Mr. Heater Replacement Thermocouple

[MN BassFisher]

Hey guys, I know this is a somewhat common problem with the Mr. Heaters. I have had mine for 3 years now and now when I flip the the knob to Pilot, there is a small spark but it doesn't light the flame. If I take a lighter and place it near the thermocouple THEN it will light no problem and stay lit. I think this means I need to replace the Thermocouple? Has anyone done this before and is it relatively simple to replace? Any tips/information/experience would be great!

[monstermoose78]

It is so easy you can buy a new Thermocouple at most any hardware store. You just tighten it on. It seems I end up breaking them off on my heater cooker every couple years.

[leechlake]

I had the same problem Before I replaced thermocoupler I took a q tip and dipped in alcohol and cleaned out the gas valve that is just to the right of the ignitor. Swabbed it back and forth a few times, dried it out and then thing was good as new. Try that first.

[MN BassFisher]

I had the same problem Before I replaced thermocoupler I took a q tip and dipped in alcohol and cleaned out the gas valve that is just to the right of the ignitor. Swabbed it back and forth a few times, dried it out and then thing was good as new. Try that first.

Great tip, thank you!! I'll try that first

[rambryj]

Thermocouples are pretty hardy and I would be surprised if it quit on you in three years. They are simple devices, made of two different types of metal that touch each other and produce a voltage proportional to heat.

I have had the same issue with my Buddy Heater that you are having with yours and I contacted the manufacture. It turns out that running one of their heaters with a 20 lb propane tank without a filter can clog the gas valve. This correlates with what leechlake suggested. Have you been running the heater with a 20 lb tank? I guess that the refillable tanks have lower quality propane as the 1 lb tanks do not require the filter. If you want to keep running a 20 lb tank they sell fuel filters for $10 at any retailer that sells Mr. Heater products.

[MN BassFisher]

I have had the same issue with my Buddy Heater that you are having with yours and I contacted the manufacture. It turns out that running one of their heaters with a 20 lb propane tank without a filter can clog the gas valve. This correlates with what leechlake suggested. Have you been running the heater with a 20 lb tank?

I have ran it a lot off a 20lb Propane Tank but I used the 10ft Hose Assembly (Model# F273704) that Mr. Heater has which says that it eliminates the need for the Fuel Filter but maybe that is the problem! Have you been able to clean out your Thermocouple when you experienced this or did you just replace it?

[gonehunting]

Does your 10ft hose have the quick connect? If it does not have the rv quick connect you will need a filter I believe.

[MN BassFisher]

My cord does have a quick disconnect

[rambryj]

I have a Mr Heater brand hose that I used for a few years without a filter. Like what happened to yours, in order to light it I needed to use a lighter to get it started. I didn't have to replace the thermocouple, just cleaned gas valve that feeds the pilot. I also have had the Big Buddy heater for several years and haven't had a problem with it since I've only ran it using a hose with a filter. It won't hurt to get one as they are only $10. If cleaning it doesn't help I'm sure a phone call to the manufacture would benefit. I doubt it's your thermocouple but if all else fails try that as well. All these options are cheaper than a new heater.

[bowtie]

The thermocouple is a safety device that proves the pilot is lit so the main burner can light from the pilot flame.