Fireplaces, Heating Stoves, Flues and Chimneys - Another pilot light going out question

Hey all,

Each year I turn the gas off going to our unvented, natural gas fireplace and every winter I turn it on, light the pilot, and we're ready to go. It usually takes a few minutes to get the pilot lit (by that I mean, to stay lit), but it will always work. It did this year too until my wife pointed out one day that the pilot light was off.

I went to relight it, but the damn thing will not stay lit. I'll hold the pilot button down for 5 minutes, but when I release the pilot button and turn the knob to 'on' the pilot slowly goes out. It goes out so slowly that I can turn the knob to on, see the flame going out, then turn the knob back to pilot to keep the flame lit.

The fireplace has been working for years and was even working just a few days ago. I don't know of anything that has changed.

A side note here, when messing around with the fireplace I noticed a HUGE draft coming from around the firebox. My setup has what looks like vents around the outside of the box and the cold air is coming right in. Can I seal these vents off (they are the ones in front of the fireplace)?

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/2619/img0046nr9.th.jpg (http://img528.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0046nr9.jpg)

Thanks in advance.

Your pilot should be an Oxygen Depletion Sensor or ODS type. It works just like any other pilot except that placement of the parts is critical. The pilot and thermocouple work together. The thermocouple is the copper colored device that is placed in front of the flame. The thermocouple is designed so that its position can't be adjusted. You may notice that it has a flange that fits a groove on the mount. That being said, the pilot flame is set to produce a specific size flame that will JUST touch the tip of the thermocouple.

The thermocouple produces voltage when hot. This voltage will hold the safety valve open. The valve is what opens when you push in on the control knob. Again the thermocouple will only HOLD the valve open. Should the pilot flame go out or be small the safety valve will close. A small flame will result if there is reduced oxygen in the room and this is the ODS.

If the flame touches the thermocouple then there is a problem with it. Often, you can remove the other end, clean the connection and re-connect. If this fails to correct the problem you can measure the voltage on the threaded connector while heating the other end with a lighter. You should measure at least 30 millivolts. If the voltage is low then replace the thermocouple. I have seen them for sale at Lowes.

If the flame doesn't touch the thermocouple, turn off the gas and carefully blow or vacuum the area where the flame comes out. Often dust or cobb webs will block the flow and produce a small flame.

If all this fails you will need professional help or a new set of logs.

Thanks for the response.

I was able to confirm that the flame does just touch the thermocouple. I cleaned the tip of the thermocouple with a fine sandpaper and tried again, but I had the same problem. I'll call someone in.

Any suggestions about the draft coming in around my firebox?

Thanks for the response.

I was able to confirm that the flame does just touch the thermocouple. I cleaned the tip of the thermocouple with a fine sandpaper and tried again, but I had the same problem. I'll call someone in.

Any suggestions about the draft coming in around my firebox?

The tip doesn't get dirty to cause a problem. The other end is what can get dirty. Try removing the threaded end and clean there with a dry tooth brush. If that doesn't work you can replace the thermocouple for a few bucks. Beyond that, these things aren't worth repairing I just installed one for my mom for $400 with thermostat and romote.

The draft is something you will have to research. Your fire box may be intended for direct vent. I just can't tell without closer examination.

Not wanting to mess around with fire and gas I called a tech to come look at the unit. After two minutes he had me going again. He said a safety wire had come off and all he had to do was reconnect it. I don't know what wire he reconnected, but if you're having problems with your pilot light going out check your documentation for a safety wire before calling a tech.

I am not sure what "safety wire" your service tech is talking about, but you have other issues with this gas burner. Since this unit is several years old and has never been properly serviced, it is WAY overdue for a PROPER servicing.

If that dark area at the top of the inner firebox isn't just a shadow, you have sooting issues as well as carbon monoxide entering your living area.