HVAC guys. Why is my furnace doing this??

[Sparky]

It will shoot flames out for a little then the pilot goes out completly. God I hate this place. Landlord sucks. Space heaters tonight.

http://youtu.be/CVY7SKO0AMc

[kidicarus13]

PM sent

[Great-Kazoo]

It will shoot flames out for a little then the pilot goes out completly. God I hate this place. Landlord sucks. Space heaters tonight.

http://youtu.be/CVY7SKO0AMc

Keep some windows open for ventilation.

[SideShow Bob]

Does this happen when you are attempting to light the pilot light ? If so , it could be a bad thermocouple. If the thermocouple has been replaced, you possibly have air or moisture in the gas line. Or even possibly a bad pilot jet.

[Sparky]

Does this happen when you are attempting to light the pilot light ? If so , it could be a bad thermocouple. If the thermocouple has been replaced, you possibly have air or moisture in the gas line. Or even possibly a bad pilot jet.

That furnace has not been serviced in years.

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

I can't give you any advice without pictures with some light to go with the video.

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

Needs good pics of the pilot assembly and the gas valve.

[SideShow Bob]

That furnace has not been serviced in years.

Thermocouple is a quick cheap attempt to fix it, $10 - $15, most all hardware stores including neighborhood Ace and True Value stores.

[Sparky]

http://i.imgur.com/y0jVK.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/chL7V.jpg?1

[SideShow Bob]

The thermocouple is that small copper tube going from the valve down to the pilot light, the pilot heats it.

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

Continue to Hold the pilot button down for approx 20-30 seconds after you light it. If it goes out after that make sure the thermocouple is snug 5/16" wrench, light run a wire brush over the pilot hood. If it doesn't fix it. Replace thermocouple. If that doesn't cure it, time for a gas valve.

Home Depot sell universal 24 or 36 inch tcouples for less than 15 bucks.

[jerrymrc]

But in lighting the pilot when you push down on the knob it overrides the thermocouple. You should be able to light the pilot with it in light. If after a min or so you release the knob to pilot and it does not stay lit then the sensor is bad.

The fact that it does not seem to light in the first place is suspect. I see someone beat me to it.

[Sparky]

Continue to Hold the pilot button down for approx 20-30 seconds after you light it. If it goes out after that make sure the thermocouple is snug 5/16" wrench, light run a wire brush over the pilot hood. If it doesn't fix it. Replace thermocouple. If that doesn't cure it, time for a gas valve.

Home Depot sell universal 24 or 36 inch tcouples for less than 15 bucks.

Ok I cleaned the pilot hood and the pilot light stays lite. Then I turned the thermostat up and it light up but it was like air was blowing in and the fire went iratic then went out. Now it will not start at all. The pilot is staying on though

[Sparky]

I am going to upload a new video showing fire blowing out the sides

[DSB OUTDOORS]

On my old furnace the gas tube would get cob webs in it and disrupt the flow of gas. Sounds like the thermocoupler is working though. If you have some canned air or a compressor try blowing out the whole mess, inside the gas tube, around the coupler, etc. Make sure the flame is out though.

[Sparky]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VMDKttAdQg&feature=g-upl

[SideShow Bob]

Turn that thing off and don't use it. Looks like you need a new furnace, or at least a heat exchanger.

[Sparky]

Turn that thing off and don't use it. Looks like you need a new furnace, or at least a heat exchanger.

Off now

[SideShow Bob]

Hey Sparky,
Check this site out. You may have some recourse if your landlord doesn't repair your furnace PRONTO !
http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/colorado-tenant-rights-withhold-rent.html

Also be extra careful and vigilant using space heaters with smaller children around.

[ray1970]

This may seem silly, but what does the filter look like? Is it really dirty?

[Sparky]

This may seem silly, but what does the filter look like? Is it really dirty?

It was. New now

[DSB OUTDOORS]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VMDKttAdQg&feature=g-upl

Hey sparky, it looks like in this video you do have cob webs in there. Does it look dusty, dirty. and spider webs? That can cause flames to go in different directions, flame outs, bursts etc. Can you blow out the furnace?

[ray1970]

I know mine will do almost the exact same thing when the filter gets too dirty. That's how I know it's time to change it. [Coffee]

[ray1970]

Oh, and about once every couple of years I have to pull out the flame sensor (thermocouple?) and use some red scotch brite to clean the white ash build up off of it.

[DSB OUTDOORS]

I know mine will do almost the exact same thing when the filter gets too dirty. That's how I know it's time to change it. [Coffee]
Ya, I had to change the filter often also. But when I had my last house, and my camper heater, those damn pesky spiders would get in and foul up the works with webs, and dust would collect on the webs. Little bastards!! [facepalm]

[Sparky]

I think tomorrow I will go to town cleaning it. Then we will see. I got some decent heaters that I can use tonight. The kind that turn off if tipped over.

[DSB OUTDOORS]

I think tomorrow I will go to town cleaning it. Then we will see. I got some decent heaters that I can use tonight. The kind that turn off if tipped over.

Just make sure to leave a window open as well. That's the #1 killer if there not indoor approved. Please!!!! [Beer]

[Sparky]

Just make sure to leave a window open as well. That's the #1 killer if there not indoor approved. Please!!!! [Beer]

Electric

[ray1970]

This thread actually brought back some fond, childhood memories for me. I grew up in a house where all we had was a fan forced, natural gas space heater. I remember coming inside on a cold day and standing in front of it to warm up. It was a 2000 square foot "ranch" home and you'd be surprised just how warm this one heater kept it.

http://www.energyvanguard.com/Portals/88935/images/unvented-natural-gas-space-heater-water-vapor-combustion-safety.jpg

[DSB OUTDOORS]

Electric
Cool! Or in this case, Hot!

[DSB OUTDOORS]

This thread actually brought back some fond, childhood memories for me. I grew up in a house where all we had was a fan forced, natural gas space heater. I remember coming inside on a cold day and standing in front of it to warm up. It was a 2000 square foot "ranch" home and you'd be surprised just how warm this one heater kept it.

http://www.energyvanguard.com/Portals/88935/images/unvented-natural-gas-space-heater-water-vapor-combustion-safety.jpg
I have an upgraded one of those for my backup heater. I love those things! [Tooth]

[Sparky]

This thread actually brought back some fond, childhood memories for me. I grew up in a house where all we had was a fan forced, natural gas space heater. I remember coming inside on a cold day and standing in front of it to warm up. It was a 2000 square foot "ranch" home and you'd be surprised just how warm this one heater kept it.

http://www.energyvanguard.com/Portals/88935/images/unvented-natural-gas-space-heater-water-vapor-combustion-safety.jpg

Yeah we had 2 of those in one house growing up. Same thing come in from the cold and huddle around it.

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

Yeah that heat exchanger and or the burners are plugged. DO NOT run it. Plugged = soot = carbon monoxide. With it being your rental I wouldn't dick with it. I would leave it to the land lords. Document document document. They(landlords) should've provided you with co detector per Megan's law, if you don't have one buy at least one with a digital read out. That exchanger and burners should be cleaned professionally. I recommend duct works, monster vac etc. I'd bet $5 after they clean the heat exchanger there's a crack. Cracked heat exchanger means new furnace. Pm me if you want my contact info for advice.

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

If you wanna get their attention call xcel energys gas emergency response line and tell em you smell gas. Once the guy gets there and sees that they will red tag that furnace in a heart beat.

[Irving]

Might consider sleeping in a tent to stay warmer tonight if you have one.

[bryjcom]

Looks like the heat exchanger is plugged up. Burner needs to be pulled and cleaned along with the heat exchanger. Landlord needs to get an HVAC there ASAP! You CAN NOT RUN IT LIKE THAT!!!!!

[rondog]

If you wanna get their attention call xcel energys gas emergency response line and tell em you smell gas. Once the guy gets there and sees that they will red tag that furnace in a heart beat.

I like this one! Get some heat on the landlord from up above, a "fix it NOW or face the wrath" threat may urge him along.

[Ah Pook]

This thread actually brought back some fond, childhood memories for me. I grew up in a house where all we had was a fan forced, natural gas space heater. I remember coming inside on a cold day and standing in front of it to warm up. It was a 2000 square foot "ranch" home and you'd be surprised just how warm this one heater kept it.

http://www.energyvanguard.com/Portals/88935/images/unvented-natural-gas-space-heater-water-vapor-combustion-safety.jpg
My Grandfather had these heaters. Ahh the memories. Wish I could find a couple today.

[rondog]

Check out Goodwill and Salvation Army thrift stores. I scored a pair of electric space heaters that were like brand new, for $5.50 apiece. These things sell for like $50 each in stores. I use the hell out of them.