14
Photo #7
Once the igniter is removed from the burner box, use a fine piece of emery cloth or granite
sandpaper to clean the end that normally sticks into the flame. This end will normally be
discolored from the heat but try to make it as clean as possible without any debris or particles
being burned onto the tip. Once the igniter tip is cleaned thoroughly, simple replace it in the
burner box and re-install the screw.
The igniter should be properly positioned with the correct gap automatically unless the tip has
been bent. Normally the gap between the igniter tip and the burner orifice tube should be
between 1/8" and 3/16".
Cleaning the Burner Orifice Assembly:
The orifice assembly has two major parts - the orifice itself, which is a round brass plug with a
small hole drilled down the center of it, and a sheet metal tube containing air holes and a series
slits where the gas burns. Both of these may need cleaning. Photo #9 below is a close up of the
gas outlet slits in the burner orifice tube once it has been removed from the burner box. Just to
the left of the screw mounting flange are the three air inlet holes. The brass orifice is just off the
left side of the photo and is part of a brass fitting.
If the flame is yellow or flickers erratically, then the burner orifice is probably plugged and/or
dirty. Removal is similar to the igniter and thermocouple in that one screw holds it in place on
the burner box bracket. In addition, the gas line must be disconnected so that the burner orifice
can be removed for cleaning.
Always use two wrenches on all gas line fittings: one to loosen a fitting and another to hold the
mating piece stationary. Failure to do this may cause the copper gas line to bend or create a leak
at another fitting. Photo #8 below shows the gas line disconnected and the retaining screw being
removed from the flange around the burner orifice tube.
