Ex-pat

We just got the gas heater out for use. Worked fine last year but will not light now.
I wondered if any one here can advise as to where to go for an MOT on the fire. Somewhere Costa Blanca North Ondara/Javea/Moraira or maybe Oliva/Gandia?

Many thanks

Domino

if it is the same gas cylinder then it may be that which has the problem.

try rolling it a few dozen times, swing it, shake it and give it a good stir
then try again

hth

snikpoh

Actually, we find this every year. Last year we binned 3 of our heaters and bought new!


Let the gas flow for a good while (check it's coming out by smelling). The tube will be full of air which needs to be replaced before anything will light.

Check also that the regulator is working - sometimes they start to 'stick'. You should be able to feel the needle moving (a lot) when the 'switch' is flipped.

Retired in Euskadi

It's advisable that all gas cylinders stay upright as much as possible so that the liquified gas doesn't pick up any muck in the base of the container or it can eventually clog up the fine jet.
Had to continually remind my students that when we were dehorning calves with a propane burner.

jimenato

Surely it's worth changing the regulator and tube - only a few Euros from any hardware store and a few seconds work.

missile

We get all of our portable and fixed gas appliances checked by Cepsa.

Ex-pat

- how and where does one contact cepsa for this service?

- May decide to buy new, just to be on the safe side,

thank you all for your input.

Dick Dasterdly

I have one which is at least ten years old and occasionally refused to light for various reasons.
Presuming the gas connection is ok and there is sufficient gas I have come across two common problems.

1, The main nozzle below the heating surface is sometimes blocked often after standing a while.
This can usually be fixed by poking with a fine needle.

2, The ignition spark in the same location is either non existant or too faint to ignite the flame.
I usually remedy this by cleaning up the contacts similar to those on a spark plug, where the lighting spark jumps across.
Also check and narrow the spark gap slightly if necessary as it often becomes too wide with prolonged use.

Those are the actions I have taken with 100% success to date, but naturally if you have any doubts and and a big fat wallet then you should of course call in a qualified gas fitter.

missile

I think you are wise not to take chances. I know of a resident in Ciudad Quesada whose home was completely destroyed by gas explosion. Fortunately they were out at the time.

I arranged my contract with Cepsa through the provider of my gas appliances Ambifeugo > http://www.ambifuego.net/english.htm

I am sure any supplier of gas appliances will be able to assist you - or contact Cepsa Customer attention telephone: 902 416 416. See here > http://www.cepsa.com/cepsa/Products_...pane/Services/

billgates

Many foreigners, particularly campo dwellers, don't bother to get a gas contract and instead opt for buying cylinders at car boot sales, then just exchanging them at any petrol station.

Do you need an official gas contract in order to get your appliances serviced?

missile

I wouldn't think so, phone and ask.

Neptuno

Yes-you need a contract and an inspection every 5 years.Your contents insurance will not be valid ,if anything happens, without these.

teuchterpete

Don't know how cold it was, but they use butane which will not evaporate unless the temperature is above 0C and often will stop working slightly above this temperature because the bottle gets cold when the gas evaporates. This is why it is almost impossible to get all of the gas out of the bottler in winter. We used to have a problem with our water heater when we only came for the holidays. You do have to let the gas flow for what seems a long time before it will light.
Pete

agoreira

Portable gas heaters? Uuuum, I remember when we got one of these to replace our paraffin heater in the 50's, thought we were posh, who'd have thought 60 years later people still use them.

Neptuno

when the gas level is too low for the heater, we put it on the boiler where we get several days of hot water from it; It helps to shake the bottle a bit too.I wonder how many people give bottles back to the gas man with a lot of gas still in them-at 17.50 a bottle it is a huge waste.
As for paraffin heaters they are still going strong, no longer cheap as they once were, and apparently the paraffin is virtually odourless now, but I have memories of them in my childhood, and am worried about them being rather dangerous in the home, plus condensation can be a problem with them.