is an old hang down heater safe?

[imperialman]

I'm looking for some advice about my garage heater.
It is a natural gas Janitrol hang down heater that heats my 24x30 garage with 8ft ceilings very well. I don't know the age of the heater ,other than it is probably old as it has a pilot light. My question is that though I have no complaints about the heater ,should I be concerned about the safety of it?
I have a co2 detector mounted on the wall by the heater but the detector has
never gone off. The garage is heated occasionally in the winter. With talk of cracked heat exchangers on another thread is this a given on an old heater? Is this something that I could look for?
I have never felt the need to replace the heater ,because of its occasional use ,but I want to be safe too.
Opinions?
Thanks!

 

[pseudorealityx]

First off, a C02 sensor isn't going to do you much good. You'd want a CO sensor. Carbon MONOXIDE is the bad stuff.

 

[knipdm01]

get a couple CO dectectors use it. it you get an alarm throw it out. the pilot light itself wont creat much or any CO to matter. though.

 

[imperialman]

My bad
I meant Carbon monoxide detector.

 

[Motorhead Extraordinaire]

You only have three choice with that old heater.

1) Throw it out and buy a new one. When I redid my shop a few years ago I got rid of my old flame-pilot Janitrol and bought a large electric-start Modine Hot Dawg. It was not all that expensive, maybe in the $600 or so range. It works real good.

2) Hire a heating expert to inspect and service your existing unit. It will probably cost you $50 plus. If it is more than $150-$200, go to 1) above. If he says it is okay, and fairly priced to tune up, then use it.

3) Stop using it until you do either 1) or 2) above. Don't risk something like a questionable heater especially if the garage is attached to your house.

No matter what you do, install Fire, Smoke, and Carbon Monoxide detection.

Good luck,
Joe Germann

 

[Todd.Brock]

Dont forget a good fire extinguisher too! My old neighbor was a fire inspector and got real preachy about working in the garage with flames, welders, paint, etc until he saw the fire extinguiser on the wall. The one time I set the back end of a VW on fire, it came in real handy!