Torpedo Kerosene Heater repair & HOW they work 

INSTALL A GAUGE TO ALWAYS MONITOR YOUR PRESSURE 0-15psi GAUGE(needs cheap adapter below): amzn.to/2UBLqCV Adapter to allow gauge to hook to heater: amzn.to/37enCaI Install a thermostat to stay comfortable and save fuel: amzn.to/2b2qj2h Keep yourself safe with a carbon monoxide detector: amzn.to/2b7h6Yr Ignition Module I used in the video amzn.to/3kWVCiD GHP 39E0-0008-00( any 39E0-00**-** will work the same (the length of the leads is the only difference in model numbers). The one I bought must have been on clearance as it was cheaper than what these are now. If you're replacing a single wire ignitor with one of these 2 spark plug lead wires units; ONE lead will hook to the existing spark plug and the other lead will ground out to the frame or housing that makes electrical contact with the outside(threads) of the spark plug. You can flatten out the end and put a screw in it or something similar. This differs from what I did in the video.

Nice straight forward to the point video. No crazy music or sales pitch. Thanks

Woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't sleep so I got up and started rummaging around on Ytube. Forget which videos I started with but pretty soon I noticed a pattern: most of the videos I was choosing were by this 'sixtyfiveford' guy and they were great. Unfortunately, I didn't up thumb them. Then I saw this one with the picture of the Reddy Heater 55 which I have owned for about 2 or 3 decades. To start mine I have to enrich the mixture a bit by blocking the air intake with a piece of paper for 1 second then it runs well. This video has encouraged me to get into it and set it up properly. And up thumb this video! Thank you, sir sixtyfiveford!!

Just wanted to thank you for your video. I have the reddy heater 55 also, although mine uses a glow igniter. I went through and checked each of the areas you mentioned. Everything seemed to be working individually (glow, fuel, air), but my issue was that my heater would run for 30 seconds to a minute then shut down. I finally pulled the fuel line and blew down into the tank to clear it. When I did, fuel came back up through the line??? So, I figured that the tank was pressurizing. Come to find out, the breather hole in the fuel filler cap had debris and rust in it that clogged it shut preventing the heater from drawing fuel because of the vacuum it created after a minute or so. Just thought I'd share in case someone else could use the info.

Excellent video, not a lot of fluff and you get right to the point. My heater quit lighting off last winter, had to throw a rag over the back of it (put on the choke?) to get it started. Did a complete tune up on it today and your information really was a big help in figuring out how the heater basically works. My heater actually had a crack in the plastic air pump back housing, losing pressure. Sealed it up, adjusted the pressure, new spark plug and filter, general cleaning - works like new. Thanks for the video!

I always wondered how these worked and currently want to buy one, thanks for such an informative yet simple video. Subscribed.

My heater was lighting very lazily and sometimes misfiring and smoking out my garage, I use diesel too so it's bad!!! I adjusted the air pressure after watching this video just like you did and woof! It fired up and is running better than ever! Huge shout out to you for making this video, I was about to throw it in the trash

I thought you had a pirate hook for a hand at first!

This helped. I've been soaking the fuel tank of my Reddy Heater 79 in Evapo Rust and tumbling with nuts and bolts to remove rust from the interior of the tank. I was not sure how fuel was drawn in but now it's all clear. Thank you for creating this video.

Thanks so much for all the things you do for so many on here.It really helps people out when you show what to do about certain situations.your a real nice man.

Great step by step. I don’t think I have a spark plug, but if I do it will be a simple fix. Also really appreciate it. Great teacher

Dude- Awesome video! You're a great presenter-instructor,

7:25 I did too, but then nine months later our daughter came along. Great video. I thought I had done everything to get my old Homelite 65K BTU running again. It works, but could be alot better. It doesn't get nearly as hot as it should. I made sure all the plumbing was good and clear, fuel strainer screen was clean, impeller gap was set, everything save for checking the pump pressure since I didn't have a gauge. I knew the problem was either the impeller and its vanes were just too worn, the pressure bleedoff screw threads were too loose (or spring just no good), or the nozzle had an obstruction that carb cleaner and compressed air couldn't free up. After watching your video, I dug out my old Penske vacuum gauge and sure enough, 10PSI pressure range in .5PSI increments, widely spaced. Hooked it up and it did the trick. Pressure was too high so I set it to 4.0PSI since that was the closest I could estimate without being able to source a manual anywhere for this heater, and now I know both the pump assembly and bleedoff screw assembly are both good and that the problem is the nozzle. Now time to source a replacement for an obscure heater manufactured in 1973.....

Thanks! I have a different make and model (Thermoheat) but it's the SAME setup inside. Now that I understand the fuel/air system I'll look closer at the air filters and fuel quality to explain my puff of smoke. It's much better but not right after cleaning the the fuel filter/jet.

After searching for an hour and watching a pile of worthless videos I found yours. Great job, very informative and well done. Thank you.

thank you for a great tutorial. I really appreciate the schooling!

You inspired me to see if my reddy heater 35 I bought at Ace Hardware 25+ years ago still runs. Only used it once. I dusted it off, and you know what? It runs! Same kerosene still in it! I expected it to be goo. It's still running now. I want to burn that old kerosene off before storing it again. Maybe I should store it with fresh kerosene in tank and lines. Definitely will start using it this winter. I thought it would be dead from not used and old kerosene in it. It was stored in an aircraft hangar. Maybe dry environment helped preserve it. UPDATE: It ran for over an hour and hardly used any kerosene. Yes it was burning I could feel the hot air. Really efficient heater. I will not be able to burn off kerosene that has been in tank 25+ years. I can't stay with it that long. The air filter turned to powder. Blew it out with compressed air. I can fabricate a new one.

great video man, much appreciated, very clear and concise, it has helped me decide finally on a heater for my shop, cheers

Sweet people don't appreciate people anymore that take there own time and effort to show people how to save money and fix stuff I say hats off to you sir and thanks so much for the video.

great and informative video you are a easy to follow instructor

Not sure why this just popped up in my feed but kudos to the excellent info. I have one sitting under my work bench. I should probably dig it out and give it some compressed air.

Great video, had to smile your shop looks just like mine. good stuff everywhere.

This freaking guy has videos on almost everything that is broken around my house.

Dude everytime I look up a video it always seems like i end up watching yours first! Good job. Is there anything I should be doing to my heater as maintenance??

I have a Reddy Heater R50 that the motor went out on. Last month I put in a New motor, hoses and spark plug. I had to fine sand (400) the rotor in the air pump to keep it from binding when I tightened the screws up. The heater would not Ignite. I read all your comments (Thank You!) and figured it had to be air pressure as I had spark and New Kerosine flowing out the nozzle. Got a gauge and found the best I could get out of it was 1.5 psi. It was finally Warm enough to work on the Heater again today. (scratch head here) I got a new air pump rotor and put it in today and set the rotor clearance to .003. With the new rotor, it went up to 2.6 psi and that was enough to allow the fuel to atomize and ignite. FINALLY!! It is Supposed to be set at 3.6 psi and I tried everything I could to crank it up but it would not go any higher. The cone is not getting as Red as it should. I cleaned out the air pump spring and ball. Should I replace the plastic pump cover and spring and ball? I do not see any cracks. It looks like the adjusting screw is All the way in for Max pressure and still only 2.6 psi. Have you heard of any New Motors having a problem with correct RPM's? What else could it be? Thanks again.

Permanently mount a pressure gauge to your heater so you can always make sure it's running safely. LOOK in the video description for details.

Nice to have someone that has worked on a reddy heater break it down in a video. Thanks. Now i can fix mine

ok thanks i will post a video on my videos on the size and how powerful it is, if you stand within 3 feet of it your cloths will actually get to hot to rub against your skin

You are an excellent teacher. You were thorough and to the point. An actual academic teacher would have made this a 50 minute video and gone BLAH, BLAH, BLAH for most of the time and the audience would be asleep or lost.

I have six Dayton heaters broken at work, that have had me scratching my head, since they have no problem with fuel or spark. I never knew they had a photo cell on them, until I watched your video. I have a feeling that's the problem with all of them, since they're pushing ten years old, so I'm going to check them tomorrow. Great video, with lot's of info. Thanks for sharing.

Just picked one up second hand (and CHEAP), having some issues, so wound up here. VERY nice video told me exactly what I needed to know, thanks!

Thank You! I have a Reddy Heater 70 that looks identical. I bought it new in 1997 and shamefully have done zero maintenance. It just stopped on me and I did not know where to begin. I am confident with a little TLC and help from this video I will have it back up and running in no time. Great Video.

I have a couple of these and I never fooled with them now I know how to work on them! I figure with two or three of them I may be able to build one ! This us great not the greatest smell but beats freezing and thanks for sharing great video man!

We call these salamander heaters for some reason. But I didn’t know how those work. Very cool.

I bought this EXACT one in 1997 at Home Depot I think. Anyway, I just used this the last 2 days at work. Never have had to repair anything on it. Serious quality.

Discovered my air pump veins were sticking. Cleaned with brake cleaner, they had a sticky film on them. Reinstalled, had to readjust air pressure, runs like new now! Thanks for the info!!

top man, I knew the people from over the Pond were clever but not just how clever, now I know as much as you, top editorial thanks

I'm 1:40 in and this has been amazingly helpful! I now know ive broken my air pump while trying to work out why it wouldnt start up. Hopefully i can swap in air pump from my scrap one, then work out , with the help of the rest of this vid, what the original problem is!

Hey sixtyfiveford...just a shout out for your excellent video! I have this exact same heater...for over 25 years now...its been a great unit. I have never had any problem trouble shooting any issues that have sprung up until now. Your video post gave me a couple of other things to look at...Victory!....I thank you wholeheartedly...keep up the great work, and I hope you have a nice holiday season!!

We have a Reddy we bought in 1990 , we have not use in 15 years , [ today Jan. 9th 2024 ] having some problems with . Thanks for the info .

Wow your shop really improved after all these years. Excellent.

Dude you just saved my butt. I've had this heater for 10 years an no problems, and a couple months ago it stopped working. This video just urged me to tear into it, and the first thing I see is a dried-up leaf sitting in front of the optical sensor. Painless. Thanks for kicking me into action!

I've used a kero wick type heater for over 20 years, and have had three "max smoke" events in the past two years (one with a new wick). I am now sold on these, although the one I bought is a little noisy - I'll have to turn it off during Prairie Home Companion (Sat. p.m.) and Mountain Stage (Sun. p.m.)

I picked up a Dayton 110,000 btu Oil Fired Heater from Craigslist today for $75.00. Couldn't resist. I have a 1500 sq.ft. shop and this thing fired right up and warmed up my shop in 15 to 20 minutes....it was only down to 45 degrees or so here in Oregon today. Gonna try the straight diesel with it tomorrow...see how she does ! Wish me luck ! Thanks for another tip SixtyFiveFord !

Had one that would run with the cover off but trip out with the cover on. Found out the nozzle was worn out. Replaced it and it cured the issue.

Man , Your videos are so helpfull, Thank you .Im Freezin my balls off here in Western Ireland ,no insulating in me boat shed. I hav no spark on my heater..i think my coil is busted now as it has cracks in the back of plastic housing. I Tested the electrode while running. with phase tester ,and no voltage. Gonna try amazon and grab that one you mentioned or similar. I hav to say you are one ingeniously innovative man ! Yer videos amaze me. And im NOT easily amazed.

65Ford.........I have two of those heaters I resurrected from someone's junk and about pulled my hair out until I watched your video and read the very informative comments. One is running and the other will be soon. Thank YOU !!

Good basic info, I didn't know they had a Pneumatic pump for that Venturi effect creating a carburetor type vacuum for the fuel to spray out the nozzle. Thank you for sharing man.

I have a newer torpedo heater but it's good to know that I can now do some basic repairs if needed. Great idea for a video, it will come in handy.

I got it running last night. It had a faulty fuel line. Appreciate you teaching what to look out for. Great Job! Thank you for the reply!

I thought you had a hook for a hand, but it was the trouble light at 1:16. Thanks for the info.

Thanks so Much! Just fixed an old heater I had in the shop not working in 5 years, in 2 min. just low pressure. Thanks for breaking it down and sharing your knowledge!

Excellent tutorial. Pete down at SWRNC is going to love ya for this one cause he just went out and bought a new heater cause his konked out. So now he will have a spare after he gets Toni to fix the one he replaced. Great video. Thanks.

I have a Reddy Heater 35 that keeps cutting out, so this video will be big help to me

Thanks just bought one at yard sale for $15 now it’s coming apart ! Garage get cold building bikes in the winter ! Score

My Reddy Heater R55 will not run properly with the upper shell installed. Initially, the unit wasn't sparking, so I replaced the transformer ignition control and installed a new spark plug. That fixed the sparking issue. However, this new shutoff issue was discovered. I elected to replace the lint filter, intake filter, and output filter, as those pieces all looked pretty old. The filter end cover was cracked on the side and spitting out air, which I replaced. After the same issue continued and the unit shut off after a few minutes with the upper shell on, I replaced several other things. This included the photocell, nozzle and adapter, the adjusting screw, spring, steel ball, and the 1/8" ID air and fuel lines. After digging deeper into this, I noted the old 3/16" ID air line was leaking with a bit of soapy water, my dad's best trick for finding leaks. One thing to note, when I have the upper shell off, I have set the pressure to 3.4 PSI (per the side label), but when I put the upper shell on, the PSI drops to below 3.0 unless I hold the gauge still. When I hold it, the gauge reads 3.4 PSI. A couple of final things to note on this journey. 1) The fuel cap does not look to have a gasket but it seems to breathe properly with the hole in the center of the cap. 2) Before any issues started, I was running pump kerosene. Since then, I filled up with 10 gallons of jet fuel at a local airport and wondered if I got bad fuel from them. I plan to run through the last 7 gallons or so of jet fuel with the upper shell off and then try a couple of gallons of pump kerosene to see if that resolves the problem. Beyond all of my attempts, I am at a loss and could use some help. I've spent more on these repairs than the unit is worth but started the process in hopes of fixing the heater, as my wife's grandfather gave it to me a couple of years ago. In hindsight, I should have just bought a new unit, but here I am.

After watching, i may have to check, those igntion coils, one in each heater...thanks again , SIR....

Well one of the best walkthroughs I've seen on these heaters!!

Good subject and very good presentation - I wondered how those torpedo heaters worked, now I know! Thanks!!

Thanks for the video. Could not find my manual and the Mr. Heater (75k),web site let me down for a pdf. Opening the covers found spark and fluid atomizing. Found rubber hose from air pump to atomizer cracked. Replaced hose and all is good. Same dia. (id & od) for air and fuel. 2 feet will cover the replacement of both.

Like OTC said...an other great video. I've never had one, but now that I know how they work I'll keep an eye out for one that doesn't work and be able to fix it. Thx

Thanks for reply. Had the fuel jet out for cleaning and looked fine but gave it a good clean in any case. Bought this heater new a number of years back but it would not have a great deal of hours use. Had contaminated kero in it a couple of weeks ago and i drained it out, flushed tank and then power hosed it inside. Stood it on it's end overnight to drain onto paper roll and then heated tank with hot air gun to ensure no moisture remained. When I went to start it up there was no fuel delivery to the new fuel filter so took it to local guy for testing/repair. New parts fitted ref to pump area but now I find it throws out flame at all levels of PSI adjustment. Also has to be kept on high PSI setting otherwise the Kero fumes are unbearable. If it was only an adjustment I would be happy to do that otherwise it will be going back to previous repairer to set up correctly.

awesome vid, you really helped me out here. I'm up in Wisconsin and make knives for a living, and I cant make knives in my shop when it's -20 unless i have a heater. Well my heater wouldn't ignite, it's a much older model than what you were showing in this vid, but still had similar guts. i was able to pull the plug, check the spark, clean the plug and get everything working again all in about 20 mins. Thanks so much for making this video.

Thanks, good overview of all systems. I was able run down a plugged nozzle to get my old Rediheater going. Roughly 25 yrs of hard service and I finally had to service it. Its de-icing my Polaris wheeler as I type. (there was a ton of black dust I cleaned from the air pump filter...this may have been part of the problem too)

To dead end a spark plug wire pack the rubber boot pull off dielectric grease and put some heat shrink over it. That's the best way I found when working on old furnaces where you gotta use some universal deal.

Actually one of the better how to vids on this subject but high pressure air to blow back through the fuel line usually pops out the cone strainer filter in the fuel pick up tube leading to unfiltered fuel plugging the nozzle at some point.

Yet another great video!!! I picked up an old Sears salamander for free that won't light up. I've never worked on these before but after watching this video I don't think they're all that complicated.

Oh HAILS YEAH!!!! I just got me one of these [for free] and I’m divin in! It’s even full of Kerosene

By far the best video for this I have seen, and I e searched and seen alot. Thank you

Great video . Your explanation helped me solve my issue - gunked up rotor & vanes. Saved me time & money

Agree. Wholeheartedly. Awesome instructor. Superb presentation. I got a question...why are you all bundled up? You got heat. Lots of it. Lol.

I just bought one from a garage sale. It looks almost brand new. They said that they used it a couple of times then they bought a gas heater and haven’t used it sense. So when I got home I tried it out. The fan kicks on but never fires. So I took the cover off and the glow plug does work. But I broke the damn thing taking it apart. Lol. I should know better since I’ve replaced many in my furnace. And I also I see the fuel shooting from the nozzle. So my guess is that optical. That’s really the only thing I can make of it. Their is also a small board panel in it. But I really don’t think that it that. So I guess I will see when the new glow plug comes in. Unless you have any ideas. 😀🤣🤣

Thanks for the video, going to go tune mine up now

OK I am fixed and WARM I replaced the spark plug (again) still barely a spark... The photocell I bought has 2 black wires and I guess it matters which way you hook them up because after I switched those 2 wires it lit up... so THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS VIDEO I could not have fixed it myself without your help

If you ran a test for spark and it starts but shuts down, then observing spark would tell you it was fuel related failure. I had to check one once and could find no one who could diagnose and test or check it. I ended up taking the nozzle to a fuel sales company and the guy I the office showed me it can be disassembled and cleaned. Wooosh. Here comes the fuel and proper atomization.

I never really knew how those heaters worked Thanks for the video

Gave me the knowledge to feel comfortable opening mine up. In my case, the air pump and fuel delivery hoses were dry rotted. ....after 3 years from new, stored in a garage. Made in China items of rubber seem to be WAY below specs. Those lines feel more like plastic to me and the clamps weren't even snug on the hose barbs any more.

Hey 65ford everything you said was correct all those problems fixed ..got spark.fuel spray ,new sensor,new coil, only problem kerosene will not lite and it was fresh

Didn't realize at first how old this video is. Great video, mine is pretty beat up, over 10 years old. probably over due for a tune up. I find the fumes are not as harsh using diesel over kerosene.

The back order on the part is out to at least May. They say the cold weather has played a part in the back order. Hmm! Well again I thank you for the video at least I know about everything I could want to about this unit. Thanks

Thank you....very informative...I had a bad unit, now I am confident to try to fix it.....

Very Good all Around Repair advice on these units...

U know sir THANK u ...i love guys like u to take time out to show things that i have not learned yet,working in my garage and it burning to rich,will drive u out of the garagePEEEEEACE

Got to say thank you for posting this video. Fixed out little Reddy Heater today, was a fouled spark plug... I can't change the air flow setting the screw rounded off, but its working okay as it.

Thanks! This really clarified things. I too had problem with spark.

That air pump is just a rotary vane pump. The vanes can get gummed up in the rotor and cause these to not run as well. Easy fix with some brake parts cleaner, rags, and not very much time.

Good video and great job on explaining the way to get torpedo back on running

Great video. Thorough but not too long.

Outstanding video. Just picked one up at the curb. Will check it out tomorrow with a GREAT tutorial. Thanks much!

Amazing all of the free information available on you tube. Thank you for your video.

Thanks for the info! I just got one of these and it doesn't work so here I go again fixing another broken item from a friend.

Well I am an ICU nurse by occupation and I thoroughly enjoyed you taking the lid off of the heater. I was pretty intimidated by the whole anatomy of the jet heater. I love this heater as I have a workshop and it has been my heater buddy for over 15 years. Then, yesterday with a foot of snow up here in north idaho, I plugged it in and left the room. then when I cam back to begin my project my buddy was dead. I had fuel but no spark...so...I you tubed it and there you were telling me how to fix it. Thanks. If I knew how to subscribe I would. I just don't do much but work...and work. I tried to find the igniter you talked about, but I couldn't find it any where. I have a buddy who owns the Quest Auto in town. If I don't have any success, I hope you can give me an idea where to look. Thanks again man for doing the RU-vid. ThanksBrent

Making progress man, one of two problems. Re the pressure, I have to run the heater on max pressure ( with 4 inch flames out the front ) to avoid fumes. Yet when I turn down the pressure ( where it previously sat for years) the fumes are overpowering and it does not run smooth at all yet it still throws 2 inch flames out around the front shield. Looks like the fuel jet could be the culprit.

Very helpful video. Thanks for showing me how to check and adjust the airflow.

thank you quick description and easy demonstration ....

Great info, luckily I haven't had any of those problems, just problems with rotting fuel lines. Thanks

nice upload mate. I've just bought an English made heater like this, probably made in the 1970s, going to do a service on it before I try to fire it up. thanks again for teaching me how these work. not sure if my one has a photo cell though. Cheers from the UK

had no ignite both hoses were dry rot.replaced them fired right up.great video love to learn how things work =]

hoo sh!t, lol for a split second when you brought the light up to the hoses @ 1:20 I thought you had a hook for a hand like a pirate. thanks for the video!

They work great in A garage if K-1 kerosene is used. Fuel oil will stink up the place. Usual precautions apply. Plenty of ventilation, working CO detector, have someone check on you from time to time and you will be warm and safe. A thermostat that plug's into the wall and then into the heater will save A lot in fuel cost but they are not cheap. I found my heater's and stats at auction in the dead of summer dirt cheap. Not much call for heating equipment when the day is topping out at 100+! I have A couple of propane unit's that I prefer but when it gets cold I don't care, as long as I'm warm! Thanks for the information. I was not aware of the universal spark coils. Good to know.