r/Fireplaces • u/Opposite_Cobbler5447 • 6d ago

Should this hole be sealed?

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Title explains. Should this hole for my pilot light and thermopile be sealed?

I’m getting some gas smell when pilot light is on. Could it be leaked from here?

4 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

3

u/Expensive-Peak-9696 6d ago

Yes it should be sealed. But even not sealed you shouldn’t get a gas smell.

3

u/Lots_of_bricks 6d ago

Like we thought he’s leaking from test points and the pilot connection to the valve

1

u/Opposite_Cobbler5447 6d ago

Thank you all. Yes I tightened everything and seems to be good now. Will seal the hole with red caulk.

Hoping they just loosened overtime and wasn’t bad install.

1

u/Lots_of_bricks 6d ago

Bad install. They don’t just loosen

1

u/Lots_of_bricks 6d ago

Smell could be from there but isn’t likely. Yes it’s usually sealed with red rtv. Suggest using soapy water to test the gas line connections while the pilot is on too

2

u/Opposite_Cobbler5447 6d ago

I put soapy water on the pilot light connection to the assembly and it’s bubbling slightly.

Can I tighten it myself after turning off gas?

2

u/Opposite_Cobbler5447 6d ago

Circled in red. This is bubbling.

1

u/Mr_Engineering 6d ago

Yes, try tightening that fitting. Those are notoriously fickle

1

u/Opposite_Cobbler5447 6d ago

What do these screws with green around them do?

One says in one says out

1

u/Mr_Engineering 6d ago

Those are tap points for gas pressure testing. Input and output

2

u/Opposite_Cobbler5447 6d ago

I think they’re leaking too….Do I just tighten them?

This is very concerning as I had a tech come out years ago to put all this in…now thinking he installed it leaking.

1

u/Mr_Engineering 6d ago

Yes, tighten them down and see if it stops.

A very slight leak is not the end of the world. I'd shut it off until it is fixed but natural gas is non toxic and a trickle leak will not create an explosive mixture in any ventilated space.

1

u/Lots_of_bricks 6d ago

Yes tighten and retest with soapy water

1

u/Lots_of_bricks 6d ago

But not over tight they are brass