I have a gas heater, one of those big, square, sit-in-your-living-room jobbies that has recently changed its "behavior", and I need to know what's wrong and if it's a problem.

When the fire used to go off, it just went out - whoomph. Now it sorts flutters and doesn't go out completely for a little bit (which is getting longer), with a little blue flame skittering across the gas bar. Reminds me of a car that runs on after you turn off the key.

The heater is a "Suburban" brand, about hip high, with vents along the top and a glass front taking up the lower third of the front part of the stove (it's sheet metal). Behind the glass is a perferated glass bar (horizontal) with a few fire brick-type heat retainers thrown in for good measure. Has a fan with a thermostatic on/off. Runs off of propane. Any ideas? Should I be worried? It just started doing this, has never before in over 4 years we've had it (not new).

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), December 28, 2000

Answers

Soni! Sounds like a couple things it could be. First---dirt under the seat of the operator of the gas valve. Second--not likely tho, is it's been colder this year than for several years and it's still cool enough to call for heat on low flame. Third--calibration is off or had slipped on the gasvalve--assuming the valve is a hydrolic valve that will work without voltage. Sounds like it isn't dangerous from what you described. Just some guesses from the old hootster. email me direct if'n yawanna. hoot. Matt.24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), December 28, 2000.

Im guessing we are talking about propane?,, Dont know if this matters, but have heard that the Gas Companies have been diluteing the gas, propane and natural gas, so you actually use more for the same amount of BTU's, guess its been happening for years,, any one else hear about this ?

-- Stan (sopal@net-port.com), December 28, 2000.

Hi Soni: Did you just fill your propane tank? Don't know why but when my tank gets filled things don't shut off to fast. Maybe high pressure? By the way, I loved your thread about giving thanks! .....Kirk

-- Kirk Davis (kirkay@yahoo.com), December 28, 2000.

Just filled the tank, but don't remember it doing it before. Could be faulty heater or faulty memory on that score. Will forward rest of info to repair guy (dear hubby) and let him make of it what he will. Keep the ideas coming, in case its none of the above!

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), December 28, 2000.

We had one that would do that when the temp got below about 25 degrees. Never caused any trouble. Just figured it had to do something with the way the liquid was vaporizing at the carbeurator. My gas grill does it also in cold weather.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), December 29, 2000.