Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - intermittent heat

I have a York Diamond 80 furnace, around 5 years old. It is set on a timer. The last few days when I've come home the furmace is on and the fan running but there is no heat (no flame) There are two access doors on the furnace, the top is where the igniter and burner is, the bottom the fan motor. I noticed there is a safety switch on the bottom panel. I manually shut off power to the furnace, then switched it on. The system starts, the glow plug heats up and the gas ignites...but only stays lit for a few seconds. After several tries it finally runs. I've come home to a cold house, 15 degrees the past couple of days. The furnace was inspected 6 months ago (on purchase) It appears clean, filters have been changed twice. Any idea why this is happening?

thanks

John

Sounds like the ignitor is not sensing the flame anymore, and needs to be replaced.

Go to a dealer and get a new Ignitor (HSI), or can get one from a wholesaler.

thanks for the reply Jay....the ignitor does work, it glows for about 30 seconds....it is a dusty area (beside my wood working shop)...do you think the flame sensor probe is dirty and just needs a cleaning?

if you have a probe that is sensing the flame (Not the unit that glows) then it may needs to be cleaned. Carefully brush the sensor clean, and give it a try..

I did, and thoroughly cleaned everything else, seems to have worked, for now, thanks for all your help!

Glad to see it's working for you.

Do you have some type of filter system in the basement in your workshop?

If you don't have one, I see a guy take a box fan, and put a 20x20x1 filter, and put it on the back side of the fan.. Get the good pleted filters.

Turn the fan on while your working and it'll keep the dust down for cheap.

...well the cleaning didn't work....I bought a new igniter and it seems to be doing the job....will look into the exhaust fan, it's a good idea, but I have 6 foot snow drifts today, I live in a snow belt...Barrie Ontario.....again, thanks for the help, much appreciated!

well the problem continues...guess i bring in a Pro

:( Sorry to hear it didn't work out for you.


Guess you'll have to bring in someone to take care of it. When was the last time you had it serviced/clean? It maybe due for one.

bought the place last summer, last serviced in '97, so she's due