Ask Me Help Desk - Pilot gas leak

Pilot gas leak

I have a lochinvar radiant floor furnace that has an electric pilot light. When the pilot and furnace is off, the pilot sill has a little gas leaking out.

I could smell the gas and had several people look for it without success... they all tried soapy water on the joints. I finally tested the leak by lighting the pilot by hand when the system was off, and noticed it would stay lit for 5-10 seconds then burn out. I'd wait a second or two and lite it again and this repeats...

So my question is, can I adjust something to fix this, or is the gas valve leaking, or do I need to provide more info??

Thanks

The gas valve is leaking through & needs to be replaced.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grady White

The gas valve is leaking thru & needs to be replaced.

Was afraid of that... I did forget to mention that the gas valve has been converted from NG to LP... think it had anything to do with it?

Quote:

the gas valve has been converted from NG to LP... think it had anything to do with it?

If that is a recent change it could very well be the problem. There is a substantial difference in pressures between NG and LP.

Who made the change?

Guessing it's original as the system is around 15 years old and has always been on LP and the part looks pretty original too. I just noticed a sticker on the part that says it's been converted, as opposed to an original LP valve (if that's possible). House is about 7 months new to me... noticed the LP smell recently but it could have been leaking for longer.

My suggestion would be to simply replace the water heater. You could replace the gas valve but that will probably cost you 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of replacing the heater. Your present heater is well beyond its expected life span.

Longest I have ever had a gas water heater last was about 22 years. It was working fine until I move to do other repairs. When it was reinstalled the burner wouldn't come on. I considered replacing the valve until I realized how old it was. Had I replaced the valve, the next day it probably would have started leaking.

I would not recommend that you replace the valve yourself, simply too much risk. Get a licensed plumber. I do a lot of things in the form of repairs but I do not mess with gas. Too much risk.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hkstroud

My suggestion would be to simply replace the water heater. You could replace the gas valve but that will probably cost you 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of replacing the heater. Your present heater is well beyond its expected life span.

Longest I have ever had a gas water heater last was about 22 years. It was working fine until I move to do other repairs. When it was reinstalled the burner wouldn't come on. I considered replacing the valve until I realized how old it was. Had I replaced the valve, the next day it probably would have started leaking.

I would not recommend that you replace the valve yourself, simply too much risk. Get a licensed plumber. I do a lot of things in the form of repairs but I do not mess with gas. Too much risk.

Thanks for the advice... definitely will consider replacing, but the cost is pretty high. To replace the current system is around $4K... Might be less expensive brands out there, but that's what this one costs. I don't think others are that much less either. A valve is much less than that... around $500... Maybe less, didn't shop around yet. Your percentages are close, but when put into dollars it's a big difference.

On the other hand a new system is going to be a bit more efficient, costing me less to operate.

I'm not intimidated by working on gas. Done it many times. Like anything else if you take the necessary precautions it's safe. I do however have limited time, so calling someone in is most likely what I'll do.

BTW... Just because someone is licensed doesn't mean they should be anywhere near your project... Learned this the hard way a few times. :)

hkstroud,
We are not talking about a water heater for domestic use. This piece of equipment is a boiler for heating the house. I have to presume it is closed loop & therefore not subject to the degradation caused by a constant inflow of fresh water.

achap,
Nearly all gas valves on boilers & furnaces come setup for natural gas. One normally only has to change a spring & adjust the pressure to convert to LP. The conversion kit usually comes with the valve.

Quote:

We are not talking about a water heater for domestic use

Thanks Grady, Sorry, I missed that, have to learn to reread before I post.

Achap,
Sorry didn't mean to throw confusion into the game.

Quote:

BTW... Just because someone is licensed doesn't mean they should be anywhere near your project... Learned this the hard way a few times.

Understand what you are saying, I'll do my own but I won't (and shouldn't) do it for anyone else. I just declined replacing a thermocouple in a gas log fireplace because I would have had to break the a gas line connection. Thermocouple was behind a shield that was attached with two screws from the bottom. Only way to take them out was to take out the logs. A plumber charged the customer for telling her she should just replace the entire fire place, not just the logs, the entire fireplace. For reasons unknown she had a spare set of logs but all that was needed was a thermocouple. He didn't do a thing for her but take her money but he had the license.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hkstroud

Thanks Grady, Sorry, I missed that, have to learn to reread before I post.

Achap,
Sorry didn't mean to throw confusion into the game.

Understand what you are saying, I'll do my own but I won't (and shouldn't) do it for anyone else. I just declined replacing a thermocouple in a gas log fireplace because I would have had to break the a gas line connection. Thermocouple was behind a shield that was attached with two screws from the e bottom. Only way to take them out was to take out the logs. A plumber charged the customer for telling her she should just replace the entire fire place, not just the logs, the entire fireplace. For reasons unknown she had a spare set of logs but all that was needed was a thermocouple. Didn't do a thing for but take her money.

Yeah... sorry... closed system boiler for the floors in the house.

I've also learned my lesson doing work for others... no good deed go unpunished!

Plumber is coming by tomorrow to take a look... I figure he'll just want to replace the valve... we'll see.

hkstroud,
Wish I could say I hadn't made the same type of mistake. Don't know 'bout you, ;) but I'm human & make mistakes.