Any Old Time Furnace people?

Got a really old furnace - checked it out yesterday and the little knob that goes from On/Off/Pilot seems to not turn. I can push it down with no problems - I took the knob off and can't even see how it would ever turn.

This is the best picture I could take of it - it is made by Honeywell - just has 24v in, and 2 gas lines off - i asume to a thermocoupler and to the burners.. seems soo basic yet i can'tsee how to get the knob turned.

Hmmmm..... On my old gas stove you pushed and held the knob down and held a match near the pilot light. Once the thermocouple popped open like one of those chicken thingies; the pilot stayed light and the knob could be turned.

YMMV.

Don't blow yourself up.

thats how I thouight it worked - but since it has 3 options and a red line on the unit it must be made to turn?!

Can you turn the valve with it pushed in?

With my gas logs, you push the valve button in and turn it to adjust flame height. To light the pilot, you push it in and hold it until the pilot has been burning for about 30 seconds, at which point the thermocouple will keep the gas flowing.

Edit: Might be that the button is merely for lighting the pilot and doesn't turn.

no turning pushed in either.

Yeah, that's probably just for lighting the pilot. What's the history of this thing?

was used last year, I called the gascomapny to turn on the gas and they did.. moved the gas line on the house so had it turned off - need to call and have them turn it back on but not sure if its an issue or not.. dont want to call them and it not work (they charge 50.00 everytime they come out)

So is the pilot lit?

If not, locate the pilot, push in the button and light the pilot. If the line has been open, it will take a few minutes of holding the button in before gas gets to the pilot.

Edit: I see that the gas is currently turned off. If the line is good, get them to turn it back on, then light the pilot.

Oftentimes the pilot lighting directions are confusing. Try every combination of turning and pushing or pushing and turning til you get one that makes the knob move.

Also, consider swapping your valve and thermostat to a millivolt-type system. It's self sustaining, meaning it doesn't need any outside power to work. That means your heater will work when the power is out. You could do it yourself for about 70 bucks with a basic thermostat. More if you want something programmable.

I was looking at those systems - maybe an option if I can't get this..

Hijack alert: How do you spell the past tense of to light?

I lit a candle. I lighted a candle. I light a candle?

Thank you.Grant, if all else fails just plumb in a new valve.

Dan

The grease gets really stiff in those valves. Push and turn. Hard.

914Driver wrote: Hijack alert: How do you spell the past tense of to light? I lit a candle.

Bingo.

yup old greese - got it fixed and working again - thanks all.. my grassroots heater will run again this winter (With lots of carbon monoxide detectors)!