Bruce L. Bergman wrote:
On Mon, 19 Dec 2005 08:59:31 -0800, Abrasha
wrote:


Unfortunately, it was not just the pilot light that stayed lit. Gas was
also burning through a small leak below the brass nut (at red arrow in
bottom picture at http://www.abrasha.com/misc/heater_536.htm) that
attaches the "pilot tube" to the pilot light assembly. The pilot tube
connects the gas valve to the pilot light assembly. (see top picture)


Those compression fittings are unique to pilot lights - they look
like the same fitting used on a water line, but they're not. They are
machined as a single piece and the ferrule snaps away from the nut
when you tighten it all up.

You are right. That is exactly what I got today at the "real" hardware
store. It helps to know that the part I was looking for is called a
"Compression Control Nut".

BTW, the "real" hardware store I usually go to, the one where all the
professionals go every morning judging from all their pick up trucks at
7:30 AM, didn't have these parts.

We have a few damned good hardware stores here in SF. I always dread
having to go to Home Depot for anything.

And you are right that they are machined as a single piece. The person
who helped me, said that the double bevel ferrule will snap away when I
tighten the nut.


Go to a HVAC supply store and get a small coil of the 1/8" AL pilot
line tubing and a small batch of the right fittings.

The tube I needed was 1/4".

Because the AL
work hardens and cracks, if you try cutting and bending the existing
tubing to make it hit the connections you're liable to have a new
leak.

Same thing if the old tubing gets even the tiniest bit scarred up by
the tubing cutter, the ferrule won't make a seal.

-- Bruce --



--
Abrasha
http://www.abrasha.com