Okeefe and Merritt Stove - Gas Safety Valve Replacement

[@lizzyhuo9789]

I know you probably don't have that stove anymore, but it's the thermocoupling unit. That was the smaller line that just popped off and ran down the back. Hope that helps if you still got it.

[@ahorseman4ever1]

I just shared with Rob with Grapevinesally that your video led me to them. Thank you! We are restoring a 1950s O'Keefe and Merritt stove that we just purchased. So glad you had them in the video description.

[@TheToughGuysTV]

Very cool! Thanks for passing that along! They are definitely a great resource!

[@kristispillman6653]

We are having the same problem with that EXACT same stove 1953. I have reached out on FB and Here is my rabbit hole discussion thread...""don't give up. I used a frozen apple pie as a tester and it took me 5 hours to get it to bubble while pushing the red button on the safety valve every time the oven went out. Oven only heats up to desired temp and then stops. Everyone I've talked to says "it's all mechanical and can be fixed" it's just narrowing down the faulty part. We replaced the thermocouple. Was not the problem. Replaced the (tested) safety valve that sends gas to the oven. Was not the problem. Cleaned the pilot orifices. Was not the problem. Next suggestion is possible failure in the thermostat behind the stove knob. Maybe these steps will help you! I'll update the post when we turn the next corner."" Good luck OKM fans. We are looking into an oven knob thermostat replacement next step...03/08/2023

[@jlahmann1]

Just a heads up, you shouldn't use tape on a flare fitting. The flare at the end of the tube is what does the sealing and the nut provides pressure to hold the flare in place. Adding tape or sealant to these actually makes them much more likely to leak due to a bad seal or for the nut to loosen enough from thermal expansion to cause a leak. Just a heads up for anyone reading! 😁

[@TheToughGuysTV]

Thanks for sharing the tips!

[@ReneeHorvath-ju5xl]

I agree with Mark Johnson's comment and would add you don't need tape for compression fittings..Also, you forgot to tell us where you got the part!

[@TheToughGuysTV]

The links to where we got parts are in the video description

[@reyescastellanoz4688]

Thank you so much !! My mother in law just passed away and we were trying to figure out how to light this old beautiful oven that was hidden in storage !!

[@TheToughGuysTV]

Sorry to hear about your mother in law. Glad the video gave some help with the stove! They are really great, no electricity needed, just gas and you’re good to go! Thanks for checking out the video

[@jimolaccam8978]

How did you decide it was the safety valve preventing the oven from lighting? And because that didn't fix the oven, what turned out to be the fix for that problem? Have an O&M from the 40's with the same problem (oven stopped working) and am trying to diagnose it. Thanks for this video.

[@TheToughGuysTV]

Unfortunately we still do not know yet. We did discover that you can use modern brass flex lines (the vinyl coated ones) and that’s been cleared by some plumbers and appliance guys so that means I can start replacing the interior lines. Next step is we are replacing the thermocoupler first, and then onto the control knob for the oven. We will record the next steps for sure to try and help out whoever we can!! If you find a solution on your end please come back and share if you don’t mind 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@13x7killzz]

Check out the video I made I had the same problem

[@markjohnson9495]

Use wrenches, not pliers. Also the thread tape was put on backwards from what was visible before the video cut away. Tape goes on CCW on a right hand thread, so it tightens the tape with the fitting.

[@TheToughGuysTV]

I definitely seated the tape correctly maybe not I guess in the video and I did end up using a wrench towards the end... thanks.

[@kikijewell2967]

Additionally, you should never use tape on a flare fitting. The sealing happens at the flare, metal-to-metal seal, not the threads (like water does.) Also a good reason to be careful not to scratch the flare meeting surfaces.

[@mlaiuppa]

Did you check the thermocouple in the oven first?

[@texas_gun_slinger86thepain92]

Good job brother

[@TheToughGuysTV]

Thanks man! Appreciate it - we’ve got a couple more videos planned on the stove - there isn’t much out there so hopefully we can help some folks trying to make repairs themselves 💪🏻🙌🏻

[@KaterieDesigns]

I’ve got the identical stove; but mine lacks the accessories on top. My safety valve is on the bottom in the storage drawer beneath the liftomatic oven. I’ve got a pilot light button on the right and a safety valve on the left. Mine stopped working mid cycle and the pilot is lit; but oven won’t lite. If your pilot doesn’t lite; you probably need that mechanism (I can’t remember the name of it) replaced. If like mine, you may need a safety valve replaced and/or just to clean the burner with a paper clip-each hole and remember to get in the back by the pilot lite -make sure there’s no soot on it. If your old and broke down like me; make sure you have a firm pillow to rest your neck… There’s a Facebook group devoted to old stoves like this and a lot have OKM’s. Hope this helps someone!

[@TheToughGuysTV]

Thanks for sharing your notes here, there is so little info online so everything helps!

[@texas_gun_slinger86thepain92]

Can’t you put a secondary shield over the pilot light to reduce the heat displacement

[@TheToughGuysTV]

Funny story... literally last night we finally figured out how to adjust the pilot lights.... they were cranked up wayyy too high. So now they are better!! Way less heat!

[@Coreypet]

Hey man I am in the same exact boat as you with our okeefe with one side of oven not working. I will follow along to hopefully find a resolve. Our pilot light works but oven won't come on. Did your pilot light work?

[@TheToughGuysTV]

The pilot lights we got working but could still never get the oven to work. For now we picked up a new gas stove, and got this one back in the shop. Ill definitely do some videos once we can get it fixed by a pro.

[@zataman]

I have this stove and I can't get the oven burner work. The gas does pass totheburner if i hold the redbutton but once released it goes out

[@TheToughGuysTV]

If I had to guess maybe a hole in the line allowing air in? These things are all trial and error. We ending up selling our unfortunately when we sold our house, wish we hadn’t.. was fun to work on it.

[@나홀로할베-f2d]

Seal tape must not use on the pushing bolt.

[@danielvelazquez1820]

My wife just bought an O'Keefe and Merritt stove. I took a quick look in the back. I didn't see a place to connect the gas. Where should I be looking?

[@TheToughGuysTV]

The connection is under the top cover near the burners. The gas line runs up the back side and into the top area. Hope that helps!

[@kerrymelton3171]

Ive come up with one of the same stoves but the safety vavle is not in the top of the stove were you are replacing yours any ideas were else it would be thanks for any help you can give me

[@TheToughGuysTV]

Sometimes it’s in the bottom left storage compartment, on the front side. Open the door, reach in and up - hopefully that’s where it is for you. Thanks for watching the video and hopefully that helped you!!

[@TheOfficialWickedOne]

How do I test the old valve?

[@TheToughGuysTV]

We had a guy at a repair shop test our parts out for us, not sure how to test it at home other than for whether or not the parts are leaking gas (Soapy water).

[@kevinmccarthy6196]

Thanks for the video--I didn't see where your links were as to where to find thte parts. Can you let me know please? Thanks

[@1angieraeful]

Under links to parts Grapevine Sally is mentioned. ATM they have most all of my parts that need new chrome and some that need new porcelain enamel (PE). They are also rebuilding or replacing the safety valves, pilot lights, and gas plumbing.

[@adambrown8628]

I’ve read online that you turn on the gas to the oven and press that red button on the safety valve to get it to work ahain

[@TheToughGuysTV]

We’ve tried everything I think - unfortunately probably some more replacement parts soon! Thanks for watching

[@sommerbailey1592]

True, IF the safety valve is working. Mine is broken so that's not keeping the oven on.

[@THE_CHOAS_ENGINE]

Shut it off how?

[@TheToughGuysTV]

For the gas? There’s a shut off lever behind the stove. You should have one where the gas line enters the room / area.

[@mattodrums]

Mine suddenly has too much fuel being sent to the front left burner (most used side). I know how to adjust the shutters and pilot light, but does anyone know how to adjust the actual amount of gas fuel being sent to the burner. You can hear that it is wayyyyyy to much and the flame is ENORMOUS. Something changed, not sure what happened.

[@TheToughGuysTV]

def not good having too much gas! Has to be the regulator / issue inside of it.

[@dang2443]

why are you using channel locks on that? use a proper wrench!

[@TheToughGuysTV]

Well, I record these videos as I go and I don’t pre-plan much. In this case, I grabbed a few tools in the shop and then came inside. I was not expecting these things to be so tight and corroded .. so yes I agree, and I did end up using a wrench to get them free, after some liquid wrench as well. Thanks for watching!

[@BoulderCreekSteve]

Has anyone shown you the correct direction to place the jaws of the Channel Locks when tightening/ loosening? Better still, run to the garage for the correct wrenches. No tape necessary on the threads, it is a compression seal.

[@TheToughGuysTV]

Thanks for the advice. Apparently I’m just a bumbling idiot, but hey hope you’re having a great night! ✌🏻

[@BoulderCreekSteve]

Tough Guys TV The first step is admitting you’ve a problem. Congrats.

[@paulrattanaphanh5857]

It’s the thermocouple. Robert Shaw 1980-072 is the part number

[@13x7killzz]

Hey man I made a video on my similar problem check it out and see if it helps you out