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Chimney/Pilot Issue

Rizz861
Rizz861 Member Posts: 64
in Gas Heating

So I just replaced a gas valve on a standing pilot burner and the thermocouple (came with valve). Pilot tube was clear and flame adjusted. There is makeup air (adequate for boiler) in room.

Gas valve was diagnosed by testing with a meter. You also couldn’t even let go of pilot button what so ever without pilot going out when it was lit.

I Noticed the burner area was dirty and said he should have this thing serviced, but he declined.

The last week since repair he said the pilot has gone out a couple times. It had been very windy. I’m thinking he’s got a chimney issue, or it was just too windy (it was ridiculously windy). If pilot tube is clear, valve and thermocouple replaced, and correct makeup air is in room, what else could be doing this?

Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 26,003

    You may well have a chimney issue. Best way to check is to find a good chimney sweep — they do exist — to check the whole thing.

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 2,157

    That and check the barometric damper (if it has one)

    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 12,704

    who replaced the valve? was there a tech that understands combustion involved to set up the new valve? Did you check the pressures and how the pilot flame related to the thermocouple before replacing the valve?

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 12,704

    You are holding the reset button long enough for the pilot to heat the thermocouple, right, 30 seconds to a minute?

  • Rizz861
    Rizz861 Member Posts: 64

    @mattmia2 I replaced it. I always break out the manometer and combustion analyzer after. Everything checked out.

    It appears it was an intermittent issues caused by high winds and downdraft. It went out after we had some unusually windy days.

    The chimney itself is code compliant. 3' above the roof, and 2' higher than adjacent roofline within 10'. They have a new chimney liner, so I believe this case is closed. High winds. Also, no barometric damper.

    Thanks for all the help!!

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