Need Help---Propane Stove not staying lit

ecchastang · 12-30-2009, 10:31 PM

So this is my first camper, I bought a SMB about 2 weeks ago. I am on my first trip, and when I light the stove, it does fine for about 2-3 minutes, then just fades out. If I try to light it immediately, it won't light. If I wait a few minutes, it will light fine, then the flame will just burn out in maybe 15 seconds. So there seems to be some correlation with how long the stove is off before lighting and how long it will stay lit. Has anyone else experienced this, or has an Idea what might be wrong?

jage · 12-30-2009, 10:41 PM

Propane full? (or 3/4, they won't fill all the way)

Propane on? All the way on?

yvrr · 12-31-2009, 08:50 AM

I wonder if the propane tank needs to be purged of air. Although the following post is regarding furnaces and the symptoms are different, it might be the problem:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1858&hilit=purge

ecchastang · 12-31-2009, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jage

Propane full? (or 3/4, they won't fill all the way)

Propane on? All the way on?

Almost 3/4 full, and seems to be on all the way. Propane frig has been working fine for 4 days straight.

scatter · 12-31-2009, 09:26 AM

Any restriction or kink in the line going to the stove? It sure sounds like it is just running out of fuel. Like there is a small orifice or something letting propane thru, but not enough to keep the stove lit. Then the line fills up again and runs for a few minutes till it runs out. I'd follow the line back and check it. Or better yet, remove it at both ends and blow it out with compressed air. I'd do it into a clean rag so you can see if anything comes out.
Good luck.

TwinStick · 12-31-2009, 12:34 PM

Some propane tanks have a VERY finiky safety valve. I have one that you have to turn on VERY slowly (1/8th turn at a time), or else it thinks there is leak & then i barely get a flicker, then it goes out. Might not be your problem, but worth a try. (this is only if you have a fefillable tank with that safety valve. 20lb tank is what I was refering to)

jage · 12-31-2009, 10:54 PM

Might be separate knob to the stove... don't know.

The stove could also be dirty... my dad's propane fridge had all kinds of problems until he took it apart and cleaned the burner real well.

But my first guess was that it's not getting enough gas and sort of fills up if you leave it, but runs out once lit, which means back in the line somewhere.

billwilson · 01-01-2010, 07:57 AM

on my westy had a two burner stove
one worked fine
the other crappy

a tech inserted a LONG pipe cleaner down the outlet for the
crappy burner

pulled out a dead spider and web.......

oldbonesclimber · 01-01-2010, 11:35 AM

I had repeated issues with the propane REGULATOR on my Westy. Searched and searched, must have had the fridge out 50 times trying different fixes and WaLa as soon as I changed the regulator everything worked as intended. After that changing it every couple years kept it functioning perfect.
Being exposed to all the road dirt and cold and mud is hard on them hanging under the frame. I will even get an extra for the Sporty. They're relatively cheap about $20. It certainly would be the 1st thing I would replace. I never had much luck trying to repair or adjust them.

Paul