another Pilot light question...help


  #1  
Old 02-03-04, 08:35 AM
timwash
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another Pilot light question...help

I have a 13 year old trane furnace. It has a standing pilot light with an added spark generator (that works some of the time)

My problem: The heater works fine through the day...pilot light stays lit, etc. but about every other night the pilot will go out and will not re- light itself. we wake to a cold home quite frequently.

I have replaced the thermocouple, and cleaned the pilot light.

Why does it seem to happen only at night????

Help...I'm leaving town and don't feel comfortable about the heater situation.

All of you have helped with a problem before...and I would appreciate any input you have.

Thank you,

Tim
 
  #2  
Old 02-03-04, 09:40 AM
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What kind of gas are you on? How cold is it getting at night when it goes out?

If your regulator is outside and it's getting cold enough your gas pressure could be dropping.

Other than that the gas valve could be going south for the winter and just be coincidense that it happens at night.
 
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Old 02-03-04, 09:43 AM
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Another thing could be going wrong is when it's cold out, you maybe getting down draft from the cold outside air.

This may happen if you have set-back on, and your water heater isn't running, the flue will get cold, and cause downdraft. is the chimmey near the peek of the roof?
 
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Old 02-03-04, 12:25 PM
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pilot light

Also check if the flame is impringing on the thermocouple enough. Is the very end of the T/C getting a very dull red?
 
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Old 02-03-04, 04:55 PM
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many of those trane units have 2 wires going to the base of where the thermocouple hooks to the valve. this circuit must be closed or pilot will go out.
 
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Old 02-03-04, 05:42 PM
timwash
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I'm on natural gas with the meter outside. The vent is midway up the roof...and I've had a professional look when he did service before and he said the vent cap is one of the best.

If it were a downdraft issue...wouldn't happen during the day also?

Lately the nightly temps have been in the upper teens and the highs in the high 20's.

Checked the thermocouple...placement and color are fine.

I didn't understand the reply concerning the effects of the hot water heater...

Thank you for all the sound advice.

Tim
 
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Old 02-03-04, 08:41 PM
pagerboy
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Gas valve maybe going south.
 
  #8  
Old 02-04-04, 01:49 AM
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Pilot Valve

Bit unusal for the gas valve to be going more like a climatic thing if it's only happening at night.
If the valve is going south I'll keep an eye out for if comes down this far.
Try turning the pilot adjustment up a bit to see if a larger flame on the probe makes any difference.
 
 

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