Quadra-fire Castile: Flame on/off every 5mins

[Ramanonos]

I have a Quadra-fire Castile that turns on and lights fine, flame is big, then goes out (firepot smoldering -picture), then drops pellets after 5-10mins, lights up again, then flame goes out… over and over. Blower stays on since it never really cools down enough to shut off.. This cycles every 5-10 minutes. Here’s what I’ve done:

• Thorough deep clean as followed online video, including the removing blower for cleaning
• Replaced thermocouple wire unit (no change) and confirmed seating is 1 inch over pot
• Front door shuts tightly. I replaced with new OEM gasket (no difference)
• Ash door has always been a bit loose, gasket looks good, but has never been an issue. I just give it a push after latching. I added a nut to latch to make it seal (no difference). Still door is a bit loose, but again has never been an issue. I did notice seeing flame through gap in ash door (see picture).
• Tried 3 different brands of pellets. No difference

This forum is very knowledgeable. There’s a lot of talk about jumping wires, snap disks, vacuum switches, etc and I’m a bit lost. I was going to just buy the cheapest parts that are most commonly mentioned and start replacing.

Where should I start? Snapdisk 1-3? Vacuum switches? Hopper switch?

Any guidance is much appreciated. I would hate to replace the stove if it’s a relatively affordable fix.
Thanks

 

[zrock]

to me it sounds like its set for a thermostat and in on off mode, thermostat set at a point where it really cannot figure out where it needs to be. Someone been playing with the settings

 

[ARC]

Don't start throwing parts at it, a few test can narrow down what is wrong, very knowledgeable people on here willing to help. As zrock stated the place to start is Thermostat. Do you have one installed? Remove thermostat wires and replace with a wire between the two screws on back of stove this will illuminate the thermostat. Start stove is it still doing same thing? If now working it is bad thermostat or wire going to thermostat.

 

[ARC]

If you have a thermostat attached when was the last time you changed batteries?

 

[Ramanonos]

Thanks all for offering to help. Thermostat is an electric wall mounted programmable, the same one flawlessly working with same stove the past 4years
To be sure it’s not the thermostat, I took advice here on forum and I jumped the setting (pic).
Sadly the same result as before: Stove lights for 10mins, goes out for 5-10 mins, comes back strong for 10mins, out/on/out, etc until cycle dies after an hours and cools enough for blower to go out and stove shuts down. Usually after 45mins.

 

[johneh]

A question or two
When the stove starts does the combustion fan come on?
When the stove fires up do pellets continue to feed or does the feed stop
after a few minutes?

 

[Ramanonos]

it lights fine with pellets dropping and combustion fan. Main fan Blower eventually comes on when it gets warm enough.
It seems to stop dropping pellets and flame goes out and just smolders for 5-10mins, then drops pellets and lights up great, but only for 5mins. Cycle continues for 4-5 times until doesn’t light at all.

I’ve also tried unplugging and hotting reset button. We now know it’s not the thermostat given the jump test. What else do you folks think I should check next? I’ve read something about a vacuum sensor. Maybe hose is clogged?
Thanks

 

[johneh]

When was the last time the stove was cleaned from air intake to exhaust termination
and I mean all ash traps cleaned maybe even a leaf blower trick ?

 

[Ramanonos]

Thanks all. Stove working! It seems to have been an exhaust issue. I cleared the rubber tube from vacuum sensor by blowing through it, as well the outside T pipe, which I need to do more often. Both were fairly easy. Great forum here. Thanks.

 

[zrock]

good to hear you have it fixed, thanks for updating. Its always the simple things that get us