Perhaps a long shot but I have a problem with one of my Mr Heater Little Buddy heaters.

I have 3 of them and run them off 20 gallon propane tanks.

One of the heaters, has a problem with liquid (oil/water combo?) collecting in the orifice. I’ve cleaned it with a pipe cleaner multiple times and it works for a while with a nice blue flame but then you can start to hear a little gurgling sound after 10-15 minutes and the flame turns yellow/uneven and it shuts off.

If you stick a q-tip in, it’s soaking wet! Then the heater works fine for another 15 or so minutes until the same thing happens again.

Since I have 2 other heaters, I’m thinking the problem must be with the heater itself since other two work fine with the same hose/tank.

Anybody have experience with these heaters? I can just buy another but would rather repair it if possible.

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Posted by LegendInMyMind

Member since Apr 2019

66089 posts

Posted on 12/2/24 at 9:05 pm to wm72

Maybe take the cover off so you can get to the lines to blow them out. You should be able to take the orifice off, too, and clean it.

I found this YouTube video a while back that shows how the outer shell comes off. The screws are under the stickers.

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Posted by GCTigahs

Member since Oct 2014

2277 posts

Posted on 12/2/24 at 9:09 pm to wm72

Search on Amazon for a Mr. Heater fuel filter and read the reviews. Sounds like this might be the fix you need.

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Posted by wm72

Brooklyn

Member since Mar 2010

8722 posts

Posted on 12/3/24 at 1:40 am to GCTigahs

Thanks a lot to both of you for the replies.

I watched the video on taking the outer shell off. I'll try this if I keep having problems.

Also, appreciate the info on the fuel filter. I ordered a couple of those to try. I'm sure the root of the problem is propane purity.

I actually got the problematic heater to work this afternoon by disconnecting it, turning it on its side and blowing air through the fuel line. It blew some oily liquid out.

Definitely going to try the fuel filters now.

Thanks again.

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Posted by Twenty 49

Shreveport

Member since Jun 2014

20040 posts

Posted on 12/3/24 at 5:51 am to wm72

quote:
appreciate the info on the fuel filter. I ordered a couple of those to try.

It's been a few years, but when I bought my heater, pretty sure the instruction manual said it was necessary to use a fuel filter if you hooked to anything other than the small prefilled cylinders. The filters were pretty pricey at the time, but I bought one and have had no issues (other than occasional dust in the pilot tube that requires cleaning).

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Posted by bapple

Capital City

Member since Oct 2010

12130 posts

Posted on 12/3/24 at 8:37 am to wm72

quote:
Also, appreciate the info on the fuel filter. I ordered a couple of those to try. I'm sure the root of the problem is propane purity.

I’m not sure exactly how long the filters last but they do a good job of cleaning up some of the dirtier propane in the large tanks. It definitely is nice not having to worry about running out of heat during the season and using the large tanks is definitely worth it. Just gotta keep them clean.

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