Buddy heater failed on first use - suggestions?

[GotALunker]

Had the kid out and put up the portable shack for him and my buddy heater failed to light.

Brand new propane tank, and it wasnt getting fuel at all. I noticed that it was left all summer in the "high" position. Not sure if that had anything to do with it, but I'm looking for help for what might be wrong.

[Stcloudangler]

Throw the POS away and buy a sunflower type. hate those things

[dairyman]

are you getting gas to the pilot----if not your orfice tube is probably plugged-----spiders will plug them

[GotALunker]

my oriface tube is plugged.

thats what she said.

Hey thanks for the info...I'll check that out tonight

[zamboni]

How long did you try to get it going? Takes a few minutes for air to get out of the system

[Castinski]

I'm on my third season with mine. A couple weeks ago I was having a heck of a time getting it to light (took 5 min of fiddling) every time. I took a few cotton swabs and dipped them in rubbing alcohol and cleaned up around the pilot light and then cleaned the inside of the pilot light by pushing the cotton swab in a couple inches. This worked like a charm and it has started up with ease ever since.

[MNmikew]

My son was using my big buddy the other day. He tried to light it and flames started shooting out everywhere but where they are supposed to. Entire insides were on fire. Lucky he tossed it out the door before it burned anyone/thing. This is the 3rd time it's done this. And the last.

I think about 30 rounds of 556 NATO green tip should fix it up reeeeeal goooood.

[buddha]

My buddy is 5 years old and did that for the first time last weekend. I put the fuel filter on for the first time and when I did that the thing had flames shooting out all over. I ditched the filter and ran fine ever since. If you have a filter check that out as that was my issue.

[Gus]

The brand new tank you referred to, is that a 1 pounder or a bulk tank? If it was a bulk tank, did the person who filled it purge the tank first?

[Ed Carlson]

Turn it to the light position, allow ample time for it to bleed the air, then hit the spark and see if the pilot will light...repeat this tell the pilot ignites.

I'm also thinking as long as you are certain you have fuel in the tank, then it's just air locked and needs to bleed out a bit to fire.

Be sure to have the dial in the low ignite/pilot/start position...spark away ever 5 seconds and hold the button down while starting, tell she lights and hold tell it heats up the thermocouple, then turn it up to desired setting.

[DeeJ]

How long did you try to get it going? Takes a few minutes for air to get out of the system

x2, same thing with mine first use this year...and put your earmuffs on when the sunflower groupies come out. They don't know what they're missing.

[GotALunker]

all great advice guys. I'll take a look at it tonight and let ya'll know what I find out.

[tsande00]

...and put your earmuffs on when the sunflower groupies come out. They don't know what they're missing.

LOL! I was gonna say, you might want to try rubbing some massage oil and whispering sweet nothings into it. After that fails throw it in the garbage and buy a "dangerous" sunflower.

[merkman]

Anyone wants to "get rid" of their buddy heater just let me know, I will come and pick it up... no need to smash it or throw it in the garbage.

[PlagueWielder]

I second that. I love my little buddy. Anyone who hates their big buddy should send me an email. I'll take it off your hands. Maybe even scrape up a few bucks for it.

shuonder71 at aol.

[GotALunker]

Turn it to the light position, allow ample time for it to bleed the air, then hit the spark and see if the pilot will light...repeat this tell the pilot ignites.

Okay guys...thanks so much for everything. But you know when they say that when you're fixing something...start with the cheapest/most obvious part first?

Well, I feel like a huge DUMBA**! My friend's new style buddy heater, you push down on the burner control knob when its in the pilot position and that is the spark. Well I have the older style where it has a separate red button on the back side and I was forgetting to push that down. Instead I was pushing down on the burner control knob and wondering (and cussing) why my furnace wouldn't fire!

So lets just say that now I feel like a real big bag of douche!

[daylate]

Not to hi-jack the thread but has anyone ever had the ignition spark stop sparking? how did you fix it? had to light it with a match today.

[SFC]

At least u posted the fix!

[GotALunker]

@SFC: Yeah...some "fix". Turned out alright though.

[jBohmer]

Don't think that would have been an issue if you had a sunflower. Enjoy the Buddy.

[DeeJ]

Don't think that would have been an issue if you had a sunflower. Enjoy the Buddy.

Yeah, brilliant fix. Go buy a new product when he could have turned the dial.

[walleyehunter80]

left mine in the deer stand and a mouse made a nest inside it, while it was in there makin nest it chewed up the gas line and let me tell you that was quite the show when i lit it

[Ed Carlson]

[MNmikew]

left mine in the deer stand and a mouse made a nest inside it, while it was in there makin nest it chewed up the gas line and let me tell you that was quite the show when i lit it

Wonder if that's what happened to mine. I use(used to) mine in the deer stand. Though I did check for any mouse signs after deer season.

[Northlander]

Throw the POS away and buy a sunflower type. hate those things

X2