Oven won't heat

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Kent Keller - 23 Jan 2005 00:28 GMT

Hi all

I have a Atwood oven that has quit working on me. The pilot works fine,
and when you turn it up, the pilot gets bigger, but there is no gas
coming out the main tube.

I went to the local RV place and they said it would be the valve and
temp probe down at the pilot. $100 later, and a hour or so with my head
in the oven, I had a new one installed, but much to my frustration, it
acts exactly the same.

What else could it be? Do those go bad that often? Does it seem
reasonable that I could have gotten a defective one?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Signature

Kent Keller

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Tom J - 23 Jan 2005 00:58 GMT

> Hi all
>
> I have a Atwood oven that has quit working on me. The pilot works fine,
> and when you turn it up, the pilot gets bigger, but there is no gas coming
> out the main tube.

There can be a larger pilot light when you turn on the main burner and still
not heat the thermocouple hot enough to turn on the main burner. Make sure
the flame is heating the tip of the thermocouple red hot, if not adjust the
flame to a higher output. This will apply to most models, but don't say it's
your problem for sure.

Tom J

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Kent Keller - 23 Jan 2005 01:27 GMT

Hi Tom Thanks for the reply

Maybe there is something missing on mine, because I don't see any way
possible the thermocouple is going to get that hot. The Thermocouple is
located under the pilot. It looks like it is possible that there used
to be some sort of hood over the pilot that would direct the flame down
to the tip of the thermocouple, but I am not sure. Unfortunately I
ended up with a very tiny leak at the fitting going to the pilot so I am
going to have to get a new fitting before I can test any more.
I have been unable to find any kind of picture or diagram of the pilot
and thermocouple searching the web. Has anyone run across such a
thing?

Thanks again.

Signature

Kent Keller

> Make sure the flame is heating the tip of the thermocouple red hot, if
> not adjust the flame to a higher output. This will apply to most
> models, but don't say it's your problem for sure.
>
> Tom J

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R.J.(Bob) Evans - 30 Jan 2005 00:47 GMT

>Hi Tom Thanks for the reply
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>to be some sort of hood over the pilot that would direct the flame down
>to the tip of the thermocouple, but I am not sure. Unfortunately I

We had one that worked that way. The flame came out above the
thermocouple, hit a deflector hood and was directed down onto the
thermocouple.

R.J.(Bob) Evans
(return address needs alteration to work)

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RichA - 23 Jan 2005 04:45 GMT

>Hi all
>
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
>Thanks for any suggestions.

Hi,
The temp problem has to be directly in the pilot light flame when the
flame is large. When in pilot light mode the flame is small when you
turn the temp control up the flame gets bigger. When it gets hot
enough with the bigger flame it opens the safety valve and allows gas
to flow to the oven burner.

There is a video explaining the operation of the Atwood ovens.
http://www.atwoodmobile.com/Service/Trouble/cookingvid.cfm

I recommend you get Bob Livingstons RV Repair and Maintenance
Manual. It has a lot of good information in it.

Hope this Helps. Take care and Happy Campin...

RichA
"We Get Too Soon Olde and Too Late Smart"

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RichA - 23 Jan 2005 05:11 GMT

>Hi,
> The temp problem has to be directly in the pilot light flame when the
>flame is large.

Change that temp problem to temp probe :)

Take Care and Happy Campin...

RichA
"We Get Too Soon Olde and Too Late Smart"

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Kent Keller - 24 Jan 2005 02:24 GMT

It appears I either don't have enough pressure or I have a leak in the
system. but I really doubt I have a leak since I have left the tanks
open for long periods of time without them becoming empty.

Here is a picture of a high flame on mine
http://www.kwikmcad.com/temp/DCP01007.JPG

As you can see the flame isn't being directed down to the thermocouple
at all. I found a adjustment for the pilot up by the temp knob, but it
was already cranked all the way up. Anyone have any ideas or
suggestions before I have to give up and take it to a shop?

Signature

Kent Keller

>
>>Hi all
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>>and when you turn it up, the pilot gets bigger, but there is no gas
>>coming out the main tube.

> Hi,
> The temp problem has to be directly in the pilot light flame when the
> flame is large.

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RichA - 24 Jan 2005 09:15 GMT

>It appears I either don't have enough pressure or I have a leak in the
>system. but I really doubt I have a leak since I have left the tanks
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>was already cranked all the way up. Anyone have any ideas or
>suggestions before I have to give up and take it to a shop?

Hi,
Are you sure the pilot light tube is not upside down or the pilot
light cover out of position or the orifice plugged? You don't say if
the picture is of the flame in pilot mode or start mode. But it
doesn't look right for sure. It should be a blue base with just a bit
of yellow at the tip. You may have to adjust the pressure. Your top
burner flames should be the same when lit. Blue base with a bit of
yellow at the tip. You can check them. If they are all yellow you
may have a pressure problem. If they are ok then it's something in
the oven assembly itself. Blocked orifice or carbon build up maybe.
If not then the regulator for the stove may need to be adjusted or the
main regulator off of the tank may not be working properly.

Take care and Happy Campin...

RichA
"We Get Too Soon Olde and Too Late Smart"

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Kent Keller - 24 Jan 2005 15:17 GMT

Hi Rich
Positive it isn't upside down, and the orifice is brand new (old one was
exactly the same). I meant it was in start mode when I said it was a
high flame. I looked over the regulator at the tank and I don't see
any means of adjusting that. I hadn't looked at the one in the stove,
so I will take a look at that. I would have to double check, but I do
think the flames are too yellow on the top burners also.

Thanks again for the help.

Signature

Kent Keller

> Hi,
> Are you sure the pilot light tube is not upside down or the pilot
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> If not then the regulator for the stove may need to be adjusted or the
> main regulator off of the tank may not be working properly.

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RichA - 25 Jan 2005 13:29 GMT

>Hi Rich
>Positive it isn't upside down, and the orifice is brand new (old one was
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
>Thanks again for the help.

Hi,
You might want to try and turn down the pilot lite some too, just to
see if that helps. You said it was turned up all the way. I would
check the orifice and blow it out just to be sure. I think Atwood
recommends using a wooden toothpick, careful doing that though and
don't use anything metal for sure if you decide to try and clean it
with other then air.

If you are going to try and adjust the regulators you need a
manometer to get the right pressure settings. You might just want to
take it in and have the gas pressures checked at the supply to the
stove and after the stove regulator. Should be 11-13 before the stove
regulator and 10 after. Or you can build your own manometer. Just be
careful fooling around with the gas system. You sure don't want to
cause any leaks or get things set up wrong. <g> Make sure you check
for leaks after you get everything back together and up and running
too. Don't want to loose an RV'er..:)

Take care and Happy Campin...
RichA
"We Get Too Soon Olde and Too Late Smart"

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Chris Bryant - 24 Jan 2005 12:54 GMT

> Here is a picture of a high flame on mine
> http://www.kwikmcad.com/temp/DCP01007.JPG
>
> As you can see the flame isn't being directed down to the thermocouple at
> all.

The pilot orifice is dirty- remove the assembly and give it a good
cleaning and all should be well.

Signature

Chris Bryant
http://bryantrv.com

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Kent Keller - 24 Jan 2005 15:14 GMT

Thanks, but the first thing I did was replace the thermocouple and
valve, so it is a brand new orifice.

Signature

Kent Keller

>
>> Here is a picture of a high flame on mine
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> The pilot orifice is dirty- remove the assembly and give it a good
> cleaning and all should be well.

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Tom J - 24 Jan 2005 16:18 GMT

> Thanks, but the first thing I did was replace the thermocouple and valve,
> so it is a brand new orifice.

The problem has been found, flame not getting the thermocouple hot. As Chris
said, you have to clean the path that the flame takes to the thermocouple so
it does get hot. That flame looked large to me, so just reducing the flame
might decrease the up draft and let the polit light do it's job. With one
more try, it's time for you to get it to a service center. Gas kills & burns
thigs up!!

Tom J

>>> Here is a picture of a high flame on mine
>>> http://www.kwikmcad.com/temp/DCP01007.JPG
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>> The pilot orifice is dirty- remove the assembly and give it a good
>> cleaning and all should be well.

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