed today). He cleaned the flus and so far, things look like they're running well... no problem with the pilot light. |
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