Monitor 441 blinking status lights

[kgottlieb@scf.cc]

I rebuilt my 8 year old 441 about 2 years ago repacing parts and gaskets and burn cloth as recommended on this site. It has worked exceptionally well set at 50 degrees in alaska winters in a cabin. This year after about 3 days of spring use (70 degrees) it would fire up for about 5 minutes then quit, leaving the burner status lights blinking. It would do this repeatedly. Firing up, producing some heat, then quitting leaving the blinking lights. I removed and cleaned the flame sensing rod which looked pretty clean except for soot around the porcelain base. The heater then worked perfectly for about 3 days. I tried to clean the rod again and this did not help.Back to blinking burner status lights. I changed the filter on the tank which I had not done for 10 years. Again the heater worked perfectly for about 3 weeks. Then return of the blnking status lights. Yesterday I opened the burn pot, cleaned everything with a vacuum ( lots of soot ) cleaned the fuel nozzle with wire, cleaned the sensing rod ( which did not look too bad ). So far it is working fine but I have no confidence that I ever really found the problem. I am considering changing the burn cloth again although it doesn't look too bad. Suggestions?

Thanks
kevin

[hawkins111]

after a tough winter

Kevin,

The last winter was a hard one here in Alaska. Cold for months on end, which meant the Monitor had to work pretty hard to keep up. If you were not at your cabin for any length of time you may have missed the air side of the flue being frosted. This would have shut down the air some what or all together depending on the extent. The stove could have built up soot and now needs an overhaul. If you do the combustion chamber you should also clean the heat exchanger at the same time. You will be surprised how much carbon has built up right at the exit. You should also clean the sump filter. If it’s been 10 years, it’s about time.

Good luck,

Tom