Just did this tip last night and it worked again!!! Wasn’t igniting after a minute or two of trying and holding the igniter in, did my tip provided in the video, started first try after I put it back together!
In case this fix doesn't work for you, I have another fix that might. I just got off the phone with Mr. Heater and my issue was resolved by taking the hose off the heater, leaving the other end attached to my 20 pound bottle with the valve open- using something small enough- a piece of wire, a very small screwdriver (I used a small Allen wrench) depress the pin inside the nozzle of the hose or the filter (most of these hoses need a filter) and see if you can get a blast of propane to come out- if you do, reattach the hose and see if it will fire up. The Mr. Heater rep said these hoses are known for the safety valve getting stuck and preventing the propane from flowing sufficiently to light or keep the heater lit. This fix worked for mine. Cleaning mine did nothing because dirt wasn't the problem. The rep also said it's important when you hook up a new bottle of propane to open the valve very slowly/gradually to prevent that valve from getting stuck- I was doing that, but somehow mine still got stuck, but this simple fix worked. So relieved to have heat in my camper again!
I really appreciate your comment and input on this. I have noticed issues in the past with my hose and heater not lighting vs 1 lb propane tanks being used on the heater. And it seemed it was because propane wasn’t getting through to the heater, as you said. Good to know; always helpful advice. Thank you!
Yeah I tried that on mine, didn't work, I'm so fuckin pissed. I spent so much on all these attachments and a extra 20lbs tank I didn't need. The 1lbs work fine in it, just the big setup won't work. I have their 12ft hose, filter, I can hear the hose leaking as soon as I turn it on before I hook it up, used a punch to open up the safety valve to get flow, got flow, hook it up, fires up for less than a second and goes out. The pilot stays lit that's it. So aggravated lol
@@boostedbadboyzx12r31 I feel for you man. I think, it’s not the highest quality heater. The tip I provided definitely worked for me…. But this year, I was out once and it lit on my tank with the hose; then randomly stopped working. Put the 1 lb tank on, I always have at least one of those with, just in case, it worked for awhile and then neither worked. Ended up just turning that valve back and forth a few times and started beating on the heater and then it worked the rest of the day just fine 😂😂. I know there is a tip sensor in there that could be messing things up too every now and then. Just never know for sure.
That is wonderful to hear! Hope it continues to work. I’ve had to do it past 3 winters and it has fortunately worked for me everytime. Thanks for the sub! I appreciate it 👍🏼
wondering why this happens, I mean I could see maybe cleaning out the tube where the propane comes out other than that, I'm a little baffled@@JMonOutdoors
@@davidmurphy5640 I hear ya, I just think it’s that sensitive that if it gets debris or dust buildup on it and doesn’t get cleaned, it gets finicky. Wish they would make one that wasn’t so finicky or touchy, maybe that can be a guys invention and retire 😂
I do believe I found the problem. I did work on the thermal coupler as you suggested. I also polished it up with some fine sandpaper, but I really believe the problem is in the control valve. I believe mine took a slug of oil from the propane as it got inside the control valve and was restricting flow. I pull the lines off and found oil coming out of the valve so I cleaned everything up drained everything out and it seems to be working just fine now
I do think there are a few problems that can happen. I know what I’ve done has helped me and others. Yours sounds like even more serious problem, but luckily you’re handy and could figure that out. Glad you got it working!
Just for information for others. There is oil in propane and it will separate at times for different reasons, but mostly if liquid gets into regulator, it can cause the oil to separate out of the propane gas and get through the piping and other places, causing restrictions and restrict the gas flow to the pilot light circuit.
@@frankpaglianite4158 for sure, I appreciate your response to this and I’m sure others will too in the future. Thanks for the insight, I wouldn’t know anything about that until you commented, so thank you for that!
Perfect video. I’m going on my second year with this heater, and it was stored in my shed all summer, just pulled it out and having the same issue. I thought it was my propane source, but I’ll be trying this.
Im going to try this. Bought this a few yrs back. Now that its about to do another hard freeze here in Tx. I want to use it. But dayum thing wont light up. Hopefully this works....
Hopefully it works for you! I tried lighting mine few weeks ago…Wasn’t working, did this trick again and now it’s lit everytime since again. Seems to be finicky and needs this cleaning every year.
This thing.... I used it once for like 10 minutes and when I needed it most I was trying to light the pilot for a half hour. Redundancy is key. I'll be attaching a long screw driver, alcohol wipes and q tips on the side for this B.S. Also another heater. 😅
Trust me, I know the feeling… also disclaimer, I think they might just struggle to work when it gets certain temp below zero… I try to keep in truck on way to lake so it doesn’t get too cold to light if it’s really freezing out. But, this cleaning the igniter method has helped me more than once so far. Good luck 😅
Yeahhhhh I like it when it works. I love the style of it, I love how the heat radiates off of it with the rounded front and heat deflectors, I am going with the bigger Heat Hog next of this thing gives me stress in future. I do have a Mr. Heater cooker style one for back up and also boil water and make sausage and stuff out on the ice.
I'm completely fed up with mine, bought it last year and have used it several times and not once did it operate smoothly. Have to fight to get it lit every single time. Used it yesterday and once again it took forever to get it lit and then after using it for a couple hours I switched the bottle and it just wouldn't light again. Left us without heat on the ice in a freezing rain/sleet had to pack up the ice shack early and go home. It's always been stored in a tote inside our house. I almost smashed it on the ice yesterday but I didn't want to clean it up 😂 and my wife said she would try contacting the company and see if we can get a credit towards a big buddy. Our original buddy worked for 6 years before I even had to clean it. Anyway maybe we just got a dud but I'm over it.
@@halfassranch8363 that sounds unbelievably frustrating!!! Mine wouldn’t light when I started ice season, I did my cleaning thing like in this vid again, has worked flawlessly while ice season (knock on wood). I would’ve taken it back right away if I were you lol, I’d still try to. Definitely something not right.
@@JMonOutdoors yeah you're right I definitely should have taken it back to Ace after the first time. I've also only run it on the small bottles. Pretty sure I got a lemon 🍋
@@halfassranch8363 yeah, I’d say, even tho I have heard many problems with these from others, it sucks that a person has to deal with them and no one seems to be able to invent a solution. I was going to switch to the Heat Hog but now I keep hearing problems with those… so, I’ll keep this one going as long as I can 🤞🏼🙏🏼
I just purchased this heater and I'm excited about it. I've seen this a common problem among them, but I still decided to give it a try. How often do you have to clean it in comparison to how often you use it? Do you notice having to clean it more if you use it more, or is it just a seasonal thing you need to clean?
I clean it once a year and seems to be fine, I’ve had it 3-4 years now. But, I feel like when it’s been coldest out, it’s been an issue and not start regardless. If it continues to do it, I may get a heat hog. I have a back up Me Heater cooker style one just in case, I’d suggest that if I were you, unless you don’t care that much.
Well that sucks to hear! This tip isn’t a cure all, but it helps some. At the start of ice season… I tried starting this same heater and it wouldn’t light… cleaned the igniter again and it fired right up after, didn’t have any issues all ice season.
@@JMonOutdoors still won't work. Will not hold pilot light. Soon as I release pilot button it goes out. I cleaned it like you said. It needed it. Changed battery, changed bottles, Nothing..... Burr.
@@mrunlucky3024 really?! Still doesn’t work? Idk what it would be besides needing it to warm up in vehicle or bleed it out til it propane runs through it? I have Mr. Heater cooker/heater in which you have to start with lighter as my back up. I’m sorry that this is happening to you. I’d be very frustrated.
It Burns ! Heat ! OK, took apart again. Cleaned it again. Put back together. Moved it & me to truck. Read Your " needing warming up". After about 10 minutes of Heater enjoying sitting in truck, heat & radio going. ... It fired right up ! It was to cold to work ?! Dang. To be Fair to this BuddyFlex, I love it. Best money I ever spent for a heater. I've had & used it for almost 2 years. No problems. Factory Battery. Never Cleaned it, until now. It did need it. Thank You. Merry Christmas
@@mrunlucky3024 I appreciate your replies and updates! Glad it’s working again!!! 👏🏼. Like I said on the video, the first time I took it apart and did that and it worked. Weird. Merry Christmas to you too bud🎄
Here is the perfect solution to the problem: 1. Turn off the knob, 2. Remove the propane bottle, 3. With thumb and fingers extended and joined place your left hand under the unit and with the right hand grab the handle, 4. Take the unit outdoors to expose it to the elements, 5. Open the garbage can and toss it in aggressively (be sure not to harm any children or animals and not harm the ozone or whales).
😂🤣🤣. Someone is expressing frustration with the Buddy Flex I see, I hear you… I’ve almost been to that point a couple times… especially the first time when I basically took the whole thing apart. But cleaning the igniter has helped me everytime now (knock on wood)
I’d say 4-6 hours but hard to say exactly cuz I don’t use those much, I know when I did, it would last a whole fishing outing, or would go thru 1.5. But I shut off when it gets too hot in flip over. I now use a 10 lber with a hose. I like that set up and tank cuz it’s compact, lasts a long time, and has a gauge on it.
Good question 😂 thought that actually right when I hit record, I was like, if I press this and it doesn’t work, then that was a big waste of time. But, then it did and thought to myself, thank goodness! I have had to do this method 3x since owning it. Also, if it wouldn’t have worked, I wouldn’t have made a video about it. Would’ve just scrapped it.
This is a real problem with these heaters. It is ridiculous - poor construction! Some people just use an aircan to blow air into igniter area (without taking it all apart) and seems to work in most cases.
That actually works? Cool. But I’d rather use the alcohol pad to wipe everything down and know it’s for sure cleaned. I agree with the problems it has and construction of it isn’t the greatest. I’m satisfied with my use of it this ice season, worked on the cold days I needed it.
I've had mine for a year and has visible use. Your burner doesn't look like it's been used for more than 10 minutes but you're tellingme youve had this for 3 to 4 years. You might bullshit some people on here but you ain't bullshitin a bullshitter.
@@blakemacdonald71 lol you can believe what you want man. This is my 3rd winter with it. So yes, not “technically” right when it came out. As I said in the video, I’ve had to do this 3x now and it’s worked. Don’t know how that’s BSing ppl, if you don’t believe or trust, I can’t help that nor control your thoughts. You do you man. Just trying to help some ppl.
@Jeremy Monson Outdoors it's a brand new unit I can send you a picture of my burner after 3 months its enough to show that you got a brand new heater I'm getting a new one by warranty I'll take a picture of both. Bet the new one looks like yours if you've had that same heater for 3 years then you pull it out for videos like this and it goes back in the box
@@blakemacdonald71 😂😂 false accusations and getting triggered. It’s actually sitting in my Otter house as we speak. Have a great day bud. Good luck fishing this year.
Just did this tip last night and it worked again!!! Wasn’t igniting after a minute or two of trying and holding the igniter in, did my tip provided in the video, started first try after I put it back together!
Thanks! Work3d pike a charm!!!!
@@williammoore7647 awesome! Glad to hear it 👍🏼👍🏼
In case this fix doesn't work for you, I have another fix that might. I just got off the phone with Mr. Heater and my issue was resolved by taking the hose off the heater, leaving the other end attached to my 20 pound bottle with the valve open- using something small enough- a piece of wire, a very small screwdriver (I used a small Allen wrench) depress the pin inside the nozzle of the hose or the filter (most of these hoses need a filter) and see if you can get a blast of propane to come out- if you do, reattach the hose and see if it will fire up. The Mr. Heater rep said these hoses are known for the safety valve getting stuck and preventing the propane from flowing sufficiently to light or keep the heater lit. This fix worked for mine. Cleaning mine did nothing because dirt wasn't the problem. The rep also said it's important when you hook up a new bottle of propane to open the valve very slowly/gradually to prevent that valve from getting stuck- I was doing that, but somehow mine still got stuck, but this simple fix worked. So relieved to have heat in my camper again!
I really appreciate your comment and input on this. I have noticed issues in the past with my hose and heater not lighting vs 1 lb propane tanks being used on the heater. And it seemed it was because propane wasn’t getting through to the heater, as you said. Good to know; always helpful advice. Thank you!
Worked for me as well
@@dark1fang good to hear! 👍🏼👍🏼
Yeah I tried that on mine, didn't work, I'm so fuckin pissed. I spent so much on all these attachments and a extra 20lbs tank I didn't need. The 1lbs work fine in it, just the big setup won't work. I have their 12ft hose, filter, I can hear the hose leaking as soon as I turn it on before I hook it up, used a punch to open up the safety valve to get flow, got flow, hook it up, fires up for less than a second and goes out. The pilot stays lit that's it. So aggravated lol
@@boostedbadboyzx12r31 I feel for you man. I think, it’s not the highest quality heater. The tip I provided definitely worked for me…. But this year, I was out once and it lit on my tank with the hose; then randomly stopped working. Put the 1 lb tank on, I always have at least one of those with, just in case, it worked for awhile and then neither worked. Ended up just turning that valve back and forth a few times and started beating on the heater and then it worked the rest of the day just fine 😂😂. I know there is a tip sensor in there that could be messing things up too every now and then. Just never know for sure.
This video was perfect. I use the heater for my greenhouse overnight and it worked great until recently and now I know why! I appreciate ya man!
Thanks for the compliment and comment! Very happy that it worked for you 😊
Dude, you are a lifesaver, was having the exact issue and this worked like a charm thank you, thank you!!...(subscribed)
That is wonderful to hear! Hope it continues to work. I’ve had to do it past 3 winters and it has fortunately worked for me everytime.
Thanks for the sub! I appreciate it 👍🏼
wondering why this happens, I mean I could see maybe cleaning out the tube where the propane comes out other than that, I'm a little baffled@@JMonOutdoors
@@davidmurphy5640 I hear ya, I just think it’s that sensitive that if it gets debris or dust buildup on it and doesn’t get cleaned, it gets finicky. Wish they would make one that wasn’t so finicky or touchy, maybe that can be a guys invention and retire 😂
I do believe I found the problem. I did work on the thermal coupler as you suggested. I also polished it up with some fine sandpaper, but I really believe the problem is in the control valve. I believe mine took a slug of oil from the propane as it got inside the control valve and was restricting flow. I pull the lines off and found oil coming out of the valve so I cleaned everything up drained everything out and it seems to be working just fine now
I do think there are a few problems that can happen. I know what I’ve done has helped me and others. Yours sounds like even more serious problem, but luckily you’re handy and could figure that out. Glad you got it working!
Just for information for others. There is oil in propane and it will separate at times for different reasons, but mostly if liquid gets into regulator, it can cause the oil to separate out of the propane gas and get through the piping and other places, causing restrictions and restrict the gas flow to the pilot light circuit.
@@frankpaglianite4158 for sure, I appreciate your response to this and I’m sure others will too in the future. Thanks for the insight, I wouldn’t know anything about that until you commented, so thank you for that!
Perfect video. I’m going on my second year with this heater, and it was stored in my shed all summer, just pulled it out and having the same issue. I thought it was my propane source, but I’ll be trying this.
Hope it works for you, has worked for me everytime I’ve done it!
I tried your fix today and it worked like a charm. thanks for this.
No problem! I know it doesn’t fix every problem, but if it helps some by doing it, definitely worth it… thanks for sharing your experience!
Thanks for the info
mark from Wisconsin
You’re welcome! 👍🏼👍🏼. Thanks for your comment!
Im going to try this. Bought this a few yrs back. Now that its about to do another hard freeze here in Tx. I want to use it. But dayum thing wont light up. Hopefully this works....
Hopefully it works for you! I tried lighting mine few weeks ago…Wasn’t working, did this trick again and now it’s lit everytime since again. Seems to be finicky and needs this cleaning every year.
Getting cold out here in NJ🥶Thanks to you I’m warm again in my garage smoking cigars🫡
Lol heck of a time man!
This thing.... I used it once for like 10 minutes and when I needed it most I was trying to light the pilot for a half hour. Redundancy is key. I'll be attaching a long screw driver, alcohol wipes and q tips on the side for this B.S. Also another heater. 😅
Trust me, I know the feeling… also disclaimer, I think they might just struggle to work when it gets certain temp below zero… I try to keep in truck on way to lake so it doesn’t get too cold to light if it’s really freezing out. But, this cleaning the igniter method has helped me more than once so far. Good luck 😅
Very helpful 👍🏽
Thanks for the comment! Glad it could be helpful :)
Id think, they would make it easy to get to the ignitor. Id love to get this with the cook attachment,but im leary
Yeahhhhh I like it when it works. I love the style of it, I love how the heat radiates off of it with the rounded front and heat deflectors, I am going with the bigger Heat Hog next of this thing gives me stress in future. I do have a Mr. Heater cooker style one for back up and also boil water and make sausage and stuff out on the ice.
I'm completely fed up with mine, bought it last year and have used it several times and not once did it operate smoothly. Have to fight to get it lit every single time. Used it yesterday and once again it took forever to get it lit and then after using it for a couple hours I switched the bottle and it just wouldn't light again. Left us without heat on the ice in a freezing rain/sleet had to pack up the ice shack early and go home. It's always been stored in a tote inside our house. I almost smashed it on the ice yesterday but I didn't want to clean it up 😂 and my wife said she would try contacting the company and see if we can get a credit towards a big buddy. Our original buddy worked for 6 years before I even had to clean it. Anyway maybe we just got a dud but I'm over it.
@@halfassranch8363 that sounds unbelievably frustrating!!! Mine wouldn’t light when I started ice season, I did my cleaning thing like in this vid again, has worked flawlessly while ice season (knock on wood). I would’ve taken it back right away if I were you lol, I’d still try to. Definitely something not right.
@@JMonOutdoors yeah you're right I definitely should have taken it back to Ace after the first time. I've also only run it on the small bottles. Pretty sure I got a lemon 🍋
@@halfassranch8363 yeah, I’d say, even tho I have heard many problems with these from
others, it sucks that a person has to deal with them and no one seems to be able to invent a solution. I was going to switch to the Heat Hog but now I keep hearing problems with those… so, I’ll keep this one going as long as I can 🤞🏼🙏🏼
I just purchased this heater and I'm excited about it. I've seen this a common problem among them, but I still decided to give it a try. How often do you have to clean it in comparison to how often you use it? Do you notice having to clean it more if you use it more, or is it just a seasonal thing you need to clean?
I clean it once a year and seems to be fine,
I’ve had it 3-4 years now. But, I feel like when it’s been coldest out, it’s been an issue and not start regardless. If it continues to do it,
I may get a heat hog. I have a back up Me Heater cooker style one just in case, I’d suggest that if I were you, unless you don’t care that much.
Thank you for your reply and the helpful info.
@@backcountrypreps6171 no problem at all 👍🏼👍🏼
Just cleaned 2 Mr buddys I gave up on. Excited when I heard this is normal. Didn’t work
Well that sucks to hear! This tip isn’t a cure all, but it helps some. At the start of ice season… I tried starting this same heater and it wouldn’t light… cleaned the igniter again and it fired right up after, didn’t have any issues all ice season.
Thanks Bro. 17 degrees and it quit.
Dang man, that’s a frustrating feeling. I always have a back up with just in case too now.
@@JMonOutdoors still won't work. Will not hold pilot light. Soon as I release pilot button it goes out. I cleaned it like you said. It needed it. Changed battery, changed bottles, Nothing.....
Burr.
@@mrunlucky3024 really?! Still doesn’t work? Idk what it would be besides needing it to warm up in vehicle or bleed it out til it propane runs through it? I have Mr. Heater cooker/heater in which you have to start with lighter as my back up. I’m sorry that this is happening to you. I’d be very frustrated.
It Burns !
Heat !
OK, took apart again. Cleaned it again. Put back together.
Moved it & me to truck.
Read Your " needing warming up".
After about 10 minutes of Heater enjoying sitting in truck, heat & radio going.
...
It fired right up !
It was to cold to work ?!
Dang.
To be Fair to this BuddyFlex,
I love it.
Best money I ever spent for a heater.
I've had & used it for almost 2 years. No problems. Factory Battery. Never Cleaned it, until now. It did need it.
Thank You.
Merry Christmas
@@mrunlucky3024 I appreciate your replies and updates! Glad it’s working again!!! 👏🏼. Like I said on the video, the first time I took it apart and did that and it worked. Weird. Merry Christmas to you too bud🎄
Here is the perfect solution to the problem: 1. Turn off the knob, 2. Remove the propane bottle, 3. With thumb and fingers extended and joined place your left hand under the unit and with the right hand grab the handle, 4. Take the unit outdoors to expose it to the elements, 5. Open the garbage can and toss it in aggressively (be sure not to harm any children or animals and not harm the ozone or whales).
😂🤣🤣. Someone is expressing frustration with the Buddy Flex I see, I hear you… I’ve almost been to that point a couple times… especially the first time when I basically took the whole thing apart. But cleaning the igniter has helped me everytime now (knock on wood)
How long one pund propane last
I’d say 4-6 hours but hard to say exactly cuz I don’t use those much, I know when I did, it would last a whole fishing outing, or would go thru 1.5. But I shut off when it gets too hot in flip over. I now use a 10 lber with a hose. I like that set up and tank cuz it’s compact, lasts a long time, and has a gauge on it.
Why didn't you test it before putting it back together?
Good question 😂 thought that actually right when I hit record, I was like, if I press this and it doesn’t work, then that was a big waste of time. But, then it did and thought to myself, thank goodness! I have had to do this method 3x since owning it. Also, if it wouldn’t have worked, I wouldn’t have made a video about it. Would’ve just scrapped it.
Mine didn’t 😂
Sorry to hear that man!
This is a real problem with these heaters. It is ridiculous - poor construction! Some people just use an aircan to blow air into igniter area (without taking it all apart) and seems to work in most cases.
That actually works? Cool. But I’d rather use the alcohol pad to wipe everything down and know it’s for sure cleaned. I agree with the problems it has and construction of it isn’t the greatest. I’m satisfied with my use of it this ice season, worked on the cold days I needed it.
Probably does work when you have a brand new unit
I bought this when it first came out… so idk the context you’re referring to? Mine isn’t brand new.
I've had mine for a year and has visible use. Your burner doesn't look like it's been used for more than 10 minutes but you're tellingme youve had this for 3 to 4 years. You might bullshit some people on here but you ain't bullshitin a bullshitter.
@@blakemacdonald71 lol you can believe what you want man. This is my 3rd winter with it. So yes, not “technically” right when it came out. As I said in the video, I’ve had to do this 3x now and it’s worked. Don’t know how that’s BSing ppl, if you don’t believe or trust, I can’t help that nor control your thoughts. You do you man. Just trying to help some ppl.
@Jeremy Monson Outdoors it's a brand new unit I can send you a picture of my burner after 3 months its enough to show that you got a brand new heater I'm getting a new one by warranty I'll take a picture of both. Bet the new one looks like yours if you've had that same heater for 3 years then you pull it out for videos like this and it goes back in the box
@@blakemacdonald71 😂😂 false accusations and getting triggered. It’s actually sitting in my Otter house as we speak. Have a great day bud. Good luck fishing this year.