Raypak Heater Pilot Catching Fire

[albel1214]

Hi Everyone I have a Raypak heater. I tried to kick it on and received an ILO message a couple times. Finally I heard it light however I saw a flame at the bottom of the unit. I pulled off the cover and noticed a large oragne flame around the pilot assembly. I quickly turned off the heater.

Does anyone have an idea what would cause this?

 

[The Diesel]

I had the same problem with my hayward. I took off the pilot assembly and blew out the gas line going to the pilot. Mine was clogged with spider webs so the gas wasnt getting through. Worked after I blew it out and cleaned up connections.

 

[albel1214]

How do you get the pilot assembly off?

This is my issue for a visual of what I am seeing:

 

[ps0303]

Albel1214, are you a handy person? While it's not a very hard process to remove the pilot assembly, it is one that should be done with the utmost caution. First I would suggest with the unit off, look below to see if you have a visual obstruction causing this.

BY the looks at the floor plate of the unit and the rust there, I would suspect the pilot is rusted to some degree as well. The rust is mostly from condensation when you run the heater at times.

 

[albel1214]

Thanks. I will check it out. The good news is it sounds like the main cause is some sort or blockage, and not necessarily a failing part.

 

[The Diesel]

If you go to youtube and do a search there are videos of guys walking through the process of removing the pilot assembly. You could try and "cheat" and just disconnect that metal tube that goes to the pilot and blow compressed air through it and see if that does the trick. I assume that silver tube in the picture bottom right goes to the pilot and is connected to the gas valve on front of unit.

I agree - make sure unit is off and you are comfortable doing it.