Raypak 266A flame roll out of burner

[Espanta]

Hi everyone

I appreciate you help here. I have a Raypak R266A which was working in the beginning of the season about a month ago. But I left it off for a few weeks and when I came back to start it, I saw a lot of live ear wigs inside the heater and when I started it, I see flame coming off of the burner. Looked up here and read all relevant questions and guidance but nothing worked for me so far.

I visually inspected and everything looks in order; opened side panels and no nest or spider web, ear wigs do not have any more a heavy presence.

When I close the gas pipe to almost half, the flame is under control and is not hitting the roll out switch and when it is full open, the flame rolls out largely and hits the switch.

I took a few shots for you from different sides.
Any thoughts?

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

I think @swamprat69 @1poolman1 will tell you that you need to clean out the burner orifices. The yellow flame is a tell.

RayPak Heaters - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Spiders like to nest in the gas burners and block the gas flow. That causes gas burners to burn yellow, when proper gas mixture flame is blue, or not light.

Use 14ga copper wire cut at a sharp angle and put a little hook to pull spider web out. On a Ray Pak the heater tray usually has to be pulled out to get to the orifices.

Disconnect it from the gas line and all the wiring to the valve, etc. Take pictures. After that the tray, has to be dis-assembled to access the orifices. There is a bar across the back of the tray that keeps the burners in place. Remove that and they will pull of the orifices. They will pop back into place with a little push. I've done so many its not hard, just tedious. If you do it, take your time and be sure to use some new pipe dope on the fittings to re-assemble. If not familiar with gas plumbing, do a lot of research. Lots of sheet metal screws that use a 5/16 nut driver. Put them all back.

This may not be the best DIY project. You will be dealing with an expensive appliance that can be dangerous if not done correctly.

When you get it cleaned, be sure to fire it for a couple of minutes at least once a month to keep the spiders out. They love heaters.

 

[swamprat69]

Problem appears to be on the far left hand burner. From what I can see in the manual, the pilot assembly is on the far right hand side. I believe that this is an atmospheric heater ( no fan/blower assist ). This heater is designed so that gas at the correct pressure leaves the gas manifold through the orifices and entrains the correct amount of air into the burners. The burners are designed with openings (slots) that allow the gas/air mixture to be lit above the burners to heat the heat exchanger and flow through to the exhaust. All parts involved need to be clean and free of obstructions ( orifices, inside of burners, burner slots and heat exchanger ). Do not restrict gas flow/pressure into the gas manifold ! I would guess that either a restriction in the orifice is effecting the path of the gas into the burner (off center), there may be a restriction inside of the burner tube or there may be a restriction of the burner slots causing the gas/air mixture to back up out of the burner tube. With a flame that is that yellow/wavey you are definitely creating carbon/soot in that area. You should have the orifice, inside of burner tube and burner slots cleaned. Also check heat exchanger above that area to be sure that the heat exchanger is not partially blocked with soot. At the same time I would advise to have all gas orifice/burner tray parts cleaned as well along with heat exchanger inspection. In HVAC service this would all be considered part of a normal "clean and check".

 

[Espanta]

Welcome to TFP.

I think @swamprat69 @1poolman1 will tell you that you need to clean out the burner orifices. The yellow flame is a tell.

RayPak Heaters - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Spiders like to nest in the gas burners and block the gas flow. That causes gas burners to burn yellow, when proper gas mixture flame is blue, or not light.

Use 14ga copper wire cut at a sharp angle and put a little hook to pull spider web out. On a Ray Pak the heater tray usually has to be pulled out to get to the orifices.

Disconnect it from the gas line and all the wiring to the valve, etc. Take pictures. After that the tray, has to be dis-assembled to access the orifices. There is a bar across the back of the tray that keeps the burners in place. Remove that and they will pull of the orifices. They will pop back into place with a little push. I've done so many its not hard, just tedious. If you do it, take your time and be sure to use some new pipe dope on the fittings to re-assemble. If not familiar with gas plumbing, do a lot of research. Lots of sheet metal screws that use a 5/16 nut driver. Put them all back.

This may not be the best DIY project. You will be dealing with an expensive appliance that can be dangerous if not done correctly.

When you get it cleaned, be sure to fire it for a couple of minutes at least once a month to keep the spiders out. They love heaters.

Thank you. I appreciate detailed explanation. Will give it a try and if it is not an easy diy project, probably I will call specialist.

 

[Espanta]

Problem appears to be on the far left hand burner. From what I can see in the manual, the pilot assembly is on the far right hand side. I believe that this is an atmospheric heater ( no fan/blower assist ). This heater is designed so that gas at the correct pressure leaves the gas manifold through the orifices and entrains the correct amount of air into the burners. The burners are designed with openings (slots) that allow the gas/air mixture to be lit above the burners to heat the heat exchanger and flow through to the exhaust. All parts involved need to be clean and free of obstructions ( orifices, inside of burners, burner slots and heat exchanger ). Do not restrict gas flow/pressure into the gas manifold ! I would guess that either a restriction in the orifice is effecting the path of the gas into the burner (off center), there may be a restriction inside of the burner tube or there may be a restriction of the burner slots causing the gas/air mixture to back up out of the burner tube. With a flame that is that yellow/wavey you are definitely creating carbon/soot in that area. You should have the orifice, inside of burner tube and burner slots cleaned. Also check heat exchanger above that area to be sure that the heat exchanger is not partially blocked with soot. At the same time I would advise to have all gas orifice/burner tray parts cleaned as well along with heat exchanger inspection. In HVAC service this would all be considered part of a normal "clean and check".

Thank you for your help. Sounds complicated but will give it a try.