Buddy won't light.

[Mike Stark]

i cant get the pilot light to light. i took it apart and checked for dirt and grim...didnt find any....bought it last winter.

any tips?

[CJH]

Make sure you hold the button down a good long time (minute or so) before lighting. Then I keep holding it down for another 30 seconds or so before I turn the knob.

[CaptainBly]

Empty tank

[buckhunter21]

Try bringing it inside and see if it will light when its warm. I know we were having a heck of a time getting ours lit up on rainy last week when it was -30.

[Jeremy airjer W]

I have been out a couple times when it has been snowing. I had the heater just sitting in the back of the truck and of course it got packed with snow. I always have a butane fire starter and after clearing the snow of the heater I use the lighter to melt the snow/ice out of the thermocouple/propane outlet. It's always fired up after its clear!

[eurolarva]

I had a problem with mine when using a hose to connect to a 20 lb tank. The hose part that connects to the 20 lb got snow on it and I could not go more then 20 or 30 seconds before the flame would go out. Finally had to use the back up 1 lb tank. I now keep the connectors covered with a baggie and rubber bands to prevent this from happening.

[UMDSportsman]

for the snow in the heater issue-buy the case from the big C store in Rogers and Owatonna. keeps the snow out and helps protect it when bouncing around. I don't have a quick connect hose so it comes off the tank and gets wrapped up inthe bottom of the heater and also inside the case. The case also has pockets for 1 lb tanks if you use them.

[Mike Stark]

i tried to light it inside...nothing...hooked the 5lb tank to it...nothing....held the pilot light for 2mins..nothing...im starting to think its done for.

[buckhunter21]

Try cleaning the tip of the pilot with a Q-tip dipped in alcohol. Have you tried switching your hose to the other regulator? Dont know what else to try it sounds like your not getting any LP to your pilot.

[Ed Carlson]

i tried to light it inside...nothing...hooked the 5lb tank to it...nothing....held the pilot light for 2mins..nothing...im starting to think its done for.

If you hold the pilot down... it will stay on as you get gas to flow...and once your release it... it will go out?

Is that the situation?

If so, it is the thermocouple. Replace it and see if that is the deal.

[Mike Stark]

no..i dont get it to light at all...just a blue spark.

[PeteB]

I've had to light mine with a match as the striker stopped working for awhile. Sounds like you aren't getting gas to the sparker. If it won't light with a match, there's no gas. I didn't see an easy way to take the thing apart either.

I couldn't get mine to keep the pilot light lit so I could turn it on. I had to install a shield over the pilot to deflect the flame onto the thermocouple and now it works.

Did you check the tip of the pilot for blockage? You might have gotten some rust or dirt in the port. You might try running a needle into it.

[Ed Carlson]

Check the thermocouple, if it extinguishes itself when you take the pressure off the start valve.

If you have no flow of gas at all when compressing the pilot light control then there must be an obstruction from the regulator through the control valve someplace.

See the Mr. Heater web site for the recommended gas system cleaning procedure.

[Agent Andy]

Mine would lite with the 20 lb tank but wouldn't stay lit with the small 1 lb tanks. I gave the heater away.

[EBass]

Take an air compressor to it. It worked for my buddy and he thought his was done and bought a new one. One summer weekend he aired it out and now it works. Just a suggestion before you toss it.

[Agent Andy]

The one I gave away was new, first time I'd used it(gave it to my step son).

[heat checker]

I would stick with the compressed air and shy away from useing a needle...to easy to ream out the orfice.