60's Magic Chef Oven Pilot Assembly/Feed tube

[davidatlas]

Time to start a new thread on my journey to a functional vintage stove!

Cleaning the pilot with a toothbrush, needle, and compressed air didn't fix it. I was pretty sure that the pilot tube was clogged. I had previously disconnected it from the safety mechanism and gas was flowing there, but I was afraid to disconnect the upper part of the tube because I didn’t want to force it and risk breaking the entire thing. So, I caved and called a local vintage appliance “repairman” to take a look....

After doubting my diagnosis and cussing about how “old” my stove is, the “repairman” confirmed that the pilot needed to be thoroughly cleaned, but he didn’t want to disconnect the feed tube either!!!!! He felt that the tube could break and he didn’t want to be responsible and would be “laughed at” if he asked his parts supplier for that tube.

So I can chalk that $75 up to trusting my guts, and at least I’ve confirmed the issue. >_<

The model # of my stove has been etched off of the ID plate, but on my last thread AutomaticWasher member Oliger confirmed that my pilot assembly is identical to that on his Magic Chef Model #GS3141

Still, that model # doesn’t turn up any parts online. I found similar looking tubing on Amazon ( “Robertshaw 11-291 1/8" Tubing with Fittings, 5" Roll, Aluminum” ) -- but I'm concerned about the ferrule and nuts to connect each end.

I’m wondering if it would be smarter to replace the entire pilot assembly (if they’re available)? I had hoped that parts for this would be available since some basic parts might be borderline “universal”, but without a model # to go off of I'm at a loss, again. So close, but so far!!

 

[lorainfurniture]

Do you need to clean that aluminum tube? Those brass nuts should unscrew with minimal effort. You need to make sure you have a wrench on the other side to keep everything still.

 

[davidatlas]

The tube needs to come off to unblock the pilot. As he was trying to get the tube off it started to leak and he had to re-tighten it -- I was lead to believe that the tube would almost certainly break when it was removed to clean the pilot. With that said, I'll get out another wrench and give it a whirl. Would be nice to have a replacement or Plan B on hand, though.

 

[combo52]

1/8" Aluminum pilot feed tube

Give the top nut a little squirt of penetrating oil, it will unscrew easily and if you do destroy it it is easy to replace.

 

A new pilot assembly would be great [ good luck finding one ] next best thing take it off the range and put it in a mild acid and let it soak and carefully clean it by blowing with compressed air etc, this often gets these to work again.

 

John

 

[lorainfurniture]

If the tube started to leak when he started unscrew it it’s because he was unscrewing it? Seriously though you have nothing to lose. If you break the tube (you won’t) you will still have a non functional oven.

If you break it get ahold of me I’m pretty sure I have some of that tubing laying around.

 

[rp2813]

"The tube . . . started to leak . . ."

Am I understanding correctly that the so-called professional didn't even shut off the gas before messing around with the tubing? 

 

SMH

 

[davidatlas]

Thanks for all your responses. I'll try some PB blaster on it tonight and let you know how I make out!

The "professional" didn't trust the built-in oven shut-off valve (that I confirmed was working and offered to turn myself) because it was "old". Ridiculous!!

 

[oliger]

Like others have said, those tubes are easily unscrewed. It should also be pretty flexible. Try unscrewing it and shoot some compressed air in it. Did you have to switch out anything for the oven on your conversion to natural gas?