Mr Heater Troubleshooting and How to Guide

Mr. Heater’s product range includes electric, kerosene, and propane heaters, as well as vent-free units for home, office, and camping among other users. It is a popular brand known for its high quality and reliable heaters.

A number of issues with these heaters can be fixed by performing some troubleshooting. If you have issues with your Mr. Heater unit, follow the instructions we have given in this troubleshooting and how-to-guide to try to resolve it.

Mr. Heater Propane Heater Makes Noise When Lit

One possible cause for the heater producing a whistling noise when the burner is lit is turning the control knob to the HI position when the burner is cold. To fix the problem, try turning the control knob to LO when the burner is cold, and let it warm up for a minute.

There could also be air in the gas line that is causing the noise. Operate the burner until air is removed from the line. Have the gas line checked by the local gas company?

If your heater still makes noise, check on the air passageways. They might be blocked. As a remedy, you should observe minimum installation clearances.

A dirty or partially clogged burner orifice could also be the culprit. Try cleaning the burner orifice, or replace it with a new one.

If your heater produces a clicking/ticking noise just after you light the burner or shut it off it is usually nothing to worry about. It is common with most heaters due to the metal expanding while heating or contracting while cooling. However, if the noise is excessive you should contact a qualified service technician to check it out.

Why is There White Residue on My Mr. Heater Burner?

When heated, vapors from furniture polish, carpet cleaners, wax, etc, turn into white powder residue. You need to ventilate the room and stop using odor-causing products while the heater is running.

Mr. Heater Propane Heater Does Not Light

If the thermocouple is too far from the flame, this can cause the pilot to go out and shut down the heater.

To fix this, you need to move the thermocouple closer to the flame. If your propane heater sparks but will not light, the gas cylinder supplying it may be empty or the gas may be shut off.

Mr. Heater Shuts Off While in Use

If your heater shuts off in use but ODS operates, it could be because there is not enough fresh air available. Other possible causes are low line pressure or ODS/pilot is partially clogged.

Try the following troubleshooting instructions to fix the problem:

• Ensure there is enough air. Open the window and/or door for ventilation.
• Clean ODS/pilot.
• If the problem persists, contact your local gas company to check for low line pressure.

Troubleshooting Mr. Heater’s Gas Smell

If you smell a gas odor during combustion, it is could be because of the following possible reasons:

• There could be a foreign matter between the control valve and burner.
• Gas leak

To fix the problem, take apart the gas tubing and remove any foreign matter that may be present. If you suspect a gas leak, you need to locate and correct all leaks. Never use an open flame to check for gas leaks. Instead, apply a mixture of liquid soap and water to all joints. Bubbles forming indicate a leak.

Follow these instructions to test pressure in the gas supply piping system:

1. Disconnect the appliance and its main gas valve from the gas supply piping system at test pressures in excess of ½ psi (3.5kPa) or equal to or less than ½ psi for high and low pressure respectively.
2. Cap off the open end of the gas pipe where the equipment shutoff valve was connected.
3. Pressurize the supply piping system by either using compressed air or opening the main gas valve on or near the gas meter.
4. Check all connections and joints in the gas supply piping system. Apply a mixture of soap and water to gas joints. Bubbles forming show a leak.
5. Correct all leaks at once.
6. Depressurize and relieve pressure in the supply piping system.
7. Reconnect heater and equipment shutoff valve to gas supply.
8. Reconnected fittings must be checked for leaks.

To pressure test the heater gas connections:

1. Make sure the heater supply piping is connected and has been tested for leaks as described above.
2. Make sure the heater’s control knob is in the OFF position.
3. Open equipment shutoff valve.
4. Open the main gas valve or near the gas meter.
5. Check all joints from the equipment shutoff valve to the control valve. Apply a liquid soap and water mixture to gas joints. Check for bubbles, bubbles forming show a leak.
6. Fix all leaks at once.
7. Light heater.
8. Turn off the heater.
9. Replace the lower front panel.

Mr. Heater Giving Off a Bad Smell

There are different types of chemicals, that when drawn into the heater during its burning will react with the propane and make some disagreeable odors. The propane supplier may have added more of the odorizer to the propane.

First try the heater in a different area where no chemicals are used to see if the smell goes away and also try a different propane tank.

Motor Starts on My Mr. Heater But No Heat Comes Out

Check to see that your propane supply tank is turned on. Listen for the sound of the spark igniter, it should make a fast ticking sound. If it doesn’t, replace the igniter.

No Spark on Mr. Heater Vent Free Heater When I Push in Igniter Button

The battery is missing or is low. The igniter electrode or connection to it might be broken.

What is the Difference between Radiant and Blue Flame Heaters?

Radiant is infrared-style heat, which is when the glow from the heater will heat an object in the area. The heated objects then release the heat into the surrounding areas.

The blue flame is convection-style heat, which is when the heat heats the air around it. Like your home furnace. It is heating the air moving through it and pushing that warm air into the rooms.

Generally, if you have a lot of objects in the room, radiant heat would most likely be a better option. Open rooms would be more suited to the blue flame heat as there is more air movement.

How Do You Light a Mr. Heater Propane Heater?

Follow the steps below to light a propane heater:

1. Turn the valve control knob on the propane tank counterclockwise to open it.
2. Push in and turn the knob on the front or side of your heater to the “Start” or ‘Light” position.
3. Push and hold the knob to unlock the propane valve in the heater and send gas to the unit.

How Do You Clean the Pilot Light on Mr. Heater Propane Heater?

1. Turn the gas leading to your furnace off.
2. Open up the furnace cover and look at the pilot light and thermocouple.
3. Put both pieces on a towel or other soft surface which you can clean later.
4. Use a wire brush to scrub the pilot light and thermocouple.

How Do You Know If You Have a Bad Thermocouple?

If you cannot get the flame to light at all, and you are certain the gas is on, there is probably an obstruction in the pilot tube. If the flame lights and goes out when you release the gas control knob after holding it in for about 30 seconds, that is the sign of a thermocouple malfunction.

Mr. Heater Does Not Spark

Usually, the igniter itself needs to be cleaned with steel wool and readjusted. The igniter should be a 1/4 inches away from the orifice assembly. If this does not fix the problem, then make sure there is power going to the assembly. If so then the igniter is possibly bad or the board is bad and will need to be replaced.

My Mr. Heater Only Runs for a Few Minutes and Then Shuts Off

You need to have the right sized tank for the heater you are using. For every 50,000 BTU output, you need a minimum of a 20 to 40-pound LP tank. In below-freezing weather, you may need to double the size of your propane source to maintain a sufficient volume of flow for correct heater operation.

How to Troubleshoot Mr. Heater Big Maxx Heater

Troubleshooting your Big Maxx heater can help fix a problem it might have. To troubleshoot your heater, follow these steps:

1. Check to make sure there is proper, sufficient gas to the heater. Check to ensure the cylinder is attached and screwed tightly onto the heater receptacle and that there is sufficient pressure. Ensure you followed the installation and operating instructions in accordance with the Mr. Heater process,
2. Complete these checks, if the exhaust fan comes on briefly, then shut it off. Check all burners to verify they are all lighting. If all burners are lighting, replace the burner limit sensor because the sensor is not detecting the flame.
3. If the burners and sensor are not the problem, check the exhaust venting for too much backpressure. Review the installation instructions for the proper length of the exhaust venting. Look for any vent blockage after ensuring the correct length.
4. Test the combustion air pressure switch if the problem is not exhaust-related. Connect the red wire and brown wire to the switch. Check if the heater works; and if it does, replace the switch.
5. If all else checks out fine, double-check the gas supply. Make sure the gas supply is not shut off, and that there is gas to the heater.
6. If the LED is not on, indicating there is probably a wrong thermostat connected to the board, check that the power supply is connected first, making sure there is 110V to the heater. If that isn’t the problem, connect a 24-volt rated thermostat to the R and W terminals. Check terminals C and R for 24 volts. If you can’t get 24 volts at terminals C and R, replace the transformer. Replace the circuit board if both terminals and the power supply are okay.
7. Check the blower and exhaust motors. Replace them if they are running but there is no heat. Usually, this means that every limit sensor is activated. If the blower and exhaust motors are okay, replace the circuit board.

What Safety Features Does Mr. Heater Vent Free Heaters Have?

Vent-free heaters have two safety features. The thermocouple closes the gas valve if no flame is sensed and the ODS (Oxygen Depletion Sensor) will shut the heater down if the oxygen levels in the heated area go below 18 percent.

Why Does the Fan Start on My Mr. Heater Kerosene Heater But Only a Cloudy Mist Comes Out with No Heat?

Check to see the status of the spark electrode inside the back of the burner assembly by first unplugging the heater then pulling the top off and see if the heavy spark plug wires are connected to the spark electrode. If it is connected, pull the spark electrode out and check if it is wet. Also, check the gap between the electrodes. The gap should not be more than 1/8 or 0.013-0.015”.

Mr. Heater Kerosene Heater Fan Starts But Doesn’t Blow any Heat or Fumes

First, be sure there is fresh kerosene in the tank. Disconnect the power plug and pull the top of the heater off and check that all of the rubber air and fuel lines are connected, at the back of the motor/pump going into the fuel tank and by the back of the burner assembly.

Check this too: Are Kerosene Camping Heaters Safe?

Also, check to be sure that the rubber lines are not cracked or broken. Last, check the fuel filter inside the fuel tank to see if it is clogged. Then adjust the air pressure correctly.

My Kerosene Heater is Plugged In but Doesn’t Turn On

Be sure to unplug the heater first and pull off the top cover and check to see if something is blocking the fan blade from turning. Try turning the fan blade by hand to see if the motor is locked-up because of a broken rotor/air pump assembly. There is also a high limit sensor that if popped will not let the motor start.

Also, if the top cover is off the heater and there is a bright light or you are outside with the sunlight, this will prevent the heater from starting because of the photocell. Fan blade checks for obstructions and turn the blade by hand to check for motor bearing binding or air pump rotor restrictions.

Why is My Mr. Heater Electric Heater Run Continuously?

• Defective thermostat or wrong thermostat setting.
• Heat losses are higher than unit capacity (unit undersized).

Electric Heater Does Not Work

If your Mr. Heater electric heater doesn’t work, try checking for the following things and fix them accordingly:

• Defective thermostat or wrong thermostat setting.
• Open circuit breaker or fuse.
• The thermal overload switch has been tripped.
• Damaged or defective plug or outlet.

Why is My Electric Heater Overheating?

An overheating problem could mean a defective thermostat or blocked inlet or outlet. The motor could also be defective, or there is slow motor operation.