Smith's RV Centre

Problem

Possible Cause

Correction

Pilot outage

Poor pilot flame
Fluttering pilot flame
Weak thermocouple
Insufficient gas pressure

Weak gas-control magnet
Obstructed air intake
Improper air adjustment

Replace pilot orifice
Clean or replace orifice
Replace thermocouple
Adjust to 11 inches water-column
pressure
Replace control unit
Clean intake tube
Adjust air shutter

Pilot extinguishes itself when attempting to
light flame

Thermocouple needs more time
to heat
Loose thermocouple
Weak thermocouple
Weak gas-control magnet

Wait 30 seconds

Tighten connection
Replace thermocouple
Replace gas control 

No spark (direct ignition heaters)

Spark gap incorrect
Corroded terminals
Cracked insulators
Cracked wires
Overly long high-voltage wire
Dirt and dust on wires

Adjust gap
Clean terminals
Replaces electrodes
Replace lead wire
Shorten lead
Clean system

Flame will not establish (direct ignition)

Wrong spark-gap adjustment
Malfunctioning valve

Adjust spark gap
Replace valve

Early lockout

Reversed polarity

Poor ground
High gas pressure

Sensor probe

Reverse wires to power and
ground
Establish good ground
Lower to 11 inches water colomn
pressure
Adjust position in flame

Erratic burner flame

Blocked burner orifice
Misaligned main burner
Obstruction in burner
Improper air adjustment
Insufficient gas pressure
Poor gas supply

Clean orifice
Align burner tube
Remove obstruction
Adjust air shutter
Adjust gas pressure
Replace gas in tank

Yellow-coloured flame

Improper air mixture
Plugged burner orifice
Obstruction in tube
Wrong gas pressure

Obstructed heater grill
Misaligned burner jet

Adjust air shutter
Clean orifice
Clean burner tube
Adjust to 11 inches water-column
pressure
Clean grill
Align burner jet

Smoking and/or sooting

Improper air mixture
Misaligned main burner
Obstruction in main jet
Poor gas supply

Adjust air shutter
Align burner jet
Clear main burner jet
Replace gas supply

Main burner will not light

Blocked burner jet
Improper air adjustment
Defective gas control valve
Improper air setting
Obstruction in tube
Incorrect thermostat setting
Defective gas control

Clear burner jet
Adjust burner jet
Clear burner jet
Adjust air shutter
Clear obstruction
Set higher or lower
Replace valve

Relief valve leaks

Foriegn material in seat
Air in system
Defective valve

Flip valve handle to clear
Purge all air in system
Replace valve