Oven will not ignite

[JR51]

Greetings campers,
I'm having a problem with my propane Magic Chef oven. The pilot lights fine but when I turn oven temp up it only makes the pilot flame a bit higher. Cleaned with small wire brush but no better. Just used oven 3 days before problem and worked fine. Manual does not help regarding this problem
Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions

[StirCrazy]

Mr. C wrote:
30yr old stove? Maybe it's time to replace it...

the one in my camper is 31 years old and works like new. age has nothing to do with it in simple sstems as long as there mintained

[Mr__C]

30yr old stove? Maybe it's time to replace it...

[JR51]

Trying to find where to get parts. Stove pre 1996 magic Chef Cooktop and range. Then try to figure out what the suspect part is.
Thanks for help and suggestions

[wa8yxm]

smthbros wrote:

eHoefler wrote:
When you turn the oven on and to a temperature, the pilot flame increases, then it will warm up the thermocouple, when the thermocouple comes up to temp, it will open the main gas valve to the burner. The time it will take depends on temperature the thermocouple starts at and altitude you are at. The thermocouple is a non electric device that is filled with freon, when heated it will build pressure and press on a button in the main gas valve.

A thermocouple is an electrical device. What you have described is a vapor bulb.

You are correct Smthbros.. I used to think it was a vapor tube. It's not. it's a Thermocouple Generates a bit of current/voltage (about .480 volts and however much current the solenoid latching coil sucks at that voltage don't ask I've never measured).

The valve in the control valve is a magnetic latching normally closed valve. You push the button and the valve opens (or whatever you need to do to light) Light up and hold the button till the thermocouple is up to temp, voltage and current. then the current flowing "Latches" the valve open.. The magnet is not strong enough to open the valve as that takes many many times more 'Strength" than to hold it once manually opened.

[smthbros]

eHoefler wrote:
When you turn the oven on and to a temperature, the pilot flame increases, then it will warm up the thermocouple, when the thermocouple comes up to temp, it will open the main gas valve to the burner. The time it will take depends on temperature the thermocouple starts at and altitude you are at. The thermocouple is a non electric device that is filled with freon, when heated it will build pressure and press on a button in the main gas valve.

A thermocouple is an electrical device. What you have described is a vapor bulb.

[eHoefler]

When you turn the oven on and to a temperature, the pilot flame increases, then it will warm up the thermocouple, when the thermocouple comes up to temp, it will open the main gas valve to the burner. The time it will take depends on temperature the thermocouple starts at and altitude you are at. The thermocouple is a non electric device that is filled with freon, when heated it will build pressure and press on a button in the main gas valve.

[wa8yxm]

You said it makes the pilot a bit bigger.. not sure it should do that. (not sure it should not)
Two suspects are the gas jet.. not sure where that is but look for the air admittance windows (usually two rectangles where the large burner pipe connects to something OTHER than the burner. The jet is in the smaller part A bone drill is suggested for cleaning (If you can unscrew it do so) Bone drills at welding supply.

And the control valve (that's an OUCH part).

[toedtoes]

Your fuel line may be blocked up. Is your lighting and the burner flames adjusting normally?

It could be a faulty thermocouple (if you have one - not all magic chef ovens do).

[JR51]

Thanks for input. Did all of above. No change. Theres only one screw to the right of oven knob on my unit that controls pilot only.

[toedtoes]

Did you check the gas line behind the oven to make sure it's not kinked?

And did you adjust the screws next to the oven dial?

[JR51]

Took what I could apart. Cleaned and inspected. Reassembled with same results. Pilot lights, turn up oven and pilot light puts out a 3 inch flame with no ignition. Solenoid? Any guesses because I'm getting no help from Magic Chef and no schematic in manual.

[toedtoes]

There are a few things it could be. First, it could be clogged up. To fix, take apart the burner assembly and clean it. Second, check to make sure the gas line behind the stove isn't kinked. Third, there is a small screw next to (might be covered by) the oven dial. That adjusts the pilot light. To the right of the dial should be a second screw - that adjusts the broiler burner.

[ReneeG]

Following in case this happens to us.

[way2roll]

nickthehunter wrote:
Try cleaning the flame proofer. It’s the small metal rod that sticks out into the pilot light flame.

The thermocouple? That only uses milliamps to keep the solenoid open to allow gas flow. If the pilot stays lit, the thermocouple would not be the problem.