Why does my gas fireplace not light sometimes?

If gas is coming out of the pilot but it still won’t light, the spark igniter could be the problem. You should clear out any debris between the igniter and thermocouple. Blowing compressed air into the pilot area, waiting a couple minutes, then trying again could help to fix the problem.

Why does my gas fireplace take so long to ignite?





Short cycling of propane fireplaces can cause ignition problems that mimic delayed ignition. Unburnt fuel pools at the bottom of the firebox after the burner cycles off and, if the fireplace is turned back on before the fuel dissipates, the pooled fuel will light off rather loudly.

How do you clean a thermopile?

To quickly clean your thermopile, turn off the gas supply. With the help of a stainless steel brush and fine-grit sandpaper, you can scrub off as much piled up soot as possible.

How do I know if my thermocouple is bad on my gas fireplace?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: You should replace the thermocouple. So to recap the readings to look for are 8 to 30 millivolts. And if the readings are less than 7million. You should replace the thermocouple.

What do I do if my pilot light won’t light?

If your pilot light won’t stay alight, it might be the thermocouple. Sometimes dust buildup collects on the thermocouple and blocks the sensor. Try cleaning the thermocouple and then relighting the pilot light. If it continues to go out, the thermocouple might need to be replaced.

How do I clean the igniter on my gas fireplace?





Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Bottom taking a look inside you can see the parts where the spark is supposed to emanate from and right here we have a thermocouple. And that just measures the temperature. Right.

How much does it cost to replace a thermocouple on a gas fireplace?

between $150 and $250

When replacing a thermocouple or thermopile with the help of a professional, you can expect to pay between $150 and $250.

How much does a thermopile cost?

24″ Thermopile

Was: $16.99 Details
Price: $15.48
You Save: $1.51 (9%)



What does a thermopile look like?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: It has a copper wire that screws into the gas valve that's the way to spot the difference between a thermocouple. And a thermo-pile not all fireplaces have both some just have the thermo-pile.

How long does a thermopile last?

Thermopile sensors don’t have a specific life expectancy or degradation rate. As long as they are used correctly and maintained properly, thermopiles can last for years or even decades and remain in good working condition.

What are the symptoms of a bad thermocouple?



Failed Thermocouple Symptoms

  • Signs of contamination on the tube, e.g. discoloration, cracks, or pinholes.
  • Signs of wear or corrosion of the wirings, e.g. missing insulation or bare wire.
  • Physical damage to the connectors which can have an effect on the reliability of the test reading.


How much does a thermocouple cost?

The No. 1 cause of pilot lights that won’t stay lit is a worn-out thermocouple. It’s easy to replace and a new one costs $5 to $10. Rather than trying to unfasten the thermocouple inside the water heater’s burning chamber, it’s easier to remove the whole burner and thermocouple assembly.

How long does a thermocouple last on a gas fireplace?

Thermocouples can last up to 10 years if properly installed and maintained, while furnaces can last 15-20 years, although either may wear out sooner in multifamily units.

Does cleaning a thermocouple help?



Remove the thermocouple from the process assembly, using a steel wool or emery cloth, lightly clean the tip removing any build up. Cleaning a thermocouple is not a fix for an issue, such as inaccurate readings.

How do you troubleshoot a thermocouple?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: If I take my wire and attach it to anywhere along the sheets of the probe. I attached to the sheath and I'm getting continuity this is a grounded thermocouple if this was an ungrounded thermocouple.

What happens if a thermocouple fails?

Normally when the thermocouple malfunctions or isn’t working, it simply shuts off the gas to your heater. This is important, particularly if the pilot light is out, because it prevents harmful gas from leaking into your home.

How do you replace a thermocouple on a gas fireplace?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Set you have to get access to the burner assembly. If you look inside there you can see the thermocouple the thermopile. And the burner.

What is the most common thermocouple failure mode?



The most common failure mode for thermocouples is for them to fail open, this is known as thermocouple burnout. Burnout can result from a variety of reasons including the thermocouple experiencing a temperature in excess of that for which it was designed, metal fatigue, and oxidation.