New Dora Owner needs help!

[Paul M]

The burner needs air to mix with the gas, which is why there is a hole in the burner above the jet. Some locos have a collar for adjusting the air - I don't recall if Dora has one. Point is you don't need a good seal. Air is supposed to get in.

Turning the gas down when you have lit the burner will often cause the flame to 'pop' back into the boiler.

Yes it does!

As to what number I have, I don't know! It's the original one thst was fitted to the loco on purchase. As Fred says you may just have the gas turned up too high.

 

[Fezwig]

In my case, the burner just barely lit, not enough to create any kind of steam at all today I will try the number three and see what happens. I read somewhere that people have swapped it. I just don’t know anybody stepping up to the plate that has done this with success, other than one person. I’d like to do a post to all Dora owners to see what they’ve done that works.

I've not read the full thread, but when lighting up, this is the method that normally works (note Normally, sometimes they can be a pain!!) on my Accucraft Isle of Man locos,

Firstly, turn on the gas higher than you would when running and leave it for 7 seconds before lighting, this helps blow any condensation in the gas out.

Secondly, light flame, (I use a kitchen stove lighter) if the flame is in the smoke box, VERY Gently turn the gas down, it should "POP" and go back down the boiler to the burner, if it goes out , try again!

Thirdly, after about a minute, (This gives time for the burner to warm up so any moisture in the gas burns off) when the flame has "settled", Close the smoke box door and then, again Gently turn up the gas to you can hear a gentle roar from the burner and it should start making steam, practice will get you used to the right setting for the gas.

I always try and find a sheltered place to light up, if there is a breeze, have the loco pointing the same way as the wind, ie the wind is blowing on to the bunker, NOT the smoke box!! Also I don't move the loco until the smoke box door is shut and the flame has settled.
Don't worry to much, we've all had a day when the most reliable of locos for lighting up plays up and wouldn't light if you put it in a volcano!!