Gas and Oil Home Heating Furnaces - Furnace gas ignites only after two attempts - Why??
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KyrielLuna
10-19-05, 04:21 PM
I wrote earlier about my 4 yr GoodRite furnace having water damage, and not working. (The ignitor was turning orange, and the gas was being released, but was not lighting up.) It turned out to be a corrosion/calcium deposit problem, particularly in the burner area where the gas enters.
So... Part two question. The furnace does not ignite the gas on the first attempt. Ever. It always seems to have to try a second time before the gas "catches". What is going on? (Practically speaking, I just can't imagine that it's a good thing for the system to have to work so hard each time it wants to turn on.) I can understand that happening occasionally. Is there anything I can do to allow the gas to light the first time? :confused:
So... Part two question. The furnace does not ignite the gas on the first attempt. Ever. It always seems to have to try a second time before the gas "catches". What is going on? (Practically speaking, I just can't imagine that it's a good thing for the system to have to work so hard each time it wants to turn on.) I can understand that happening occasionally. Is there anything I can do to allow the gas to light the first time? :confused:
mattison
10-20-05, 04:43 AM
Were your burners removed out of the furnace and cleaned?
Water in a furnace is very bad and does a lot of funny things so I hope you are getting a pro to go through this furnace for you.
Water in a furnace is very bad and does a lot of funny things so I hope you are getting a pro to go through this furnace for you.
KyrielLuna
10-21-05, 06:44 PM
Yes, I had the guy who installed this furnace take a look at it. (He's installs furnaces in new subdivisions.) He removed the burner closest to the ignitor and replaced it... and nothing..
But upon closer inspection, he noticed the "screw" where the gas comes in was clogged. After he cleaned that.. it seemed fine, except of course for the two-time igniting problem.
Could it be that all the burners need to be cleaned out? He is coming back tomorrow to check it out, and I want to be as educated as possible.
P.S. :eek: Now the bigger problem seems to be constant cycling. The furnace runs for 5 minutes and then turns off, even if it has not reached temperature. Then it is silent for a bit and 2-5 minutes later, it turns on and starts cycling all over again.
I phoned the furnace guy and he wondered if it might be my thermostat (I have a mid range Honeywell that I've been told is "crap".) I don't believe it has a deadband to adjust. I don't know how to recognize it and nothing is labelled on the back.
But upon closer inspection, he noticed the "screw" where the gas comes in was clogged. After he cleaned that.. it seemed fine, except of course for the two-time igniting problem.
Could it be that all the burners need to be cleaned out? He is coming back tomorrow to check it out, and I want to be as educated as possible.
P.S. :eek: Now the bigger problem seems to be constant cycling. The furnace runs for 5 minutes and then turns off, even if it has not reached temperature. Then it is silent for a bit and 2-5 minutes later, it turns on and starts cycling all over again.
I phoned the furnace guy and he wondered if it might be my thermostat (I have a mid range Honeywell that I've been told is "crap".) I don't believe it has a deadband to adjust. I don't know how to recognize it and nothing is labelled on the back.
KyrielLuna
10-21-05, 06:46 PM
Well.. the back of the T-stat IS labelled.. just not with the words deadband.
Lots of screws to adjust depending if the furnace is oil or gas or high efficiency or not... That's all tho...
Lots of screws to adjust depending if the furnace is oil or gas or high efficiency or not... That's all tho...