Sunflower spewing flames...

[BoxMN]

I just tried a used sunflower I got from a buddy, and it lights and just spews flames out the top of it after lit. When I adjust the knob it doesn't do anything, just keeps going like gangbusters.

I am wondering if that little plunger you use when lighting it is stuck or broke in the open position.

Does anyone have suggestions on what to look for? And of course I am being safe, just trying to get it to work, not actually using it right now. If I caqn't fix it, I will just toss it anyway, but hoping it might be just some minor hardware fix for it. Thanks.

[Surface Tension]

You could have a clog at the air mixture. Blow that area out with compressed air.

Or you have a dirty orifice. Pull it out and use a very thin wire to clean it like a bread twister. Don't force too large a wire in there though or else it'll oversize it.

Or your buddy cleaned it out and used to large a wire.

[lovebigbluegills]

Pipe cleaners work very well for what surface tension is talking about.

[Tom7227]

Of you could take it to the bait shop everyone was whining about last week and see if they have any ideas. Jim does a pretty good job advising on such issues. Of course according to many you would have to put up with the smell and the grumpy old men, but it beats either freezing to death or immolation if you screw the thing up.

[redneckiceman18]

cool keep that and go pyro with it lol

[BoxMN]

Thanks guys, will give it a shot myself, will use fine wire and compressed air.

[Ed Carlson]

Since you said the regulator isn't doing anything when you adjust it, that lends me to suspect it is stuck or broken and allowing too much pressurized fuel to flow.

The Mr. Heater regulators run about $15. Spin it off and add a wrap of Teflon tape and spin a new one back on.

Also clean up the tube and check for any loose connection while your at it.

I suspect the regulator is shot....easy fix.