Repairing Guides

how to repair kerosene heater

by Amya Hoeger IV Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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What Are the Steps to Kerosene Heater Repair?

  • Eliminate impurities in kerosene: Remove the wick and dry it on absorbent paper. Drain the cartridge tank and the burner tank, wiping up any spilled kerosene.
  • Burn off a kerosene heater’s carbonized wick to restore softness: Remove all the fuel from the tank or wait until the tank is empty. ...
  • Replace the kerosene heater wick on most kerosene heaters: Drain or burn off all the fuel in the tank and allow the heater to cool completely. ...
  • Replace a kerosene heater igniter: Remove batteries from the case to avoid danger of shock or accidental ignition. ...

Part of a video titled Kerosene Heater Safety and Repair - YouTube
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First you need to look at your heater. And see how it disassembles. This particular one of course I'MoreFirst you need to look at your heater. And see how it disassembles. This particular one of course I've had a part before cleaning it and of course it needs to be cleaned now but this one has screws.

How do you turn off a kerosene heater?

Here are the most probable issues:

  • The heater is in an unventilated room. Even good kerosene heaters with quality kerosene fuel still need proper ventilation to avoid the buildup of unhealthy fumes in the air. ...
  • You haven’t sealed the bottom of the burner unit properly. ...
  • You’ve set the wick too high or too low. ...
  • The fuel you’re burning isn’t of good quality. ...

How to fix these common kerosene heater problems?

  • The igniter on your heater is defective. Unfortunately, if that’s the case, there isn’t much you can do to fix it. ...
  • The batteries have run down. This is a much simpler problem we’re used to from all other electronic devices we use on a daily basis. ...
  • The wick needs cleaning. ...

How to get rid of kerosene heating?

Kerosene oil is a very handy fuel source and is used to power many items in homes, workshops and other environments. Although kerosene oil is very safe and stable if handled correctly, it does have a distinctive pungent, oily smell.. If un-burnt kerosene oil is accidentally spilled, it can lead to a very strong odor, especially if the spill happened in a closed area (inside your home, for ...

How to light a kerosene heater manually?

  • Set up heater
  • Open hatch
  • Turn up wick to high
  • Manually lift up burner
  • Use a long lighter or match to light the wick
  • Put burner back down
  • Check that the burner is stable
  • Close hatch
  • Watch and adjust wick as necessary

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Why is my kerosene heater not working?

If your kerosene heater won't light: If the igniter doesn't glow, check the batteries. Use non-alkaline replacement batteries; alkaline batteries deliver too strong of an initial jolt and may damage the igniter.

How do I know if my kerosene heater needs a new wick?

If the wick has black tar deposits, it needs to be cleaned or replaced. Wicks are best cleaned after a dry burning. Regularly remove carbon deposits with a brush or comb. Avoid using anything stiff or hard, as this could damage the wick.

How can I make my kerosene heater work better?

1:235:51Quick tips to make your Kerosene heater run better. Smoking ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRight see the flame go when you lift it that's all right wiggle it back and forth. Move it side toMoreRight see the flame go when you lift it that's all right wiggle it back and forth. Move it side to side. And it levels that flame. Out. All right you can turn your flame down a little with the knob.

How do you fix a wick on a kerosene heater?

1:0915:03How to Change a Wick in a Kerosene Heater - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe're going to follow the diagram remove. The top covering. And get to the wick. It looks likeMoreWe're going to follow the diagram remove. The top covering. And get to the wick. It looks like there's only four screws. Make sure you don't lose the screws. Though look they're magnetic like stick.

Can you clean kerosene heater wick?

1:033:56Self Cleaning Kerosene Heater Wick Trick - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBasically you have to take a wire brush. And brush it and brush the wick or the top of the wick toMoreBasically you have to take a wire brush. And brush it and brush the wick or the top of the wick to break up that carbon buildup.

How often should you dry burn kerosene heater wick?

once a weekFor your heater to burn to its maximum efficiency, you should regularly dry burn the wick as it accumulates deposits. Many people dry burn the wick as much as once a week. The first dry burn should take place within a week of using the heater or after burning 3.5 tanks of kerosene.

How do I know if my kerosene has water in it?

Allow the sample to sit for at least an hour and observe to see if there is anything floating in the fuel. Bubbles at the bottom are not good – they are water bubbles, not air. You should not be able to see particles floating. If the kerosene is clear it should be crystal clear with no separation.

How long do kerosene heaters last?

On the lowest setting and a full tank I would say it will run for 8-10 hours before the gage is al most on empty and needs a refill.

Can I use red diesel instead of kerosene?

Yes, you can use diesel in your kerosene heater. Kerosene heaters are multi-fuel heaters and can run off several different fuels, including diesel. You can even use pure vegetable oil in a kerosene heater! However, some types of fuel will perform better in a kerosene heater.

How many hours will a kerosene wick last?

How long does a full kerosene heater last? It gives off a lot of heat and when filled to full capacity it will burn for well over 6 hours.

How do you replace a wick?

0:231:32Zippo Instructional: Wick Maintenance / Installing a New Wick - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe need to remove all of the fuel chambers components. The Flint's crew felt bad packing materialMoreWe need to remove all of the fuel chambers components. The Flint's crew felt bad packing material and the old wick insert. A new wick either downward through the chimney.

How many hours will a kerosene wick last?

How long does a full kerosene heater last? It gives off a lot of heat and when filled to full capacity it will burn for well over 6 hours.

How high should the wick be in a kerosene heater?

3/8”NOTE: Be sure to check wick height. It should be 3/8”. LEAVE THE HEATER UNATTENDED WHILE BURNING!

Why do kerosene heaters burn low?

Low quality fuel or water-contaminated fuel clogs the wick fibers and impedes the flow of kerosene. The best solution would be to replace both wick and fuel.

How do I know if my kerosene has water in it?

Allow the sample to sit for at least an hour and observe to see if there is anything floating in the fuel. Bubbles at the bottom are not good – they are water bubbles, not air. You should not be able to see particles floating. If the kerosene is clear it should be crystal clear with no separation.

Why won't my heater turn off?

Either blow the flame out or use a wet blanket to smother it completely. After that and once the heater unit is completely cooled off, remove the burner unit and remove the wick with pliers. If it wasn’t lowering properly, which is the most likely reason why the heater wouldn’t turn off, the wick is probably too dirty.

Why is my kerosene heater uneven?

Kerosene heater uneven flame. The most common reason for this problem is the tar buildup on the wick. The way to fix this is by burning the wick “dry” in order to remove the tar and resin deposits off of it. This must always be done outdoors as it will produce a lot of smelly and harmful gases. To do this simply turn the wick up to ...

Why is my kerosene heater slow to warm up?

Kerosene heater ignites but is slow to warm up. Again, this problem is most commonly caused by a dirty or older wick. Remove the wick from the heater and burn it dry outdoors before reinstalling it back in the device. If the wick can’t be salvaged – replace it.

How high should a kerosene wick be?

This is a very common problem – the wick should always be set at the appropriate height of half an inch (1.3 cm). When your kerosene heater is burning you should keep an eye on the wick’s height at least once every hour. The fuel you’re burning isn’t of good quality.

Do kerosene heaters need ventilation?

The heater is in an unventilated room. Even good kerosene heaters with quality kerosene fuel still need proper ventilation to avoid the buildup of unhealthy fumes in the air. Simply open a couple of windows to create some cross ventilation. You haven’t sealed the bottom of the burner unit properly.

Can a kerosene heater cause problems?

Whether you’re having kerosene heater wick problems or trouble with the knobs – even an innocent-looking problem may prove to be disastrous with this type of heating device.

Can you shut off a kerosene heater?

Kerosene heater will not shut off. If you can’t turn the heater off or you can’t lower the wick back down, you’ll need to first find a way to safely smother the flame before you can deal with the wick. Either blow the flame out or use a wet blanket to smother it completely.

What to do if your heater doesn't turn off?

If it still does not turn off, you will want to safely smother the flame once again . Contact a repair service as soon as you can, they will be able to help you fix the problem.

Why won't my kerosene heater light?

There could be a few different reasons as to why your kerosene heater will not light. First, you will want to check that it has enough fuel and that the kerosene has not gone bad. You can do this by removing the fuel tank’s cap and checking. If it seems low, be sure to refill the tank with kerosene.

How long should you let a kerosene wick soak?

It will need to be replaced. Wick is not saturated: This prevents it from making heat correctly. You always want to let the wick soak in kerosene for an hour before its first use or after it has been dry burned. You can do this easily by lowering the wick into the fuel after it is installed in your unit.

How to fix a wick on a heater?

First, turn off the heater. If you were using it, you will want to wait until the unit cools down before you touch it . In some cases, you are going to have to change the wick.

What to do if igniter is not glowing?

If your igniter is not glowing, you might want to check the batteries before you call a professional to help you. Replace the old batteries with fresh non-alkaline ones. If the igniter still is not glowing, then the igniter might be what needs to be replaced. Luckily, many igniter replacements are cost-effective.

What does it mean when a K-1 kerosene tank is smoking?

Smoke can also indicate that there is too much air compared to the amount of fuel in your unit.

Can a kerosene heater be fixed?

However, there are even more ways to fix them. If something is wrong, be sure to check the wick first. They often are the source of many issues. Fixing your heater can save you money, but it can be a hassle.

Why does my heater smoke?

Any smoking is a sign of incorrect fuel/air mixture and in most cases is caused by poor fuel atomization at the nozzle.

How long does a KFA heater spark?

At start up, our KFA Heaters will have spark for 20 seconds. The spark is only for initial lighting; the flame stays lit based on proper air and fuel balance.

What is a KFA heater?

The most common heaters you will see in the field are the Portable Kerosene Heaters (or Kerosene Forced Air, KFA).

Foul Smell

In case you start smelling a foul smell from the kerosene heater, here are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the issue.

Kerosene Heater Flickers But Goes Out Soon After

If you face a problem where your kerosene heater ignites without any issues but goes out after a short while. The below steps will troubleshoot the issue.

Kerosene Heater Wick Won't Raise

Begin by turning the kerosene heater off manually. After that, grab a screwdriver and start removing the screws that secure the cabinet of the kerosene heater. When all the screws are removed, lift it by the handle to remove the cabinet.

Troubleshooting Issues Related To The Wick

Even small issues with the wick can result in huge damages to the entire kerosene heater. So, it is very crucial to take good care of it and to look for any possible issues. To give you some extra help, we have listed a few problems related to wicks and their solutions.

1. Only Use 1-K Kerosene

There are two grades of kerosene: 1-K and 2-K. 1-K grade kerosene has a maximum of 0.04% sulfur whereas 2-K kerosene can have up to 0.3% sulfur.

2. Clean Old Kerosene

Yes, kerosene can go bad – especially if not stored properly. While old kerosene will usually still burn, it can produce smells or soot. Ideally, you should only use fresh kerosene in your appliances, especially heaters or cookers.

3. Stabilize Burner

If the burner is not sitting flat inside the kerosene heater, it will produce a lot of smoke and bad smells. See this video for instructions on how to light a kerosene heater and stabilize the burner.

4. Burn Off Dust Outdoors

Did you forget to clean your kerosene heater before putting it away last season? When you light the heater, the heat will burn any dust and debris on the heater – causing some nasty smells.

5. Clean the Fuel Tank

Sometimes the fuel tank in kerosene heaters can get gunky (especially if you stored it with fuel inside). If there is gunk in the tank, then the heater might smell even if you are using new fuel. You’ll need to clean the fuel tank.

6. Adjust the Wick Level

If your wick is turned too low, the kerosene won’t be able to burn completely and there will be smells. The ideal wick height for most kerosene heaters is ½ inch above the top of the burner, but check your heater’s manual for the best height.

7. Trim, Clean or Replace Wick

Over time, carbon deposits will form on your heater’s wick. Trimming the wick might be enough to remove deposits so it burns better. If the wick is very dirty, you may need to clean it or completely replace it.

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