I need a new pricker (Force 10 heater)

[sailboy21]

I fired up my Force 10 fuel-oil heater only to discover the burner clogged. I took the burner apart and found the pricker thing, which is a very tiny little wire on the end of a rack, was bent over and would go into the hole in the burner anymore. Can I get parts for this anymore? Anyone know a good source? It seems like Force 10 has gone through many hands since they produced an oil burning heater, and I haven't ever had luck e-mailing or calling them. Is there someone in specific that works there that understands their old oil burning products? Or am I just screwed??? I would hate to have to spend another $1000 on a new Dickerson and cut a bigger hole into my cabintop all because of a 1/4" long piece of wire

[bubb2]

Have you tried sizing wire that should be on the boat to begin with.

[sailboy21]

Originally Posted by bubb2

Have you tried sizing wire that should be on the boat to begin with.

Its about the same diameter of a bristle of a brush, but pointed at one end and secured somehow in a little gear rack which itself is about the size of a piece of macaroni... Did you mean "seizing wire"? BTW I took it home to work on

[captbillc]

piano wire comes in a lot of different diameters and is stiff. i think wire like this would be what you need --- if you can attach it properly.

[capttb]

Might try calling the folks at attached website, all you really need is a "cleaning needle" which is just a piece of stiff wire w/ handle the right size for your jet.
A & H Enterprises - A & H Enterprises is the only North American service center for Optimus and Svea stoves.

[sailboy21]

Originally Posted by capttb

all you really need is a "cleaning needle" which is just a piece of stiff wire w/ handle the right size for your jet

It is built into the valve body on this model... searching all over the internet and it seems a lot of people are looking for parts for these thing on just about every message board and no one reporting any known sources not a good sign..

The pricker:

[capttb]

Ah, I have an ancient Optimus white gas stove with a similar "internal" cleaner. A&H actually still has parts for it, they claim to have parts or repair Force 10 products also. Probably too much to hope for a replacement from some other brand using the same valve. Good luck, sorry I was no help.

[artbyjody]

Contact Sig Marine - they bought out that line (so I heard so may not be true) and may be able to to get you going...

[catamount]

If worst comes to worst, you could try removing the internal pricker and just clean the burner jet as needed manually with an external pricker tool.

[timebandit]

Welders use a tip cleaner that comes in a set for a coupple of bucks that has a coupple of differdnt sizes.

Rick