Archive | December, 2009

Tweet 80% of the time the thermocouple causes this problem.  When lighting the pilot, if the thermocouple is not directly in the flame it doesn’t get hot enough to allow it to open the safety valve.  If it is directly in the flame and it won’t stay lit then the thermocouple is probably defective and needs to [...]

Tweet Top burner gas valves are fairly easy to replace.  With the top plate (bull nose) removed you can access them easily (part of the frame runs across the top of them).  If you are replacing all or just one, the burners must be removed if they have a slip type orifice.  If there is [...]

Tweet Top burner pilots need to be replaced if they become clogged.  They are very difficult to unclog, and generally need to be replaced. There are three types of pilots: Those with the tube pre-welded to the pilot head. Those that have a nut and ferral to slide over the tube and be tightened onto [...]

Tweet Burner heads usually become plugged over time.  There are two screws that connect the head to the venturi.  It is a good idea to use some kind of rust dissolver on the screws to loosen them.  Once the screws are out you can install the new head, and always remember to replace the gasket [...]

Tweet The top burner grates only need replacing if they have cracked due to metal fatigue or if they have been dropped and broken.  To replace, simply pull the broken grate off the top of the range and then place the new grate over the burner.