Heat and Glow

[raccoon7]

I have a ST-HVB-IPI fireplace that has worked well for 3 years. It only gets used for about 4 months of the year. This year when I started it, Pilot came on as always, but the flame would only progress about a third of the way across the burner, and only about half as high as usual. I am thinking valve problems. Would like any input before I call out a tech ($250.00 minimum). Any and all info would be much appreciated

Craig

[raccoon7]

Apparently, it is refered to as a ST-36 now

[logdoc_rob]

While that may seem like a lot of money, that is cheaper than burning down the house or losing a loved one. You may want to bite the bullet and have a pro come out.

[raccoon7]

While that may seem like a lot of money, that is cheaper than burning down the house or losing a loved one. You may want to bite the bullet and have a pro come out.

If I knew he would come out and fix it, no problem. Chances are, he will come out, diagnose, without the parts even after he has all the information he needs and then have to go back to the shop for parts. Another 250.....plus parts and labor. At the end of the fix, I would bet it will cost 750.00+. Typical.

[logdoc_rob]

Ask if they charge a service charge each time they come out, or is it a one price to repair the issue. We are not allowed to discuss pricing on here, but if you do not like their pricing, chose someone else.

I'm not sure what the comment "Typical" was, but this is a website dedicated to service professionals. We do things by the book and do not try to get another service call charge out of our customers just to pad our pockets. I do not like to have to come back to a customer because it takes me away from a new and potentially regular customer. I have several thousand regular customers that ask me back because I give them good, fair and prompt service.

Still, $750 is cheaper than a new house.

[raccoon7]

All I am looking for is suggestion's as to what the problem may be so I can relay that to the tech that comes out. The more information I can give him, the better he can serve me....in the most cost efficient manner for both of us.

[blitz]

I can prolly tell you what it is. But I won't. he should be able to see what's wrong and do or ask the service manager for proper diagnostic.

just tell him that the flame is not as big as usual. and only 1/3 of the burner holes have flame.

[jtp10181]

I have a few ideas on the problem. The last of which would be the valve.

No parts should need to be replaced unless it is verified the valve is not putting out enough pressure.

BTW, its really annoying when a customer tells me how to fix their fireplace before I even take the glass off it. Also annoying is when they come ask me whats wrong with it when I am still checking everything over. Try not to be that customer ;-) and just let them do their job.

Also, the ST-36 is a new and slightly different model, do not call yours that. Your model is whatever is on the sticker under the unit.

[acreftec]

As as service tech, I totally agree with the last reply. The first thing the tech will probably wanna do is verify that no orfices are clogged and then he should use a gas pressure tester to check for proper pressure at inlet of the valve and outlet of the valve to the manifold. This is the way we as professionals check gas pressure. We dont make guesses even if it seems very easy to self diagnose.