Modine PA50 Pilot Won't Light

[trsulliv]

I have a PA50 LPG Modine heater in my garage and the pilot light won't light. The fan kicks on when I raise the thermostat but the pilot light won't light. I am using a torch to light it. What should I start looking at?

 

[rickairmedic]

TR look at the gas valve it should have 3 settings OFF,PILOT & ON . Turn the thermostat down as low as it will go and turn the dial on the gas valve to pilot there should be a button next to the dial usually its red or black ( Light your torch and get it near the pilot assembly ) then push down that button and it should light. Once its lit hold that button down for 1 minute after a minute release the button and turn the dial to ON and you should be all set .

Rick

 

[trsulliv]

Thanks. My heater gas valve does have 3 positions, but to light the pilot light, you turn the knob to pilot and then push it in to light it. No luck when I do that, it does not seem to be getting gas becuase I do not get a flame even for a short period of time. I have shut power off completely for 5-10 minutes, and shut the gas off and then re-tried lighting it - no luck. The tank was just refilled so I know I have propane.

 

[rickairmedic]

TR if you have a flexable gas line going to the unit take the end attatched to the heater loose ( not off just loosen it a bit . You have air in the line you need to bleed off once you smell propane ( keep your nose near the fitting you took loose ) tighten the fitting back up . After that wait 5 minutes for the propane to dissapate and then try to light the pilot again it may take a few seconds for it to light as there will still be air between the point you took the line loose and the pilot but it should light .


Rick

 

[trsulliv]

Great advice - I have heat agian.

 

[rickairmedic]

Good to hear TRS another happy customer .


Rick

 

[nissan_crawler]

Hmmm...does the air stay in the line even after long use? I have a space heater style, manual ignition, but you have to spark the damned thing 15-20 times to get flame, and if you let off to quickly, it dies out. You turn the dial to pilot, push down and hit the spark button at the same time. The pilot flame starts out pretty weak and takes 15-20 seconds to burn well before you can let off the gas dial, and turn it for flame.

I wonder if it's the same thing. Or it could be the fact it's old, and never been maintained...

It's not a big deal, just a small annoyance.

 

[rickairmedic]

Crawler similar deal only what is happening with you is the gas in the pilot tube runs out when you turn it off. You should hold the pilot down for 1 minute after it lights and wont have any problems at least until the thermocouple gives up the ghost and then well go through replacing the thermocouple .

Rick