Napoleon Gas Fireplace: Pilot flame appearance diagnosis and adjustment
Pilot flame appearance diagnosis and adjustment on a Napoleon gas fireplace: Read the pilot flame to find the cause; correct flame covers 3/8"-1/2" of the thermocouple/thermopile.
Applies to: Napoleon gas fireplaces - direct vent, natural vent and vent-free (general service manual)
Common causes of pilot flame appearance diagnosis and adjustment
- Drafts
- High gas pressure
- Wrong or small orifice
- Clogged primary air or orifice
- Low pressure, clogged or leaking pilot tube
How to fix pilot flame appearance diagnosis and adjustment: step by step
- Waving blue flame: check for drafts at the pilot.
- Noisy, lifting, blowing flame: check for high gas pressure.
- Hard, sharp flame: high pressure or orifice too small.
- Lazy yellow flame: clogged primary air opening or clogged orifice.
- Small blue flame: wrong orifice, low pressure, clogged pilot tube or pilot tube leak.
- Adjust: remove the cap screw (if fitted), turn the pilot screw clockwise to reduce, counter-clockwise to increase.
If the unit shows an error code, look it up: Napoleon Gas Fireplace codes
Models
Source: Napoleon (Wolf Steel) Service Manual W415-0118, Part 5 Testing & Adjustments, Testing: Pilot Flame p.40; Adjustments: Pilot Flame p.41. Written in our own words as a summary; always check the original manual.
General guidance for qualified technicians. The manufacturer's installation and service manual and local codes always take priority. Aurora Star Tech is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by any equipment manufacturer; brand and model names are used only to identify equipment and belong to their owners.