from what i have seen if the gap is big enough to spit ash out it is pretty obvious to find. the one here sounds like one that gives you a very faint smoke trail on ignition if it is not bieng disturbed by air movement. once the stove lights your visible clue is gone. my point is a pipe joint leak can be hard to find and is the most probable. i would bet when this is all over that is where the source of the problem is.