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obron · Oct 5, 2008, 02:01 PM

I have a very old Commonwealth Co. 16,800 BTU wall heater. I can light the pilot while holding the red knob (pilot light position), but the pilot will go out as soon as I release it (after holding it over the required time) and try to move it to the on position. Does this have something to do with the thermacoupler! I can't find a re-set button. Does it have one!
Thank You,
obron

MarkwithaK · Oct 5, 2008, 02:24 PM

If it will not hold a pilot then replace the thermo couple.

mygirlsdad77 · Oct 5, 2008, 02:43 PM

Are you sure you have a thermocouple or may you have a powerpile. If you have a small copper tube coming into the gas valve, it's a thermocouple. If you have two wires coming from the pilot area, you have a powerpile.
It sounds like a powerpile to me. If you can light the pilot, and let go of the knob and it stays lit until you turn the valve to the on position, then your powerpile is weak. Needs to be replaced. Please let me know what you find. Hope this helps.

obron · Oct 22, 2008, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by mygirlsdad77

Are you sure you have a thermocouple or may you have a powerpile. If you have a small copper tube coming into the gas valve, its a thermocouple. If you have two wires coming from the pilot area, you have a powerpile.
It sounds like a powerpile to me. If you can light the pilot, and let go of the knob and it stays lit untill you turn the valve to the on position, then your powerpile is weak. Needs to be replaced. Please let me know what you find. Hope this helps.

Yes, it is a thermo pile. I have replaced it and I still cannot get the pilot to stay on. Someone of experience told me that I had a 5% percent change that the gas valve was bad. I am guessing that the gas valve is bad, then. Do you know where I can get one reasonalbly? I am thinking that I should probably replace the whole heater. It's over 40 years old.

MarkwithaK · Oct 22, 2008, 07:57 PM

If you are having thoughts of replacing the entire unit then no sese monkeyin about with replacing the valve.

mygirlsdad77 · Oct 23, 2008, 03:35 PM

Yes, time for updating if you can afford it. Your furnace has oulived its years. Good luck.

Lois Nelson · Nov 20, 2008, 01:58 PM

The pilot light on my oil furnace will not stay on it needs to be reset how do I do this

mygirlsdad77 · Nov 20, 2008, 05:00 PM

Not real handy with oil burners, but I have never seen one with a standing pilot. Look for any reset button on the injector, and push it.

wmproop · Nov 20, 2008, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by mygirlsdad77

not real handy with oil burners, but i have never seen one with a standing pilot., Look for any reset button on the injector, and push it.

But not to many times, could be dangerous if too much oil is injected and then it decides to ignite,, BOOM

mygirlsdad77 · Nov 20, 2008, 05:40 PM

Exactly right wmproop. I should have said I was referring to the reset button, not the primer...

The only thing I have done with old oil burners is hit the reset. I actually have no right even giving advice here. But I will stick around and hopefully learn a thing or two.

mygirlsdad77 · Nov 20, 2008, 05:43 PM

Lois, please start a new post and ask your question there. You will get more answers from folks that have more experience than I with oil burners. Good luck.

MarkwithaK · Nov 20, 2008, 06:38 PM

Dirty, oily nasty little buggers. Got a nice little shock testing the ignition transformer with a screw driver once... never again!