can't get furnace lit on vintage rv PLEASE help

On the old pilot models,it takes a while to get the air out of the system.Lots of old timers used a propane torch to light the pilot and heat up the thermocouple because it allows the main valve to open and purge the system right away.Once the lines are cleared of air,they pretty much just keep on working.There is probably an on/off switch under your thermostat that needs to be switched on.As soon as you crank up the stat so it's calling for heat,the fan motor runs.The fan motor also provides combustion air,so it won't light without the fan running and tripping the sail switch.There is also a time delay built into the controller so the fan won't come on for maybe 15-30 seconds.

On our first trailer we had a pilot light on the water heater and the first time I lit the pilot (after opening the lines to refill the tanks) it took a long time holding the pilot button down which bypasses the thermocouple before all the air was purged out of the line.

Dick

I had one once that had a leak in the gas line to the pilot. After repeated times trying to get the pilot to light the gas has build up where the leak was and whoosh and boom... the whole area blew up.

You should have a fine gas line from where you push the button to the pilot light. Open that line and put a lighter there and press the pilot button. You should get a big flame. If not, your problem is before that, you have no gas.

Thermocouples are rarely bad. If you suspect it is failing just use a brass (only brass) brush to clean it and remove the carbon deposits.

It sounds like the prior owner has shut off the valve to the gas line going to the furnace. You need to look on the other side of the wall, where the propane line comes from, to see if there is a valve. Or shut off the tank, loosen the propane fitting to the gas valve a little bit, then put on some soap, open the propane gas valve at the tank, shut it, and see if any bubbles came up (or have someone look for smell of the propane then shut off the tank quickly as you know there is propane to the valve).

Your furnace fan should be coming on when you have a call for heating. If you are getting 12 volts to the furnace motor, then it is bad if it is not blowing out air.

As for the pilot, if there is gas to the valve inlet, then there should be gas going through the valve when you depress the "Pilot" light. You do know to turn the valve from on to "Pilot" then press it in? Gas should flow. Then light the pilot, and hold in the pilot valve for 30 seconds or so. If the pilot lights, yet will go out each time you release the valve, the thermocouple is probably bad. If the pilot will not light, but you have gas to the valve when you loosened the fitting for a few seconds, (and tighten it before turning on the valve again) you have a bigger problem, that someone else might have to solve. If you have no gas to the valve, the prior owner might have put in a valve, to shut off the gas because the heater is bad or for some other reason.

Good Luck,

Fred.

Is the knob/valve in the "Pilot" position? It probably has to be pushed down while you light the pilot ~ usually for about 20 to 30 seconds. Then let the knob up and turn the valve to "ON". After another 10 to 20 seconds the furnace will light.

What about the thermo coupling should I check? sorry I really don't know what I'm doing. learning as I go..

It's not a case of not staying lit. It's not lighting in the first place. I don't think it's getting gas..

I have read the manual over and over. Much of it is confusing to me..

Hydroflame Manual probably not much help tonight, but maybe tomorrow it will point you in a better direction.

Will the pilot light stay lit?

I would check the thermo coupling.