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S.E. Sask. | Maybe this should go in machinery talk but thought I'd try here in case there are any who have had similar problems with the reddy heater. For several winters now it has been really hard to ignite when it gets cold. Like below 0F degrees. The only way I could get it to light was by unscrewing the top cover and opening it up. Then it fires up instantly but burns pretty rich with a flame as I guess there is insufficient air to the nozzle without the hood. Set the hood back on and try it again and it fires right up fine. I can use it this way but its a nuisance having to unscrew the cover every time to fire it up. I've tried air pressure adjustments but it was not the real fix. Talked to a guy with an older John Deere heater that has the same problem.
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Mosinee Wi | I have had the same problem. Seen a ad on Craig's list for repairs. Guy came and picked them up.and works like new. Wish I knew what he did. |
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NE Ga | Have a Pro 110K btu Reddy heater. Had problems few years back. "Tune up"kit from Ace Hardware made it like new. Simple repair. Also only burn K1 kerosene. |
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S.E. Sask. | boutbrok - 12/12/2016 10:38 Have a Pro 110K btu Reddy heater. Had problems few years back. "Tune up"kit from Ace Hardware made it like new. Simple repair. Also only burn K1 kerosene.
I have never used anything other than winter diesel in this heater. Same as the tractors and oil furnaces burn and they don't have a problem lighting up. This Reddy heater was fine for the first few years I used it but the poor starting became an issue after a few winter's use. What has changed? Spark plug looks good. |
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NE | Check all rubber fuel lines for leaks. Even a pinhole leak that you can't see will cause it to be hard starting. I would start there, just replace all rubber lines, filter and check igniter.
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| Lunatic Fringe - 12/12/2016 12:43
Check all rubber fuel lines for leaks. Even a pinhole leak that you can't see will cause it to be hard starting. I would start there, just replace all rubber lines, filter and check igniter.
I'll second that. Been there, fought that battle too! Why will it only ignite when you take the cover off, then will work fine after it's been started once, you ask?
My theory is a line gets moved ever so slightly when you take the cover off, that squeezes the pinhole shut and it can start. Now, it warms up a little and softens the line... once again sealing the pinhole. So, speaking from experience, the first thing I'd do is swap out all rubber lines. Cheap enough to do.
EDIT: all I burn is #1 diesel in my heaters. I'd go broke buying kerosene! The new heaters will burn #2 diesel, but I can't see how that's a good thing. Just what I need, a gelled up heater!
Edited by Seekay 12/12/2016 13:08
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S.E. Sask. | Seekay - 12/12/2016 11:06 Lunatic Fringe - 12/12/2016 12:43 Check all rubber fuel lines for leaks. Even a pinhole leak that you can't see will cause it to be hard starting. I would start there, just replace all rubber lines, filter and check igniter. I'll second that. Been there, fought that battle too! Why will it only ignite when you take the cover off, then will work fine after it's been started once, you ask? My theory is a line gets moved ever so slightly when you take the cover off, that squeezes the pinhole shut and it can start. Now, it warms up a little and softens the line... once again sealing the pinhole. So, speaking from experience, the first thing I'd do is swap out all rubber lines. Cheap enough to do. EDIT: all I burn is #1 diesel in my heaters. I'd go broke buying kerosene! The new heaters will burn #2 diesel, but I can't see how that's a good thing. Just what I need, a gelled up heater!
So you are saying you replaced your fuel lines and that solved the starting problem? I would not have thought there were any fuel leaks on this heater but I guess it is worth a try. |
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West Central Minnesota | I had that same problem also. It seemed that the spark plug was always flooded. I could clean it up and the thing would take off and work fine. I found that the local farm store that sold them had a repair kit they could install and adjust pressures and it would be good as new. I don't remember what all was in the kit, but it solved the problem for a couple of years and then had to do it again. |
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SE IL | Start here.
https://www.google.com/search?q=reddy+heater+troubleshooting+guide&i...
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N.E. Iowa | . |
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S.E. Sask. | Thanks for all the feedback so far. Its been interesting. I was going to test it out again late this afternoon but it fired right up no problem. Maybe not cold enough. It had been sitting 6 hours at about 0F degrees. Heat felt good. it soon had the front glowing red. |
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Ohio | Just yesterday I put all new fuel and air lines on mine, fixed it, only one year old, but the fuel line can crack and leak air in to the rubber line, not fuel out, it draws fuel with suction to the burner. |
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Marianna Arkansas | We don't have #1 diesel here. Only #2, it burns fine. Course it would gell up if we got that cold but it doesn't here.
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Mid Michigan | I've had the exact same 100,000 btu reddy heater for 25 years now. Has kept me warm hundreds of times through every kind of project you can imagine. Would be lost without it. Doesn't always fire up anymore even after countless tune ups and messing with it. Now I just sit and wait and see if it's going to fire up instantly. If it doesn't all I have to do is block off the exit with something not flammable and it fires up every time. I just use an old piece of plastic shovel that covers the end perfectly off and it will fire up every time with no exceptions. Probably been doing that for ten years and never any other problems. Will run perfectly all day without missing a beat and is a godsend. I use kerosene in it. Got it tonight after work from Speedway for $3.50 a gallon.
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| Yep, finely cracked line was sucking air. No fuel leaking out, but air getting in a fuel line. |
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So Illinois | If you have trouble getting it to fire, just hold your hands over the air vent on the end as it lights. Will fire right off.
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| Too bad your not closer friend of mine repairs these type heaters all the time. He has pretty much seen it all. He started out working on and selling Knipco's and has seen about every other brand and knows all the ins and outs. This page might help you troubleshoot your issue. Air leaks in the filter cover are typical and the air pressure is critical. http://www.reddyparts.com/HSI_tips.htm From the bottom of the linked page.
Fact...you can replace every part on a heater,--- but if the air pump pressure is not correct....the heater will not run!! |
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NS Canada | I have a 125k John deer unit, which will throw an E3 error I believe. If you flick the switch and it says E3 it won't do anything, so you flick the switch off an on until it registers a temp on the screen and then it will light. I thought maybe it was the temp sensor so I replaced it, no change.
May have to flick the switch 20 or 30 times off and on to get a real number but once it does it will light and then run fine, even shutting off when up to temp and relighting.
Not sure who builds this unit, but they appear to be all built the same and painted different colours for different brands, so should be half common. |
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west central Ohio | Von glad you posted. I got two that needs some repair. im not too far away so mabey your friend would fix mine too ?
Don
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S.E. Sask. | maninblack - 12/13/2016 04:05 If you have trouble getting it to fire, just hold your hands over the air vent on the end as it lights. Will fire right off.
Thanks. I will try that next time. Maybe check the air pressure too as I have not done that in a while.
Maybe I'll do one of those "cold start" videos for youtube next time. :-) |
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S.E. Sask. | maninblack - 12/13/2016 04:05 If you have trouble getting it to fire, just hold your hands over the air vent on the end as it lights. Will fire right off.
Tried that this morning and it worked. Thanks for the idea. I'll use it again but still need to check the fuel lines I guess. |
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SCIA | watching |
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S.E. Sask. |
That is a good information page but it applies more to the newer computer equipped heaters. Mine is the simple old style from 20 years ago. Not a lot of hours on it though. |
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Reddy Heater
