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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

kerosene heater won't light

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Doug

02-10-2004 08:59:56




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I have a Remington 55 torpedo style heater that recently quit working. When I plug it in the blower starts but the thing doesn't light. I noticed lately that it took longer and longer to light but now doesnt't at all. It has its own (breaker I guess) which kicks off about 20 seconds after you try to start it if it doesn't light. Is it safe to assume that the problem is with the ignitor? I can get a replacement for about $72 plus shipping but I hate to do that and find that's not the problem. Sorry to be so long winded with such a short question.

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keno

02-12-2004 18:49:36




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 Re: kerosene heater won't light in reply to Doug, 02-10-2004 08:59:56  
If you have two adjustment screws on the back?
The one on the left is a plug.Take it out
screw in a vacuume gauge.Turn the heater on adjust
the screw on the right until the pressure
(vacuum) reaches 3 lbs.If you have spark
(you should see it by looking through the
back end)It sould run. Good luck Keno



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Rusty Jones

02-12-2004 15:16:16




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 Re: kerosene heater won't light in reply to Doug, 02-10-2004 08:59:56  
I had the same problem with mine!

I tried: new fuel, cleaned the spark plug ignitor, cleaned the air filters, cleaned the jets in the fuel injector, (2 of them!) cleaned the electric eye, (down below the injector, in a round rubber plug, with wires from it.,. did all of that 3 times---nothing! installed new fuel lines (rubber) made sure the fuel cap hole was open, scratched my head until it was raw---NOTHING!! Except sore head! Then, i poured out some fuel into a coffee can, took it outside and tried to light it----NOTHING--wouldn't even burn with a piece of paper in it! So, it was up the hiway to a different place to buy fuel, put that in the heater and---VOILA!! It started and now it runs good. One point--don't mess with the two screws on the little black plastic cap at the back of the burner, if it has them. They're a bugger to get adjusted correctly! Rusty Jones

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ted

02-10-2004 17:42:58




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 Re: kerosene heater won't light in reply to Doug, 02-10-2004 08:59:56  
I think some of the newer ones have eyes in them that can get covered be soot from burning diesel. Give it a good cleaning. The vanes in the pump can be replaced if you can't build enough pressure.



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Chris Brown

02-10-2004 16:28:38




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 Re: kerosene heater won't light in reply to Doug, 02-10-2004 08:59:56  
I'm sorry but I don't know what the problem is. But I was wondering how long these heaters usually last? I bought a ready heater,the little one 40,000 btu I think.I have been running it every night for about a month and a half,getting up in the night to fuel it. I heat a kennel building with it.It burns 6-7 gallons of diesel from dark to daylight. I just wondered if they are a short lived thing or what. I have an oil fired furnace ordered and it should be here anytime. Thanks all

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Mac

02-10-2004 18:50:18




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 Re: Re: kerosene heater won't light in reply to Chris Brown, 02-10-2004 16:28:38  
I have seen a few that are pretty old. If you have to run one much, it may be more economical to get one of the inline thermostats. Probably 40 bucks.



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Ben in KY

02-10-2004 18:54:24




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 Re: Re: Re: kerosene heater won't light in reply to Mac, 02-10-2004 18:50:18  
Yes the inline thermostats are nice. Also on the reliability, if you burn Kerosene and not heating oil or diesel in them they seem to go for 2-3 winters before needing service. Some seem to run forever :)



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Mac

02-10-2004 11:48:58




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 Re: kerosene heater won't light in reply to Doug, 02-10-2004 08:59:56  
Check the fuel filter, then the plug, filter should be on the intake side in the tank. I had a reddy heater a few years ago, It quit like that. Come to find out the igniter was bad (This was a new electonic type) I replaced it with one of the old model originals igniters and its been working since. You can put a guage on the pump outlet also and see if you have proper pressure. On reddy's anyway there is an adjustment for that.

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Doug

02-10-2004 10:46:17




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 Re: kerosene heater won't light in reply to Doug, 02-10-2004 08:59:56  
It's spraying fuel okay judging by the diesel smell. Hadn't thought of spark plug. Probably cheaper to replace that first.



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Jay

02-10-2004 13:30:13




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 Re: Re: kerosene heater won't light in reply to Doug, 02-10-2004 10:46:17  
Not necessarily - it might be pumping ok, but it may not be spraying the right pattern. If it can't get the fuel to where the spark is, it won't light.



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ScottT

02-10-2004 10:09:15




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 Re: kerosene heater won't light in reply to Doug, 02-10-2004 08:59:56  
Check the condition of the spark plug as well. I replaced one on my Reddy Heater a few years ago because the electrode was worn. They are cheap.

Scott



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Hermit

02-10-2004 09:50:56




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 Re: kerosene heater won't light in reply to Doug, 02-10-2004 08:59:56  
Could be several things. Most of those heaters work by an electric motor running an air pump that uses the venturi principle to draw kerosene out of the tank and spray a mist toward a spark plug that is constantly sparking. The air filter to the pump could have gotten dirty causing not enough air pressure to draw the kerosene. Dirt could have built up in the pressure relief valve causing a decrease of air pressure. Pump could be worn causing less air pressure. Air line to venturi could have a small crack. Fuel line to venturi could be clogging up due to dirt in the tank. If it takes longer especially when it's colder, that tends to indicate an air pressure problem or fuel line problem. Sometimes, you can look through the intake and see the spark plug firing. There's also a safety device that shuts down the unit if it doesn't see a flame in the chamber. If it gets dirty, it can cause intermittent lighting. Lots of good stuff to look at. First thing I'd check is the air filter.

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Ben in KY

02-10-2004 09:33:47




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 Re: kerosene heater won't light in reply to Doug, 02-10-2004 08:59:56  
Does it appear to spray any kerosene ? I would think the problem is either not fuel in the combustion chamber or no spark(ignitor).



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