Gas line is shut off but pilot light is burning...

[jweinberg]

y....

So why would the pilot light be lit if the gas line shut off valve is in the closed position?

Only thing I can think of is that the shut off valve is faulty and is not doing a proper job of shutting off the gas in the line.

I would be interested in other interpretations or explanations. Thanks!

Jeff

[Buck Hartley, CMI]

faulty valve, what the flex pipe throught the cabinet?

[jweinberg]

Originally Posted by bhartley

faulty valve, what the flex pipe throught the cabinet?

We live in earthquake country. flex pipe is used around here.

[Ted Allen]

Originally Posted by jweinberg

We live in earthquake country. flex pipe is used around here.

We use it here too, but it is not supposed to go thru the cabinet. It seems to me this would be more important in an earthquake prone area.

[Dale Duffy]

Originally Posted by jweinberg

y....

So why would the pilot light be lit if the gas line shut off valve is in the closed position?

Only thing I can think of is that the shut off valve is faulty and is not doing a proper job of shutting off the gas in the line.

I would be interested in other interpretations or explanations. Thanks!

Jeff

Jeff,

Can the valve handle possibly be removed and put back in the wrong position and the valve is actually still on, one would need to see it for certain, I cannot tell from the picture if the handle can be removed, some of them can....or the valve is shot.

Most likely the valve is shot I would think.

[Dale Duffy]

Does the appliance operate??????

[jweinberg]

Originally Posted by dduffy

Does the appliance operate??????

Hi Dale,

No....it does not operate. Burners never lit.

I thought about the valve handle being in the wrong position but looked closely at it and it didn't appear to be. Everything is old in this home (built in 1939) so I didn't dare touch the valve.

Gas furnace built in 1976 so I am recommending cleaning/servicing and further evaluation of the burner components and heat exchanger by a qualified HVAC technician.

[Dale Duffy]

[quote=jweinberg]I thought about the valve handle being in the wrong position but looked closely at it and it didn't appear to be. Everything is old in this home (built in 1939) so I didn't dare touch the valve.

Gas furnace built in 1976 so I am recommending cleaning/servicing and further evaluation of the burner components and heat exchanger by a qualified HVAC technician.[/quote]


Further evaluating....is a good choice of words......

If it was mine....it would be replaced......

I had a old home here we were flipping, the gas valve was an antique, the handle could be removed and put back either up down or sideways, thats why I asked.

When I was messing with the valve trying to turn it off, the pressure in the pipe from the valve to the furnace kept the pilot light lite for some time, until I figured out which way off was.

There were not any visible arrows on the valve so it was trial and error, funny you should ask about the thing still being lite...made me remember about that fiasco......

[jweinberg]

[QUOTE=dduffy]

Originally Posted by jweinberg

Gas furnace built in 1976 so I am recommending cleaning/servicing and further evaluation of the burner components and heat exchanger by a qualified HVAC technician.[/quote]


Further evaluating....is a good choice of words......

If it was mine....it would be replaced......

Yeah...my report will also mention the life expectancy of gas furnaces and then recommned budgeting for a replacement.

Weird how you see things in the field that you experience in your own life.

However, I'm still waiting to find another house with small gauge, single strand aluminum distribution wiring like I have in my home. I think I must be the only one in town. I plan on getting the Copalum Crimp remedy someday.

[Dale Duffy]

Originally Posted by jweinberg

I plan on getting the Copalum Crimp remedy someday.

I hear ya...there Jeff.

You need to find a friend who is an electrician......man that helps......

And a friend who is a HVAC tech.......

[Terrance D. Kelley]

The Remaining Gas In The Line After The Shutoff Will Feed The Pilot For A Substantial Amount Of Time

[jweinberg]

Originally Posted by tkelley

The Remaining Gas In The Line After The Shutoff Will Feed The Pilot For A Substantial Amount Of Time

How long is substantial?

Owner of the home says that he didn't turn off the valve (but he seemed to be a couple sandwiches short of a picnic). The last time PG&E came out was in December. But the owner said he had run the furnace in January.

I know...it just doesn't add up.

They must have a basement ghost who decided to turn off the gas valve.

[tneumann]

There are seals on those valves that go bad....when the seals go bad....liguid or gas can "weep" by....the seals can go bad for various reasons...I believe even a pin hole size leak would let the pilot stay lit....forever and ever amen.

[jweinberg]

Thanks to everyone. Seems like the consensus is a bad valve/seal.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by tallen

We use it here too, but it is not supposed to go thru the cabinet.

Same for me here in San Diego.