Magic Chef Oven

[danesh]

Our 85 Sovereign has a Magic Chef oven. I cannot light the oven. This AS has been inactive for three years. Other gas appliances (heater, water heater, top burners) all work. I can light-up the pilot, but the main oven burner does not work. Is ther anything I can do short of taking it to a RV dealer. The manuals that came with it talks about a shutoff valve. Where is this valve?
Any comments?
Thanks

[Inland RV Center, In]

What is the model number?

Andy

[danesh]

I do not have the #. The numbers under the burners are all gone. It has 4 burners at the top with an oven under. The dimensions for the whole unit are: 20"Dx 18"Hx 21"W. I has a white color.
Thanks again Andy for showing interest.
Cheers

[danesh]

Dear Andy:
I did find the model no. It is BT18LA-4.
Any suggestions?
Thanks

[Creampuff]

If it's anything like mine (older), there is a slotted shutoff for the pilot that is under the burner surface near the front left burner. Look for a small pipe that branches off towards the rear, off the main gas suppy that runs along the front containing the burner and oven control controls .The shutoff is wherever that tube branches off going to the oven.

[53flyingcloud]

danesh

Not to take anything away from Andy, but if it's parts you're looking for:

Try this site: Be aware that some parts are NLA and, Andy may still be your best source..
Magic Chef

ciao

[Inland RV Center, In]

Danesh.

Parts are still available for that model.

Pull the thermostat knob off. On the left side of the themostat is an adjustment for the secondary pilot. On the right side, there is an adjustment for the pilot.

If that doesn't solve the problem, then you will need a thermostat or a mercury valve. You will have to decide which one, if that's the case.

Since those parts are in the special ordered category, they are not returnable usually from anyone.

Andy

[danesh]

Friends:
Is there anyway to test which part is the bad one? The thermostat or the safty valve. If I replace both, it would cost almost as much as a new oven. Replacing one part I could live with, but two??!!
Thanks for your replies.
Cheers

[alan]

I too am interested in how to diagnose which of the two items could be the culprit. I have a 85 Sovereign with exactly the same problem.

[Inland RV Center, In]

The thermostats fail more than the mercury valve.

Unfortunately, you must replace one or the other and that answers the question.

Also there are numbers on both of those parts. According to Magic Chef, different thermostats and mercury valves were used in the same models of stoves, ovens and ranges.

Therefore it is essential that all the numbers from the thermostat or mercury valve be available.

Andy

[Sue&Von]

posted by danesh
The thermostat or the safty valve. If I replace both, it would cost almost as much as a new oven. Replacing one part I could live with, but two??!!
Cheers

I am always amazed on this forum why posters seem to be shy about posting prices of things.
Is there some stupid rule or taboo about this or some foolishly percieved correctness??

We're all in this together and I would bet that costs are important to most of us.

It is obvious that Denesh has gotten prices on a new oven, a mercury switch and a thermostat. So what's the secret?

BTW is a mercury valve similar to a thermo-couple?

thanks
S&V

[thenewkid64]

Sue & Von,

Keep in mind that human nature is to speak out about the good deals we have gotten. Mediocre or bad ones are rarely mentioned, so the pricing info may be a bit flawed.

There is not really a taboo regarding posting prices for stuff, but there are policies prohibiting retailers who are members from doing so.

The main issue is if I buy a part for $100.00, and post that fact, and you find it for $60.00 and also post, then it becomes a situation where I may feel like I got shafted, or the parts may not even be close to the same thing. It also starts to be a contest of who can get it for the least. Then everyone feels bad except for the lowest price buyer. Now if another member goes to buy what they perceive is the same thing they may feel like they are getting taken advantage of when they go to a vendor and find it priced at $150.00.

So while we are a public forum it seems to be an issue where a PM is a better way to do this.

Another issue is that not all widgets cost the same amount of money in the US. Some of what we all make our buying decisions is perceived value. I may be willing to pay more for something because I need it within a short time frame, vs being able to wait a month or two for it and saving 10-15%. Think new furnace in December.

As this site is a repository for information, if I post a price today someone may need that item in a year and the price I posed is not longer available from anyone as the item has been changed or improved. That then adds to the possible feelings of getting shafted by a vendor due to lack of reference.

I do not think anyone has a problem telling you what they paid for a part on a one on one basis (PM), I know I don't mind when someone asks where I got it and how much was it.

[Sue&Von]

Brett with all due respect I think you're all wet on this one.

I assume we are all adults. We should not be sensitive little twerps who get our feelings hurt cause someone pays less for a widget.
Only the dim-witted-est would think that prices do not change or vary depending on region, circumstance, or supply and demand.

Great chunks of bandwidth are devoured on this forum discussing silly and innane topics which add nothing to the reality of Airstreaming. That's not for me to control if the owner likes it that way, but it sure makes searching a task. It is for that reason that I like to cut to the chase in my posts, and mentioning prices is part of that style.
Sure there will be the liars who understate or overstate things, but again as an adult I have learned how to factor such into life's lessons.

As for PM'ing . I think that is bad advice.
As I said "we're all in this together" and should all have the opportunity to share in each others knowledge and generate thought from each others questions.
PM's are fine for personal info such as phone numbers and the such, but it does very few any good to PM general info that most all could use.

In many areas I think this forum is over-regulated and too timid.
I do think it should be kept strictly civil (which sometimes it is not),but stifeling the exchange of info for the sake of not hurting the feelings of someone with "buyer's remorse" is rediculous IMHO.

S&V

[thenewkid64]

S&V,

I understand and can appreciate your points. We do not have ANY policies regarding posting of prices by non-retail members. If someone wants to post that they paid X for Y they can. Some will some won't.

If you get a price and want to post it great, I was just trying to explain some of the reasoning as to why many members do not post prices. I am not one to do so very often, I normally post a general number, but that is because I do not trust my own memory on what I have sometimes paid for an item.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Sue and Von

Individuals can, as Brett stated, post most anything, including prices.

One must understand that all parts of the same description, can and usually are different. If they are different, then the cost will be different.

Add to that, where they bought that part. It could be from a salvage place, it could be from someone operating out of their garage, or, it could be from someone that has a retail establishment that must pay "all" the normal costs of doing business, called general and administrative expenses. Add to that the cost of a commercial building, the costs of a toll free telephone number where you can talk to a person about your trailers problems or needs, and the selling price of the identical item suddenly changes.

Retailers are asked not to do some things, for obvious reasons, that you as a individual can do on this site.

Respecting the rules, by a retailer, such as us, means we must PM pricing to you. You can if you wish let others know what that price is, along with a little description of "EXACTLY" what part or parts it is.

This forum basically is to exchange knowledge and information. Most always, excellent posts are made. However, on occassion, a post may be made in reference to what someone has done that is acceptable to them, but may be a hazard or unacceptable to the majority.

It is "not" a place for any retailer to solicit business in their posts. However, they can via PM.

That in itself, at least we think so, keeps this site neat and clean from any and all commercialism and posts that have absolutely nothing to do with Airstreaming, such as some of the recent posts on the "vintage" site.

From where we sit, this site is way too large for Andy Robonowitz to manage. However with the assistance of others who are donating time, this site then has become manageable, in a number of positive ways, such as keeping trash and nasty people from ruining the site, as well as making sure that within reason, the rules are followed.

That combined effort has made this site the greatness that it is, and I am sure, that in time, even better than it is today.

The old saying "United we stand, divided we fall," certainly speaks for the excellent management of this site.

We are proud to be a contributor, when we can, to it's growth and effectiveness.

Andy

[garry]

Anyone can post the price and many do.
I remember one thread where several of us compared insurance rates and companys.
I have also contacted others for used items and pricing was done by PM. I have posted pricing on something I purchased from Inland RV attempting to assist someone in resolving a problem and a general idea of the cost. Andy of Inland RV could give advice but not quote a price per the rules.

That's what is great about this site, as long as you stay within the guidlines of common coutesy you can post on any subject and if you are requesting help you have to accept the fact the response you get may not be from a qualified expert and the advice is only worth what you paid for it. Bad spelling and all..

Bottom line, if you ask someone to quote a price on something they have bought or researched I bet you get an answer 99% of the time. It is up to the individual on how they wish to provide the answer and not a fourm requirement to do so.

As for your comments --you think "there is too much silly and innane topics" and "the fourm is over-regulated and too timid".

I disagree....



Garry

[Edie]

I am always amazed on this forum why posters seem to be shy about posting prices of things.

I think you answered your own question with...

Only the dim-witted-est would think that prices do not change or vary depending on region, circumstance, or supply and demand.

Usually, my price will not be relevant to you in any case. So why waste great chunks of bandwidth to add nothing to the reality of Airstreaming?

Finally, I think sensitivity to other's feelings is one of the BEST things on this forum.

[Sue&Von]

Edie I hope you do not think I was insensitive to your hubbys feelings.
I consider him to be one of the good guys around here. However I am not so naive to think that all are.
On the above subject you all and I will just have to agree to disagree. I never thought the term "all wet" to be hostile.
I prefaced my reply with "with all due repect" and I meant it.

Now I stand firm on my opinion that EVERYTHING is relevant to me concerning Airstream repair, value, pricing, history, original description, safety, etc, etc,etc. including the prices of parts,accessories and services.

It is what I call the "reality of Airstraming" amd I am a faithful reader of many posts and make notes to who seems to be creditable.
It is my way of Triageing thru the haze since I will never live to read them all plus 3 or 4 other Airstream forums and boards.

And finally may I add (as I have on another thread) that in addition to silly and innane stuff is the all too obligatory "circle the wagons" and "throw a kiss" retorts that appear everytime some "free thinking troublemaker" disagrees with any of the management team.

Now back to the subject of this thread...
How much is a mercury valve, a thermostat, and a new Magic Chef? and is a mercury valve also known as a thermacouple?

[uwe]

Try this:

https://www.rvpartsoutlet.com/newsto...0AEFC97C339CC4

Main page:

https://www.rvpartsoutlet.com/newstore/nojava/index.cfm


and relax!

[danesh]

Dear friends:Happy new year. Sorry for causing so much discussions over the problem I had with the oven. I guess I found out what the problem is. I get no secondary pilot light. When i use a lighter to get the valve element hot, the burner comes on. But as soon as i let the lighter go, so does the burner. I guess the problem must be with the thermostat and not with the valve. I also could not find an adjusting screw on the leftside of the thermostat for the secondary pilot as Andy had mentioned. there is only one screw on the front which i assume it is for the pilot. So I guess I'll order a new thermostat, unless some of you out there think that I should do something else. Again thanks for all the attention.