Tappan Deluxe- Oven won't light

[hazelatlas]

Hey Gang,

Trying to troubleshoot reasons for my oven not lighting. I haven't taken anything apart yet, and I'm hoping it's a simple fix. I'm pretty handy but I just got this baby so I haven't had time to take her apart, and I'm not sure where to start.

She's an early 1950's Tappan Deluxe. Gas is on and burners are working fine. I'm pretty sure it's a Robert Shaw thermostat. See photos (not in her full glory yet, I'm taking her apart for cleaning).

The oven pilot is lit and stays lit, with a blue flame. I turn the oven dial to 'Manual' and then turn the temperature gauge up to say, 350, and hold a lit match or lighter next to the burner, and I smell gas but the burner itself does not light.

Could this be an issue with my safety? I'm not sure how to figure it out, and there doesn't seem to be anyone in Pittsburgh who works on antique stoves (there was one guy, but he's retired now and won't come out-Andrews Range Service). If any Western PA folks out there know of anyone I can call, let me know...thanks so much!!

 

[mwb]

Tappan Deluxe

I had a Tappan Deluxe in a previous residence. Great old stove by-the-way. I had the same problem you are having. It turned out to be a bad thermocouple. Easy to replace. Bought mine at Ace hardware for less than 10 bucks.

Mark

 

[whirlykenmore78]

Bad thermocouple:

It could just have corrosion on it's surface. This would cause it to build enough electrical resistance to hold a pilot flame but not let the combination control open the burner valve. I have seen this happen in water heaters. If cleaning the TC does not work, replace it. If that does not work replace the entire combination control.
WK78

 

[stevet]

Replace don't clean!

If you are going to go thru the trouble of cleaning the thermocouple, you might as well invest the few bucks to replace it and not have to guess or worry about it not working in the near future.
That is an old TS11 safety in there and may be at the end of it's useful life. They are still available and some are very generic so you may have to match one up. Or you could take the old one out and take it to a good plumbing supply house or a place like Johnstone or Graingers.
When and if you replace the thermocouple DO NOT over tighten it into the safety valve. There is actually a small insulating washer between the copper sheath and the aluminum colored end that threads int the valve. If you crush it, the tcouple will be shorted out and not work. A little bit tighter than hand tight should be sufficient.

 

[bldn10]

I have the same stove but my problem is a bit different. As soon as I turn the knob to Manual the burner lights w/ a big flame that goes down as temp rises. So far so good. The problem is that it never goes off - it just stays on and the temp rises continuously regardless of the temp setting. Could this also be the thermocouple? Or is it the thermostat itself? Rebuilding it is $400. :-( Thanks.

Bill/Memphis