I have to continuously relight the pilot light, hold the button down over 30 seconds and then turn the switch to On. Then I hear the gas and then a delay of over 2 seconds (which is not supposed to happen) then a really big backdraft that blows (outward as long as 1 1/2 feet!!- maybe because of the over gassed delay) out goes the pilot light and with no pilot light, you hear the quot;tsssssquot; of the gas for several seconds before it stops. How do I fix this problem? This pilot light problem started over a year ago but nothing has changed with the house or ventilation so WHAT GIVES?!?! This is soooo annoying!!
A...burners are probabally dirty B...pilot could probabally stand to be cleaned C...heat exchanger definately needs checked out Sounds like an OLD furnace, contact a qualified local heating contractor to have it serviced, and if it is found to be junk definately replace it. Have the company give you a free estimate as to what a new furnace will cost you, remember the price today is cheaper than the price next year, and definately a lot cheapter than gettin hurt or killed
It sounds like you have a cracked exchanger. this will let the gas go all over the place instead of the individual burners and cause all your problems. The best way to repair it is simply call a repair man in, sorry!
It sounds like your burners in your furnace are shot. They will rust out and get holes in them along the top were the slots for the gas are then the gas just rush out willy-nilly and isn't directed were its supposed to be like the pilot flame area gas builds up in back of chamber until it has enough to reach pilot thus ignighting with a bang and blowing out pilot. Your heating tech can get you new burner tudes and check your excanger for damage though I doudt its damaged. Gas will hiss out until thermocouple cools enough to shut safety valve. Usaully no more than 30-45 seconds
If the back draft is coming down the vent, there are different vent-tops available that might help. Around here we can get a 'Darth Vader' top that spins so that the opening faces away from the wind. If there's a hole or crack in the heat exchanger, there are some people that will repair it, but it's always been my feeling that a failed heat exchanger means it's time for a new furnace. All the other parts are likely just as old (motor, gas valve, etc); there would have to be some special reason for saving the furnace - keeping in mind that newer furnaces are more efficient.
Regardless of any possible heat exchanger problems, it reads as though you have gas valve/flame safegaurd (SAFETY) problems. THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS... as in KaBOOM!!! Turn the gas off/break out the blankets until the unit can be tested by a competent repair person. ~~~ Yes a thermocouple replacement is an easy, inexpensive repair compared to a furnace replacement. Heat exchangers usually have some kind of warranty (sometimes including labor). Out of warranty exchanger replacement can be as expensive as a furnace replacement but until you first determine if it's necessary, then get an estimate, one can only guess.
