[mrandmrsfixit]

We own a Kenmore gas range model 362.7352190 purchased in 1992 (made by GE). In the past 18 years, we've never had any major problems with it, but have replaced the ignitor 2 times when our oven wouldn't light. In the last few days we have noticed a slight gas smell whenever we use either the stove top burners or the oven. With the ignitor problems in the past, our stove top always worked so we were able to narrow the problem down to the ignitor.

We're leaning towards the pressure regulator as the source of the problem, but are only guessing and wanted to get some advice before proceeding. We don't smell the gas at any other time and have done the dish soap test on the valves, the hose, the all the gas connections and haven't been able to spot a leak. The flame is blue, but occasionally we'll see an orange flame which makes us think that we have an incorrect air/gas ratio. The flame does not stay orange, we just see an orange flicker once in a while. Could a faulty pressure regulator cause this problem? We're really at a loss at how to proceed and whenever you do a search about a gas smell, the majority of answers just tell you to call the gas company, but don't offer any insight into the possible source of the problem. We would be more concerned if we smelled the gas at other times, but only smell it once we use the range, which leads us to believe the problem is with a faulty part on the stove. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Joe / APP Team]

Originally Posted by mrandmrsfixit

We own a Kenmore gas range model 362.7352190 purchased in 1992 (made by GE). In the past 18 years, we've never had any major problems with it, but have replaced the ignitor 2 times when our oven wouldn't light. In the last few days we have noticed a slight gas smell whenever we use either the stove top burners or the oven. With the ignitor problems in the past, our stove top always worked so we were able to narrow the problem down to the ignitor.

We're leaning towards the pressure regulator as the source of the problem, but are only guessing and wanted to get some advice before proceeding. We don't smell the gas at any other time and have done the dish soap test on the valves, the hose, the all the gas connections and haven't been able to spot a leak. The flame is blue, but occasionally we'll see an orange flame which makes us think that we have an incorrect air/gas ratio. The flame does not stay orange, we just see an orange flicker once in a while. Could a faulty pressure regulator cause this problem? We're really at a loss at how to proceed and whenever you do a search about a gas smell, the majority of answers just tell you to call the gas company, but don't offer any insight into the possible source of the problem. We would be more concerned if we smelled the gas at other times, but only smell it once we use the range, which leads us to believe the problem is with a faulty part on the stove. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Have you recently moved the range(before this occurred) ?

The pressure regulator does have a pressure release vent, that allows gas to escape if the pressure is too high or low, but that would / should be an intermittent operation, not as constant as you're describing.

Have you had any work done on your gas supply line(s) ?

Were it me, I would disconnect the power, access all the valves to the top burners and block the oriface and open the burner valves and re check for a gas leak at the valves and tubes to the burner(s) under pressure.

The oven valve can't be tested , unless you like to live dangerously, you would have to make a bake temperature selection, let it cycle on, and check for a gas leak on the tubing connections to the burner while the flame was on.

Or check and tighten all the tube fittings and go from there.

Not a lot of help, I know , but thats the best I can do for now.

[mrandmrsfixit]

We installed the pressure regulator along with a new gas range connection kit from Sears. Like previously mentioned, we were smelling gas whenever we used the stove or oven, but could never find a leak using the dish soap test or the leak detector. The new pressure regulator seemed to have fixed the problem. We were a little concerned about the burning smell we were getting the first few days, but that smell has gone away after using the stove for a few days. Much cheaper than purchasing a new stove.

[Joe / APP Team]

Originally Posted by mrandmrsfixit

We installed the pressure regulator along with a new gas range connection kit from Sears. Like previously mentioned, we were smelling gas whenever we used the stove or oven, but could never find a leak using the dish soap test or the leak detector. The new pressure regulator seemed to have fixed the problem. We were a little concerned about the burning smell we were getting the first few days, but that smell has gone away after using the stove for a few days. Much cheaper than purchasing a new stove.

Thanks for the update,

Glad you're up and running, and were able to repair your range.

Great job.

Good Luck,