Expert: James Ball - 2/12/2010

Question
James,

I own a small chimney company but I have a problem with a direct vent that I have not run into before. I have a customer that had a bad valve in her superior fireplace. I ordered the correct replacement and new pilot assembly and replaced. Fireplace works great, flame pattern looks good and everything appears to be fine. Well she called me back and says after it runs for an hour or more it shuts off and pilot as well. I have had this happen many times when the pilot was not getting proper oxygen however, I cannot find an air shutter on this unit and I checked the venting by taking the cap off outside the house " unit is venting straight out the wall" and all appears to be well. Got me stumped so thought you might have an idea?

Answer
Hello Matt, the only experience I have with direct vent units is my own natural gas DV stove, not sure if your unit has a thermo coupler? if so try replacing that, also run a brush through the inside and out side of the pipes,  spiders like to nest in there and could be blocking the air flow.
by the way where are you located?
James