IMPROPER FLAME DIAGNOSTICS
For any of the improper flames discussed, refer to the following chart for the appropriate corrective actions. In most of the malfunctions described thus far, the burner flames will change character- istics when a problem develops. However, there are times when the symptom of a burner problem is an unusual noise. The noise may be a “rumbling” or “gurgling” sound or a “high pitched squeal” or “burr.” In any event, the table lists burner noise malfunctions and their respective causes and corrective actions.
Symptom |
| Cause | Corrective Action |
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Flame is | Excessive primary air. | Adjust air shutter. |
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sharp features. |
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Flame is small and blue in color. | 1. Clogged burner orifice. | 1. | Clean or replace burner orifice. |
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| 2. | Clogged venturi. | 2. | Clean venturi. Replace burner, if |
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| necessary. |
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| 3. | Restricted or clogged gas line. | 3. | Remove & clean the gas supply |
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| line. Relace, if necessary. |
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| 4. | Excessive low gas pressure. | 4. | Use a manometer and adjust the |
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| gas pressure. |
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Flame is yellow. | 1. Insufficient primary air. | 1. | Adjust primary air shutter. |
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| 2. | Blocked primary air shutter. | 2. | Clean primary air shutter & |
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| adjust for proper |
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| 3. | Oversized burner orifice. | 3. | Replace burner orifice. |
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Flame is noisy (rumbles or | 1. Excessive primary air. | 1. | Clean primary air shutter & |
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gurgles). |
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| adjust for proper |
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| 2. | Excessive gas pressure. | 2. | Use a manometer and adjust the |
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| gas pressure. |
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Orifice noise (burr or | 1. Debris lodged in orifice. | 1. | Clean orifice. Replace, if |
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squeal). |
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| necessary. |
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| 2. | Improper orifice size. | 2. | Replace orifice. |
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| 3. | Excessive gas pressure. | 3. | Use a manometer and adjust the |
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| gas pressure. |
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Air intake or mixing noise. | 1. Rough area in mixing tube or | 1. | Smooth interior surface. Replace |
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| venturi. |
| burner, if necessary. |
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| 2. | Loose debris in mixing tube or | 2. | Clean mixing tube. |
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| venturi. |
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| 3. | Burner not seated correctly over | 3. | Seat burner over orifice. |
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| orifice. Distance between orifice |
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| and venturi too large. |
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Erratic burner flame (fluctuates | 1. Gas regulator flutter. | 1. | Replace pressure regulator, if |
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high to low). | 2. | Control valve malfunction. |
| necessary. |
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| 2. | Adjust regulator on control valve. |
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| Replace, if necessary. |
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