HELP - Coleman Presidential WON'T LIGHT

[kaschu]

Hello,

I just got a 12/13 year old 14 x 60 mobile home. When I moved in the gas was off for about 3 months and we couldn't inspect the gas appliances. I brought in a H & AC person to inspect the furnace and he had a very hard time lighting it. He said it was working when he left (my dad was here, he had decided it was more important for him to be here than me, the person who has to live with it). The H/AC person said that if it continued to be a problem a part would need to be replaced (can't remember which one, something about the gas).

Temps have cooled and I get cold easily. Well, the pilot light is out and my dad couldn't get it lit. Have to stick a match deep in and we can't seem to get the pilot to notice the flame.

I was told it would be $500 - $600 to replace the part. I'm in the Chicagoland area, hate being taken advantage of and won't let it happen if at all possible.

Is that high for a part replacement? Would it be better to get a new unit?

Any thoughts? Please help! :)

THanks!

[bsac]

just curious is it natural gas or LP?
if the pilot actually lights up from the match and ti just won't stay lit when you release the button or whatever you probably just need a new thermocouple. hundred bucs or so total installed.
If the pilot won't light at all from the match you probably need a new orfice or valve. In whch case the valve will need to be replaced withi a new assy.
to clean or replace the orfice you're look'n at around 30 bucks or so.

[docholiday]

Not knowing which part is the probelm, it makes it fairly difficult to comment. Rest assured, a new unit is going to cost you alot more. Then again, if you plan on staying there for quite some time, it might be worth it.

Did the tech not leave a ticket with his findings and recommendations?

[kaschu]

Thank you for reminding me... Statment says:
"Furnchase clean check. relight pilot. unit run ok. gw control may need to be replaced soon."

I used a coupon to have it checked. Know of a radio show exchanges adv. for sevices with the same company. Might be able to get new furnace for $500-$600 installed (mom used same company and certificate to have a new furnace installed in her house). Don't know if mobile home unit is covered for that.

I'm also a first time owner who has already had to replace all flooring, dishwasher, oven, washing machine, dryer and will need to replace deck and shed. :(

[chicagotech76]

Sounds like you have a problem with the gas valve. I just worked on one of those old colemans myself a few days ago. Paying that much for a gas valve is really not that unreasonable in the chicagoland area. To be honest with you, I would scrap that coleman and look into purchasing a standard furnace for you trailer. Most HVAC companies will offer financing on a new furnace and you won't be throwing lots of money into something that is getting old and can be very unreliable. Now most furnace come with at least a five year parts and labor warranty. Not only will you have a new piece of equipment but you will have a good piece of mind. Good luck with your unit. I hope this helped!

[tinmantu]

To my knowledge you can't just put any furnace in a mobile home...it has to have external combustion air and last I heard Trane 90 percent were the only ones that were approved...I know Rheems aren't...sure you can put them in, but if something goes bad your insurance company is going to laugh at you.

[tinmantu]

I'd also like to add to kaschu to get a second opinion before spending that kind of money on just a simple gas valve...shop around, talk to friends that have had good luck with a company, etc.

[Mr HVAC41]

sounds like the tech that was out there didnt find the problem. as a tech, i feel that bozo the hvac clown needs to go back and fix it for free. and mind you, you need to make sure bozo heating and air continues to fix this problem for free! (i call the tech a bozo cause i feel that from what you stated from the ticket that he was not very investigative.)

if ticket said something like:

no heat, customer states problem with pilot light. pilot tests okay but it is difficult to light. unit runs fine but could very well go out again. if so, please call us and we will come out because you will need <> replaced or we can discuss other options. thank you!





i would not call him bozo if the ticket says that

[tinmantu]

Colemans are extremely hard to light for a person that isn't familiar with them...I won't say how I do it (for safety sake), but there is bit of skill involved if you are just using a match....said tech should have pulled the burner assembly and cleaned the pilot and made sure the t-couple was in good condition. I've had instances with colemans where the only way you could light them on a high wind day was to wrap your jacket around the vent on the roof. Sometimes a vent extension is needed.

[inturmoil]

Just buy and install a thermocouple. You can buy one at any hardware store CHEAP. Take about 5 minutes to put in. Easy. If that doesn't work, get a tech out there. Even if you put the thermocouple in and that wasn't the problem, it is a damn cheap maintenance item.

[Milk man]

How old is this POS? A heat exchanger water test needs to be done.

[Mr HVAC41]

why do you have a COLEMAN???? git er outta there!

[Jultzya]

Originally posted by chicagotech76
To be honest with you, I would scrap that coleman and look into purchasing a standard furnace for you trailer.

No reputable HVAC Company will do such a thing!

You should only be installing a unit that is approved for trailers.

[MechAcc]

The problem could be: bad thermocouple, dirty pilot burner, blocked or partially blocked vent, vent not properly seated allowing combustion byproducts to return down the combustion air side of the vent. If propane the supply pressure may be reaching over 13.5 inch wc and is causing the valve to lock out.


Then there is always the possibility some hack installed the furnace and it doesn't have a Coleman vent system. Or replaced the pilot burner with the wrong one as well.

[Mr HVAC41]

Originally posted by jultzya

Originally posted by chicagotech76
To be honest with you, I would scrap that coleman and look into purchasing a standard furnace for you trailer.

No reputable HVAC Company will do such a thing!

You should only be installing a unit that is approved for trailers.


i agree with jultzya on this one. i dont know which furnaces are rated for a trailer except atwood. those go in travel trailers. i have never had the pleasure of working on them and thusly, i cant tell you much about them.

[Jultzya]

Originally posted by mr hvac41
i agree with jultzya on this one.

Are you feeling ok?

You want me to dail 911 for ya? :D :D

[Twilly]

Originally posted by jultzya

Originally posted by chicagotech76
To be honest with you, I would scrap that coleman and look into purchasing a standard furnace for you trailer.

No reputable HVAC Company will do such a thing!

You should only be installing a unit that is approved for trailers.



Sure They Would Call 1 800 ima dumb

[Mr HVAC41]

Originally posted by jultzya

Originally posted by mr hvac41
i agree with jultzya on this one.

Are you feeling ok?

You want me to dail 911 for ya? :D :D


i dont know what it feels like to feel ok so i dont know. i wouldnt waste my time!

[MechAcc]

Originally posted by tinmantu
Colemans are extremely hard to light for a person that isn't familiar with them...I won't say how I do it (for safety sake), but there is bit of skill involved if you are just using a match....said tech should have pulled the burner assembly and cleaned the pilot and made sure the t-couple was in good condition. I've had instances with colemans where the only way you could light them on a high wind day was to wrap your jacket around the vent on the roof. Sometimes a vent extension is needed.

Know what you mean about wrapping the cap on high wind days. Now have one of those flexible extra long butane lighters. Haven't had to wrap the cap since I got it.

[Mr HVAC41]

just get your torch out and aim it at the pilot. the pilot is lit and tcouple is preheated too!

[ct2]

inturmoil
Member

Registered: May 2005
Posts: 29
Just buy and install a thermocouple. You can buy one at any hardware store CHEAP. Take about 5 minutes to put in. Easy. If that doesn't work, get a tech out there. Even if you put the thermocouple in and that wasn't the problem, it is a damn cheap maintenance item.

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Why are you giving this kind of advice to anyone ? It is true , you can get them Aat a hardware store cheap--If you can put one in a coleman in 5 minutes I'll kiss your A$$ in times square
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This is A COLEMAN in a 12 to 13 yr old mobile home

I agree with LYNN .....it needs to be checked for a cracked HX

Coleman has recalled their furnaces for this problem and by going to their web site this mobile home owner can find out if his unit is covered under that recall

[ct2]

tinmantu
Member

Registered: May 2005
Posts: 28
Colemans are extremely hard to light for a person that isn't familiar with them...I won't say how I do it (for safety sake), but there is bit of skill involved if you are just using a match....

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Yea , tinman

that bit of skill involved using a match.....

That skill wouldnt have anything to do with removing the soot from your face and getting it out of your singed hair
does it???

That was my lesson learned about lighting a coleman....