What are the symptoms of a bad gas valve?

1. Gas Valve Wires

Cracked or frayed wires could indicate that you need to replace your furnace due to its age or that something has scorched the wire. If the wire looks disabled in any way, replace it and continue your diagnosis. If it is time for you to look for a furnace replacement company, look no further.

2. Gas Valve Coil

You can check the coil at the gas valve and it’s resistance using your two-meter leads on each terminal. If the reading says OL, you have a bad coil.

3. Ignition Source

Turn off your furnace before completely this step
There are two ways a furnace ignites the gas air mixture that comes into it; it does so either through the pilot light or electronic furnace ignition.

• • If your furnace has a standard pilot light, you will be able to see it by looking underneath your furnace at the tray where the burners are, the pilot light is located to one side of this tray just barely above it usually. A furnace pilot light is a small flame that is constantly on burning a small amount of gas persistently which makes it easy to identify even if your furnace is off. If you do not see a small flame, carefully take a long lighter/match to try to light it again.
  • If your furnace has an electronic furnace ignition, it has a safer system and is not using a constant amount of gas, when it is off, it’s off. Underneath your furnace, the electronic ignition should be in the same place as the pilot light.
  • To test if this is the source of your problem, look under your furnace after trying to start it up and see if it’s glowing. You will also hear a clicking, however, if you are hearing a persistent/repeated clicking noise, this usually means your ignitor is not coming on. If this issue comes up, turn off your furnace and give it some time before attempting to fix it. Once you’re ready, very gently reach in and clean the igniter and the area around it, emphasis on gently because the ignitor tip is very fragile. Cleaning the ignitor can clear up any carbon build up that may be preventing it from coming on.
  • If your furnace is not lighting, it could also be a sign that your heat exchanger is damaged. There are several indicators that your heat exchanger could be the issue such as loud sounds coming from the unit, soot build up or furnace cracks and corrosion.

4. Inconsistent flame

The flame might be coming on for a few seconds but then shutting off. To check and solve this issue you can see if the voltage is off or the gas pressure is low to the valve by putting a “T” (fitting in line with the hose) to connect to your manometer. Check the input and output side to see if the pressure is decreased on either side of the valve. Another reason for inconsistent flame is that the flame sensor or gas furnace regulator may not be sensing the flame which would signal the gas valve to either shut off or for the gas to keep running when it’s not supposed to.

5. Safety trip

• If the direction of the flame isn’t going straight into the hollow metal heat exchanger, a safety trip will be triggered. If a small part of the flame is veering to the left or right, this is an indicator that something needs fixing. One thing to keep in mind is sometimes rust can build up on the crossover channels but can be safely cleaned with a wire brush. Clean the end of the burner assembly closest to the heat exchanger. Then place the burner correctly into the channel and see if that fixes it.
• Another safety trip that can trigger the system to shut off after booting up first is the high limit switch. If the furnace runs for a few minutes, then shuts off, the inside of the furnace might be getting too hot. Check whether the evaporator coil is dirty.
• The other reason the high limit could open is the blower motor speed could be set too low. To reset your high limit switch, check your installation guide as a reference, this should tell you where the settings are supposed to be.

6. Ductwork

If the return ducts are crushed, then the furnace may be suffocating due to inability for air to flow. See that the duct is perfectly round and the fuel around it doesn’t look questionable, otherwise, this could be your problem. Another airflow issue that could be present is a dirty air filter, be sure to change the filters once every 3 months in your furnace.

A faulty gas valve is one of the major furnace problems you may encounter. Such a problem can be unfortunate during the cold season in Ruther Glen, VA. With fall and winter fast approaching, you need to have your furnace on peak performance, delivering the much-needed fuel to keep your house cozy. Here are some signs that indicate your furnace has a bad gas valve.

A Gas Leak

This is a major indicator that something could be wrong with the gas valve in your furnace. A faulty gas valve can allow fuel to leak into the surrounding air. A gas leak poses a safety hazard to your health and property, as a spark could potentially start a fire. If you notice a gas leak, you should exit your house immediately. Next, contact a furnace repair and maintenance professional to assess the damage and offer a lasting solution.

A Total Shutdown of the Furnace

If your furnace shuts down completely and ceases to deliver the much-needed warm air into your house, which could indicate a failing or malfunctioning gas valve. However, that could also signal many other furnace problems, so it’s best to call in a professional HVAC technician professional HVAC technician to be certain.

A Flooded Furnace

If your gas furnace submerges in water, its valve might malfunction. Expert HVAC technicians recommend that you change the component whenever you find yourself in such a situation, even if you feel that too much water didn’t seep in, or the gas furnace was only partially submerged. That’s a basic safety rule you shouldn’t overlook!

Get Expert Services

Are you a resident of Ruther Glen, VA, seeking HVAC service? Ultimate Air, Inc. is the company to call. We offer furnace maintenance service furnace maintenance service to keep your heater in top-notch condition and ensure you stay warm during the cold nights. We also work on heating and AC repair and installation. Our technicians are available 24/7, so we’ll respond to your calls promptly, especially during emergencies. Call us today.

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