New tank installed. Noticed a whiff or two of gas when entering that room. Called the installer back - found nothing. Bought a handheld detector. When insert that in to the space between the vent and the top of the heater - it does go off. Is this normal?
Gas leak question
- Thread starter adamhodge
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Fitter30
Well-Known Member
No leak could be at the pilot assembly. Natural gas leak could be as small as just barely making a bubble with soap and get a wiff every once in while.
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The leak is not at the pilot. It's on the top of the unit in the space between the heater and vent pipe.
Fitter30
Well-Known Member
Nat gas is almost 40 times lighter than air raw gas would run right up the flue out the vent hood. When checking piping cup your hand over the joints with leak probe also check burner tube bottom of gas valve with heater running.
Jadnashua
Retired Defense Industry Engineer xxx
It’s possible there’s a very small amount of raw gas that might leak if ignition is slightly delayed, but if it’s noticeable while running after a minute or so, yes, it’s a problem, and should be found and repaired.
Phog
Active Member
Combustible gas detectors can sometimes be cross-reactive to other things in addition to natural gas. For example carbon monoxide. Maybe yours is detecting something of that coming from the pilot flame.
Jeff H Young
In the Trades
if your nose smells gas and detector says gas I think it's gas. why can't there be a leak down at the pilot tube inside next to the pilot flame and gas going up flue as suggested by fitter 30? makes sense to me . if its hard to get to . just turn control knob off, pilot valve will close , come back in an hour take a whiff now ? no smell or detection there you go , most likely a loose connection at pilot burner
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