ventfree fireplace gas smell

[countvlad]

this is a lowes vent free LP fireplace, and I purchased it a month ago.

apparently the back burner doesn’t light up every time... when its calling for heat the front burner lights up but the back doesn’t light up right away, it takes a min or so... seems like the flame doesn’t wanna travel all the way in the back and gas escapes, obviously lets the propane in the house… I was just wondering if anyone has an idea why this happens. The regulator might be going bad?

I attached a picture that shows the burner not being lit up.

btw I also have a LP furnace in the house that its used as back up and a stove that’s used for cooking…

Merry Christmas!!

[logdoc_rob]

Those flames don't look good. You may have a pressure problem. Log placement could also be an issue.

Propane is a heavier than air gas and will collect in a low area and await a source of ignition. It will ignite without warning and can cause burns, fire and explosion !!!!

Call a professional before you have a bad start to the new year.

[rich pickering]

BTW, most manufacturers don't allow these as a source of heat.

[countvlad]

Those flames don't look good. You may have a pressure problem. Log placement could also be an issue.

Propane is a heavier than air gas and will collect in a low area and await a source of ignition. It will ignite without warning and can cause burns, fire and explosion !!!!

Call a professional before you have a bad start to the new year.

flames dont look good? whys that?? i check the manual and it should be between 3-6"...

pressure problem??? I checked the output pressure of the outside regulator and it was around 12 inH2O... turned the fireplace and dropped slightly...
then i raised the pressure up to 13.5 inH2O.... turned the fireplace and the furnace and pressure dropped slightly, around 13.25...

log placement??? the logs are installed acording to the manual...

btw i work in a liquified natural gas plant so thanks for the propane advice but that wasnt what i was asking...

thank you for your help anyway...

[countvlad]

uploaded 3 new better pictures....

[logdoc_rob]

I didn't mean to step upon your toes. In this forum, you never know who is on the other end of the conversation and how much they know.

The flames look a little too dark in your pictures. Knowing the pressure coming into the gas valve is a good start, but you also need to know what is coming out of the valve and into the burner. There is much more to vent free log sets than most people think there is. If you get something wrong, bad things can happen. Call the mfg, they should be able to answer your questions.

[logdoc_rob]

Is that soot on the upper part of the back and sides of the inside of the firebox?

[hearthman]

Vlad, your terminology is a little confusing. Normally, you have inlet and manifold gas pressures--not outside and inside. Your inlet pressure for LP should be btw 11-14 wci. Your manifold pressure, which is the pressure going to the burners is stated on the rating plate and for LP is usually 10.0 wci max. Can you explain what it is you are adjusting pressures on?

Since you sound a little unsure of yourself as a ventfree fireplace technician, I highly recommend you stop tinkering and hire a tech experienced and qualified to work on this unit.

If you are judging flame just by their height, you are in for trouble.

As for the rear burner not lighting, there are numerous things that could be causing this. Things from a blockage at the valve inlet to a loose connection on the burner tube to blocked crossover ports or a blocked venturi.

You make a good case why you should refrain from buying fireplaces from a mass merchant but rather buying from a hearth retailer. That way you have somewhere to turn to for help, unlike with mass merchants. Also, specialty retailers tend to sell higher quality brands.

Hearthman

[countvlad]

Is that soot on the upper part of the back and sides of the inside of the firebox?

thats not soot....

[countvlad]

I didn't mean to step upon your toes. In this forum, you never know who is on the other end of the conversation and how much they know.

The flames look a little too dark in your pictures. Knowing the pressure coming into the gas valve is a good start, but you also need to know what is coming out of the valve and into the burner. There is much more to vent free log sets than most people think there is. If you get something wrong, bad things can happen. Call the mfg, they should be able to answer your questions.

i appologize for being defensive... thank you for your help

[hearthman]

"did not check the manifold pressures...which should be 8"... i dont know and i dont think i can check that.. what ive checked and adjusted the propane tanks outlet pressure regulator."

If you don't know what you are doing, then please stop and let a pro work on it before you get hurt or hurt someone else. This is not a DIY site and you obviously do not know what you are doing with this fireplace, no offense.

Hearthman

[SeattlePioneer]

Hearthman---


Heh, heh! Yes, that photo plus your motto pretty much says it all.

[mdnbiker]

Interesting that i found this post. I also purchased the same fireplace from Lowes and have the same problem. Unit has a 3/8 inlet on unit. the installer installed a 3/8 line about 4' long from cut-off valve to unit inlet. Burner half lit. Installed a new regulator and am getting 14"wc. Still not working. Called manufactorer they said I need a 1/2" line to units 3/8 inlet. Had gas guy come back and do this. Still not working. Gas guy cleaned the burner orifices just in case there was a blockage. Same problem. Called manufactorer again, they say they have no idea why this is happening, and a supervisor will call me back. After two weeks no call. Called again and was told the same thing one week later, still no call. During this time I found if I remove the #4 log (left side short log) it lightes every time. Customer service said to remove the log. Instructions say do not operate wiithout all logs in place. I now have about $650.00 in a $300.00 fireplace. Can't use it, won't use it. Apparently defective. #4 log when in place has good clearance of burner. Piece of junk and still waiting for call and who is going to pay the bill for all this.