Kerosene torpedo heater

[Donald]

I am going through a kerosene heater I bought at a yard sale. I am looking in the combustion chamber beyond the nozzle and I see a lot of pieces of pink fiberglass.

I am thinking a mouse built a nest in there of pieces of fiberglass.

I do not see a reason why fiberglass would be in there from the factory. I also do not see an easy way to get it out.

But I thought I would ask.

 

[yonyon]

Park your truck outside. Put the torpedo heater near your truck. Spray some anti-freeze on some wiring under the hood of your truck. The fiberglass should naturally migrate from the heater to your truck's airbox within a few days.

 

[Lead Shoes]

Hmmm sounds odd, can we get a picture?

Originally Posted By: yonyon
Park your truck outside. Put the torpedo heater near your truck. Spray some anti-freeze on some wiring under the hood of your truck. The fiberglass should naturally migrate from the heater to your truck's airbox within a few days.


LOL.... WHAT?

 

[dishdude]

Maybe it was previously used on a construction site and sucked loose insulation into it.

 

[Fleetmon]

I know what yonyon is saying and it WILL work! Problem solved....at least one problem solved.

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted By: Fleetmon
I know what yonyon is saying and it WILL work! Problem solved....at least one problem solved.


Can you explain it please? Because I have no idea!

 

[GreeCguy]

I have an old propane torpedo heater that has no pink fiberglass in it whatsoever. Unless yours is of a different construction, I would guess you hit the nail on the head and a little mouse made him home therein. Could be the reason it was for sale at a yard sale as it wouldn't work and the previous owners didn't take the time to check it out.

Once again, not knowing the construction of yours, but I would think a long piece of wire would fish out said pink fiberglass.

 

[yonyon]

Originally Posted By: dishdude
Can you explain it please? Because I have no idea!


I just thought that if a mouse did put the fiberglass in there then surely there's another mouse that can get it out.

 

[Fleetmon]

yep....good explanation. A little antifreeze to lure them in (the scent/sweetness draws them to a nibbling source - wires), nesting material close by (f/glass in the heater), and a nice secluded homestead (the airbox) for all of the little ones.

 

[Rick in PA]

Well, that took me a couple of hours "to get". Since antifreeze is toxic... What does one do to neutralize the smell of dead mice in the airbox? (Oh, I so detest the smell of mice.)

 

[yonyon]

The antifreeze (only a small amount is required) won't kill the mouse before it does the job if at all. If the mouse eventually dies from old age or some other thing this could be an issue.

That's what the engine's for. It cools the mouse and speeds up dehydration to slow decomposition. While it's doing it's work any odors pass through the engine and the usual combustion means you don't have to smell any mousiness. Once the mouse is mummified you can simply pick it up and discard it at your convenience.

 

[Chris142]

Antifreeze has had a bitterant added for atleast the last 10 yrs to prevent critters from drinking it. So they wont drink it unless you have some very old coolant

 

[Donald]

I live in the country and so far I have caught 1 mouse in a trap in the basement. I guess my black cat is doing a good job of deterring them. In the past I have seen mouse parts but none this year.

So I would say any fiberglass in the kerosene heater is from prior owner.

There seems to be a lot that can go wrong on a kerosene torpedo heater (fuel strainer, air pump, nozzle, ignition, spark plug, safety electric eye) and they are pretty cheap on CL. So I will try and get this working without spending too much money.

DESA seems to have made a lot and went out of business, but some parts are available from www.masterparts.net.

 

[Fleetmon]

I heat my 30x60 garage with a 135k BTU unit....it's a little expensive fuel wise but I can work in short sleeves on the coldest days.