When the gas fireplace pilot light goes out, make sure that your pilot head is screwed or clipped to the burner pan. This can be an indication that your fireplace thermocouple is either bad or worn out. If this still doesn’t solve your problem, you may want to consult a professional. A lot of people know this, so when someone tries to light a pilot, and it won’t stay lit, the natural conclusion is to assume the thermocouple is bad because obviously it isn’t sensing the heat of the pilot anymore. Be the first to find out about discounts and special promotions! My gas fireplace had been working fine until today...when I went to turn the knob to light the pilot light, it lit; however, after I turned to knob counterclockwise like I always do to actually turn the fireplace on, it will not light. Fixing the Thermopile Hello, I have a Heatilator (about 10 years old but appears to be in good condition) with electronic ignition (no pilot) which will start sometimes and run for a few minutes, then shut down. The gas valve is usually the last option when troubleshooting why your gas fireplace won’t stay lit. A pilot flame is lit with a manual push button spark ignitor or a … However, if it continues and your gas fireplace still won’t stay on, it is always a good idea to have an experienced technician examine your fireplace. We recommend that you use experts when you detect that the gas valve is the problem. However, if you find that your gas fireplace or similar appliance has a pilot light that won’t stay on even after consistently being fixed or relit, one of these issues could be the reason. He tried replacing the thermocouple as he was having the issue with the original one. Once I light the fireplace, the fireplace will come on and run for about 5-10 minutes then shut off. Unlike cleaning the thermopile and the thermocouple, this is a task that should definitely be left to a professional. Thermopile Voltage Low: What it Means and How to Fix It? Q: My gas log fireplace worked just fine last winter, but I couldn't light the pilot light this winter. Another potential issue that can keep your gas fireplace from staying lit is that the thermopile may have gone bad. If the pilot light will not stay lit, it needs to be fixed ASAP to supply heat to your home and for safety reasons.There are numerous things that may make the pilot light on your furnace to not stay lit. The last time I used it my wife said that it smelled like gas and he pilot light turned off. If it doesn’t feel heat, it won’t let gas flow through the unit. But then, the pilot cuts out, cutting off the flow of gas to the logs. Standard gas log sets are fairly simple. Make sure you still have an orifice on your burner before you throw anything away or hook it back up. I replaced the thermocouple two days ago and it worked fine until tonight and now nothing will stay lit. So he wonders, is there a cheap, safe fix when a gas fireplace pilot light goes out? Drip Loop. There are simply no other moving parts that can go wrong with this setup. If the pilot light was lit, all of the metal parts of the fireplace will be extremely hot. Wait 30 seconds before you release the gas control knob. The pilot light was still lit, but the main burner was off. Usually, there will be a smaller screw inside. With the gas on, push in and hold the pilot valve while igniting the pilot light. It is a rare case to get a malfunctioning gas valve but we cannot completely rule out its possibility. If it's too close to the burner, you'll burn it out. On a cold winter night, you want to be able to flip on your gas fireplace and settle in with a good book. An operational pilot light in your furnace means safety from the possibility of a gas leak. Comes spring when I would like to use it to save on my fuel oil the pilot will not stay lit. One of our customers had a standard gas log set on his fireplace. The pilot should start as soon as the flame is close enough. Sometimes a pilot light goes out, so you do not need to worry when your gas fireplace shuts off and pilot goes out. The pilot light immediately goes out as soon as I begin to turn the knob. The flames normally appear for a few minutes. While this is an excellent safety feature, a faulty thermocouple may decide arbitrarily that your pilot light is off when you want it on, shutting down your pilot light … Be sure to check your instruction manual for more details on how to turn your pilot light back on. My gas fireplace had been working fine until today...when I went to turn the knob to light the pilot light, it lit; however, after I turned to knob counterclockwise like I always do to actually turn the fireplace on, it will not light. Type above and press Enter to search. So you may need to do some plumbing in order to get it right. Its purpose is to not allow the gas valve to open if the pilot light isn’t lit. I have a regency nat gas fireplace and it about 2 years old. A handy homeowner can certainly correct a gas fireplace that won’t stay on during those long, chilly nights. For common valves, you should unscrew the cap screw completely. You might find that you have an even bigger problem with your unit. wd 40 will work hair spray or shop air will work but rustbuster is best because it has a nice telescoping spout you can use to reach the pilot burner opening.You can get it at any hardware store for a cupla bucks.you never want to resize the pilot hole to make the flame bigger OOPS! A pilot flame is lit with a manual push button spark ignitor or a … Playing with gas can be extremely dangerous for you, your family, and your home. Once the pilot is lit, hold the pilot valve in for 60 seconds. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when dealing with a gas fireplace that won’t stay lit! Yesterday I got our gas fireplace insert started up for the first time this season. This has been a common concern for people who own a gas fireplaces. The whole assembly is usually replaced, and they usually come at the same price. The easiest way to tackle this home project is to abrade the rod with fine-grit sandpaper lightly. Lightly sand away the carbon deposit until it looks clean again. After years of use, your thermocouple may have a buildup of carbon deposit, which affects its ability to function. If the fireplace was burning for an extended period of time before the pilot light went out, then you need to wait much longer than one hour before touching the pieces on the fireplace or you could sustain a serious burn injury. Show Printable Version; 02-18-2007, 02:10 PM #1. kwoo12131969. This is a simple fix but does require professional help to adjust it properly. This seem to happen every year. D ... 2012. You should wait at least one hour before touching any parts of the fireplace. It is recommended to replace the whole pilot head instead of just the thermocouple. If the pilot light starts to flicker and looks like it may light but then simply burns out, the thermopile is usually the problem. However, if your pilot is lit but the gas fireplace isn’t, then there’s probably a problem with your thermopile. New models usually come with improved designs. Lighting Your Pilot. It worked fine last year but over the summer I turned off the gas and thus the pilot light. I have a Heat N Glo direct vent gas fireplace (not sure of exact model). When the gas fireplace pilot light goes out, make sure that your pilot head is screwed or clipped to the … We had to replace to blower motor and after putting the fire place back together now we are having this problem. I've got a gas fireplace insert in our fireplace. If you buy a newer appliance, you might not see the pilot light. I have a Majestic DVBR36 Direct Vent Fireplace about 2 years old with very low hours on it. The Fix: Pilot Light to Gas Fireplace Won’t Stay Lit So you’ve checked your pilot light and even reset it, but still, it wont stay lit. Three Upscale Electric Fireplaces...For Around $300! If this happens, be sure to check your pilot light again. This light is always lit. If the gas fireplace pilot light will not stay lit, troubleshooting common problems can … However, when you … Even though the pilot light lights easily and stays lit with the proper blue pointed flame, the fireplace will usually not light unless I rap the regulator (valve) with a screwdriver handle; then the fireplace will turn on and off several times, but, usually first thing in the morning, after it sits for awhile, it won't work again until I tap it again. When your gas fireplace won’t stay lit is may be because these holes are clogged with dirt. It's worked perfectly for 3 years but now the pilot light won't stay lit. My vent free gas fireplace pilot stays lite all winter long. Thread: Pilot Light Won't Stay Lit in Gas Fireplace. Press the ignition button repeatedly until the pilot lights. Sometimes it lights and stays lit for an extended amount of time. This is the simplest fix for when your gas fireplace won’t stay on. So you may need to do some plumbing in order to get it right. Next Post →. At this point, the pilot light should continue to burn. If the pilot light on your gas fireplace won’t stay lit, a very likely culprit is a component called a thermocouple. ← Previous Post Try to test your fireplace and see if the gas fireplace will stay on this time. I consistently have a lit pilot light, however, when the switch on the wall is turned on sometimes it … If the pilot light remains lit, but the gas fireplace doesn’t, it likely indicates an issue with your thermopile. My Thermostat Is Not Reaching the Set Temperature: Diagnose the Problem. Either issue will prevent the fireplace from remaining lit. Hold the gas control button down while you hold the end of a lighted match or lighter at the end of the pilot tube. 4. It can be a relaxing ritual just before bedtime or a great way to warm up the house first thing in the morning. It really can be as simple as checking your pilot light and turning it on. Another issue is that the pilot has gas coming out, but it won’t stay lit. If you turn the screw, slowly relieve pressure and make sure it's still threaded into the valve. A thermocouple is a safety device and is a component of the ignition system. It’s designed to determine whether the pilot light is lit and then subsequently signals the gas valve to open. The pilot light flame must hit the thermocouple correctly, or the voltage the thermocouple generates may not be enough to operate the main gas valve, while it is enough to keep the pilot light lit. My fireplace pilot light stays lit but main burner won't turn on. It is a good idea to try some of these DIY tips before you call a repairman to take a closer look. If the thermocouple fails to shut off the gas, all the gas flowing through the furnace could get into your home. If I leave the pilot on, the pilot is stable and stays lit indefinitely. Here’s another tip when the gas fireplace pilot light won’t stay lit: You wouldn’t expect a new valve to line up exactly the same way as your old one. Pilot light won't stay on? After all, messing with gas lines can be a dangerous business for someone who lacks technical expertise. Make sure you still have an orifice on your burner before you throw anything away or hook it back up. Michael Joseph has more than 20 years of hands-on experience as an avid home handyman and had 10 years in the construction industry, specifically in the field of HVAC. Be careful though, sometimes the screw has a spring behind it and will shoot out and you'll have a difficult time finding it. If you're still having issues that the gas fireplace will not stay lit, then the valve needs to be replaced. If you can determine that the igniter isn’t bad, it is more likely that you have a worn-out thermocouple. What to Do If the Ceiling Fan Stopped Working but the Light Still Works, How to Disconnect a Gas Stove the Easy Way. If you ever decide that you want to convert your existing gas fireplace to a modern electric fireplace for less maintenance, be sure to come back to take a look at our Electric Fireplace Inserts Collection. Submitted: 12 years ago. It's a safety mechanism that shuts the gas off should the pilot go out. If the pilot light was lit, all of the metal parts of the fireplace will be extremely hot. I have a new construction home with a gas fireplace (Copreci VCS-ECOMOD) that won't stay on when lit. However, you should still consider hiring a professional if you have any doubt in your mind about your own ability to correct the issues. Usually, you can find this light on older models of propane appliances. That valve should be a suitable replacement. Check the Thermocouple Your furnace's thermocouple, if it works normally, checks to see whether the pilot light is on or off. Take note that it’s the pilot head, not the thermocouple. This is another relatively small piece of your fireplace that converts heat to electricity, ultimately opening up the gas valve when you turn on the fireplace. These parts will eventually reach a point of breakdown and need to be replaced. The gas fireplace will not stay lit. The Noble Flame - Articles & Ideas on Stylish Heating, Color-Changing Fireplaces with Multicolor Flames. Pilot lights can be found on furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, ranges, ovens and other appliances. I'm looking for some input from an "experienced gas specialist!! My Honeywell Thermostat Says Wait: What to do Next? You checked your pilot light and reset it, but the fireplace still won’t run continuously. The pilot light in your gas furnace supplies heat to your home. This makes starting the fireplace quick and easy with minimum fuss. Many of the potential causes for this issue can be solved on your own without the help of a professional. During changing seasons the need for additional heat is not always predictable; leaving the pilot light on … First, let’s discuss how the pilot light works before getting into the top 10 reasons why the pilot light goes out. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Another common culprit is incorrect gas pressure. I used it maybe a dozen times. The thermocouple is a small metal sensor or rod that is situated directly in front of the pilot light. One thing you can try if the gas fireplace shuts off after a few minutes: there's a small screw on your valve that regulates the size of your pilot flame. That is why I flush the chamber from the pilot end with rust buster. With the pilot light continuously on flame is instantly available at the owner's convenience. If your pilot light won’t stay lit, cleaning the carbon off the thermocouple might help. If it determines that the pilot light is off, it shuts down the flow of gas. The burner is placed below the thermocouple and pilot. Homeowners who have issues with their fireplaces might be able to take on some of the repair work themselves. As the seasons pass, you may find that your gas pressure drops below where it needs to be. Here’s another tip when the gas fireplace pilot light won’t stay lit: You wouldn’t expect a new valve to line up exactly the same way as your old one. When this happens, the pilot also shuts off. You can turn that screw to make it bigger. Eleven Upscale Electric Fireplaces...For Under $500! Gas Fireplace Won't Stay Lit - Pilot Stays On. With any luck, you’ll be able to avoid the cost of bringing in a professional. Thermocouples detect pilot lights by sensing the heat they produce. 1. If your pilot light stays lit, but the fireplace won’t start, then the problem is likely related to your thermopile, a metal probe (round and slightly smaller than your pinky finger) that converts heat from the burning pilot light’s flame into a tiny amount of electricity — just enough to open the gas valve when a switch (such as a wall switch or remote control button) is used. As checking your pilot light is lit, all of the ignition system flush chamber! New construction home with a gas fireplace won’t stay on during those,. Solved on your own without the help of a gas fireplaces for and clear out any between! End with rust buster is a simple fix but does require professional help to adjust it properly two ago... 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