Forum Discussion

Joeydrunk's avatar
Joeydrunk
Explorer
Aug 25, 2016

black soot from forming outside pilot light vent?

Hi again everyone. I dint know if it's dangerous or not but the last 8 months black soot stains the trailer a couple feet above my pilot light vent and I'm wondering how to get rid if it. I read that either it's clogged with cobwebs or something or the flame is burning dirty and I need to adjust it. I'm just not sure how to go about either. I wanted to post a pic from my phone but I dint see an option for that. I have a 1990 Majorca elpaso 20 footer. Any help would be appreciated or links to detailed instructions on how to fix. I don't have any experience fixing anything like this and can't afford to have someone do it. Thanks
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Aug 25, 2016
    Pic OK but BRAND/MODEL would be of more help........

    Atwood or Suburban
  • GASMAN6674's avatar
    GASMAN6674
    Explorer
    Aug 25, 2016
    Generic answer pilot is burning too rich (soot) Check gas pressure, check air flow, replace orifice, bunch of different answers depending on what you find.I would also inspect main flame when burning its probably rich too.
    Should be a bright blue flame with a slight yellow tip, no lifting from the burner and very little noise.
  • eHoefler's avatar
    eHoefler
    Explorer II
    Aug 26, 2016
    More likely than not, you have some sort of insect that has built a nest in the burner tube
  • brdprey's avatar
    brdprey
    Explorer
    Aug 26, 2016
    GASMAN6674 wrote:
    Generic answer pilot is burning too rich (soot) Check gas pressure, check air flow, replace orifice, bunch of different answers depending on what you find.I would also inspect main flame when burning its probably rich too.
    Should be a bright blue flame with a slight yellow tip, no lifting from the burner and very little noise.


    not sure if it is the same as a general motor. but i am crossing my fingers this response is the key. black is usually fuel related. keep us up to date.
  • Joeydrunk's avatar
    Joeydrunk
    Explorer
    Sep 03, 2016
    Hi everyone thank you so much for the responses sorry it's taken me awhile to get back to you guys I'm going to post some links to some pics if my setup. Here's one and il post the rest in the next post.
  • Joeydrunk's avatar
    Joeydrunk
    Explorer
    Sep 03, 2016
    Also not in the picture but directly down from the flathead screw you see under "hot" on the underside is a Alan screw. Not sure if that is for adjusting anything
  • maxmorrow's avatar
    maxmorrow
    Explorer
    Sep 11, 2016
    Friends of mine had same thing and adjusted the air mixture and corrected the problem. Use the Black Streak cleaner and it should come off. He had tried a lot of things to get it off but that worked.
  • Sport45's avatar
    Sport45
    Explorer II
    Sep 12, 2016
    If you don't know what you're doing take it to someone who does. The Allen screw you see looks like a plug to me.

    You adjust the air/fuel mix with the clamp on the horizontal pipe below the thermostat. By covering more or less of the hole you are allowing less or more air to the burner.

    Make sure everything is cleaned out well before you try to adjust anything.

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