Jayco Jayfeather Sport water heater issue

[campingfun]

I purchased a 2005 Jayfeather Sport 186 and I am having trouble lighting the water heater? I have gas to the stove and it works fine but I can't keep the pilot lit outside. It will light and then "poof" but goes out. I had a friend change the thermocuplar (sp) and that didn't work. This is my first trailer and I am wondering if I need to turn something inside also before I light it? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!

[etothepii]

So you are holding down the pilot button, which is turned to "light," and you're lighting it with a lighter I assume, if it is like my water heater... Once it lights, do you let the button up right away (bad idea) or do you let it burn a half minute or so, then let it up? Does it ever remain burning long enough to let you turn the switch to "on," or does it go out before you get the chance?

[campingfun]

thank you so much for responding! I let it burn for a little bit and then I switch to "on" and it will burn for about 45 seconds and then it goes out. It says in the book the flame should be "blue" it is a yellow flame and doesn't turn blue. Someone said that there could be a "cob web" or something in the line that isn't allowing the heat to reach the right point?? I am pretty helpless
Thanks again!

[Crabman]

Is it an Attwood? if so here is a link to a service manual and trouble shooting tips. Courtesy of fellow moderator tafische.

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B8U...UwZjQ2YjY2M2Ez

[Denise]

Welcome to the Jayco Owners forum CampingFun! If by chance there aren't enough members with that type of tt to help you out, give Jayco a call direct 800 283-8267. Tell them your problem and they will pass you onto someone who can help. Also, now that you found us, don't be a stranger! We'd love to hear how things are otherwise going for you and your Jayco

[campingfun]

This is one of the BEST sites ever! So nice to get an answer right away. Thanks for the responses and hopefully I will get it figured out. Happy wknd!

[Old Blue]

Not sure what type of heater you have but on a couple of trailers that I have had I had to take them apart at regulator and blow out pilot tube and main gas tube to get cobwebs out so that it would burn. A pain but only had to do it once a year but wasnt hard once you got it figured out.

[Terry]

Here is a little trick (if you are comfortable around gas appliances) you can try to see if your pilot flame is having a problem. Take one of those long lighters to light the pilot. After you light it, hold the long lighter flame to the end of the thermocouple. After about 20 seconds, turn to on and see if it lights up. Usually the lighter flame is enough to trick the thermocouple into allowing it to light.

Remember when working on something like a water heater, dont keep your face up near the heater when there is any flame (pilot or otherwise). You dont want a poof to take your eyebrows off.

[campingfun]

Thanks for the replies. Got it to stay on a little longer this wknd by closing the vent a little bit and tightened the unit with the switch on it. It got the water hot and shut down but then the pilot went completely out also. Getting closer. thanks all!!!

[David472]

If it's caused by cob-webs, compressed air may blow them away. I used an "air-duster" which is meant for cleaning out computer cabinets. My problem was debris in the gas orifice, which the compressed air didn't touch. I'm told the opening is 0.030 inches diameter for the main jet, and any small restriction will cause problems. I used a 22 gauge solid copper wire to clean it out. That wire gauge is 0.025 inches diameter. The pilot would be a smaller opening, not sure how small. I've been told this is not the best way to clean the gas jets. Two problems with it; you may enlarge the orifice making the flame too big. This is less likely with copper wire since it's soft material. The second draw back is you may push the debris up into the gas tube and it will return. Technicians will tell you the best way to clean, is remove pieces and clean individually. I chose the quick and easy clean method, and I think it worked, so far. See my thread in tech-talk.

[gserve]

Hi Campingfun, I have a 2006 Jayco jayfeather sport 186. You probably have the Atwood 6 gallon lp only water heater. Try cleaning the tube with a water heater brush. When lighting hold knob on pilot for at least 20 seconds then put on on and turn thermostat up. It should fire.