Dunkirk Ignition system

RianS

It sounds like you have a direct spark ignition system which uses the electrode/flame rod as the sensor. Is there 2 wires to the ignitor, 1 spark plug wire and 1 regular insulated wire? What brand and model is the ignition module?

Warren J. Mateychak

I have a 4 year old Dunkirk gas fired steam boiler with an intermittent ignition system. I've been having a problem with the ignition. Gas will always ignite on the first attempt but will frequently cutoff after ignition, then re-try after 5 minutes. It will sometimes do this 5 times before staying lit. After previous postings regarding this problem the consensus opinion was pointing to the flame sensor, which I've since learned is a component of the actual ignitor on my model. After trying the obvious stuff, cleaning etc., I paid for a service call. The problem wasn't replicated and the guys gave the boiler a clean bill of health. They don't want to start replacing parts until the system completely fails, at which point they feel it will be easier to troubleshoot. Has anybody gone through similar problems with these intermittent ignition systems? Where do I go next to insure that I won't come home to a boiler that won't light when it's 10 degrees outside?

Thanks

Warren

Warren J. Mateychak

I have a 4 year old Dunkirk gas fired steam boiler with an intermittent ignition system. I've been having a problem with the ignition. Gas will always ignite on the first attempt but will frequently cutoff after ignition, then re-try after 5 minutes. It will sometimes do this 5 times before staying lit. After previous postings regarding this problem the consensus opinion was pointing to the flame sensor, which I've since learned is a component of the actual ignitor on my model. After trying the obvious stuff, cleaning etc., I paid for a service call. The problem wasn't replicated and the guys gave the boiler a clean bill of health. They don't want to start replacing parts until the system completely fails, at which point they feel it will be easier to troubleshoot. Has anybody gone through similar problems with these intermittent ignition systems? Where do I go next to insure that I won't come home to a boiler that won't light when it's 10 degrees outside?

Thanks

Warren

Kniggit

we have found a few scorchaed air furnaces behaveing badly recently and there is a good chance that ignitor/sensor and possably the wire to it are going bad, another source of difficulty is the path of the tround through the pilot assmbly . the flame sensor puts a small electric current through the flame and pipe back to the control, if the sensor is dirty, it should be cleaned with a wire brush and not sand cloth, as this will damage the sensor by most accounts, and then you should check for a verry strong ground from the pilot assembly to the ground connection on the igintion control.

as far as the brand goes, they have used Honeywell or another brand that appears to be an almost direct knockoff of the honeywell.

bob young

go new

do yourself a huge favor & rip it out and replace with standing pilot & new gas valve

Warren J. Mateychak

Boiler is Dunkirk PSB4D, gas valve is Honeywell, electronic module is UT electronics. Spark ignitor has 2 wires connected, to the right ofthe far right burner. There is also something tack welded behind a removable panel with at least one wire going to it. This is deeper inside of the boiler jacket behind the burners.

Thanks

Warren

Empire_2

All you need to do

Is clean the pilot... You have a spark to pilot ignition system with a S8600f ignition module. This particular module only tries to spark in short 2 second bursts. I never liked them. The better replacement is an S8610U1003 which will give you continous spark to lite the pilot. But you have to clean the pilot orifice. I cant stress this enough. Also proper ground is important. Do you know if the service guy actually cleaned anything?