Martin Industries gas logs. Why don't they ignite?

Try cleaning the tips wit a needle or maybe the igniter mover from pilot light . Adjust accordingly

I am not a service professional, but just a homeowner who has some experience with this gas log.

GAS LOG INSTRUCTIONS

Brand: Marco Gas Log (company is now out of business)
#792775, unvented gas log
Installed late 1990's when house was built


The gas is turned on and off using the key on the wall to the left of the fireplace. The gas is OFF when the key is turned as far clockwise as possible. Turn the key counterclockwise about a half turn or whole turn (180 degrees to 360 degrees) to light the pilot and turn on the log. You don't have to worry about gas coming out into the room before you light the pilot, or if the pilot goes out.

Horizontal as far clockwise as possible = OFF
Vertical ½ turn = ON

The log needs to be cleaned before using at the beginning of the season. Remove the logs, taking note of their position so you can replace them the same way. Use a toothbrush to clean the thermocouple, which looks like two little wires immediately to the right of the pilot (which looks like a metal tube that is located in the center just in front of the back log). Use a vacuum cleaner hose and duster to clean dust off all metal parts and the fire box interior. You can go ahead and replace the back log before lighting the pilot.


HOW TO LIGHT THE PILOT:

With the gas turned on with the key on the wall, find the black and white knob on the lower right of the gas log and turn it all the way to the right (clockwise) to the to the right as far as it will go, then turn it back ever so slightly to the left until you feel a little resistance (like a click that you feel rather than hear). The pilot cannot be lit when turned all the way to the right.

Push the knob in with your thumb and use your other hand to light the pilot with a long-stem lighter or match. Hold the knob in for at least 30 seconds. The thermocouple has to be hot before the pilot will stay on. Let the knob come out very slowly. Hopefully the pilot will remain lit, but if it does not, you will need to repeat the procedure until it does. Be sure to hold the knob in until the thermocouple is hot and release the knob very carefully. When the pilot stays lit, then turn the knob to the left counterclockwise until the flame stays lit and carefully place the logs back into their original position. Note: Push the knob in only when you are actually lighting the pilot, not while you are turning the knob.

Set the thermostat from Hi to Low as pictured on the knob. Once the log is lit, it should stay on until the thermostat causes it to go off. Hopefully the pilot will stay on so that the log will come back on automatically according to the setting of the thermostat (from low to high). It will be at its hottest when the knob is all the way counterclockwise.The flame will go off and on according to the temperature in the room. The pilot should stay lit even when the main flame goes out, as shown above.

Bad igniter? When you 1st try it the gas valve will give enough gas that you would get the burner lit if the igniter was glowing red. If you're desperate you can light the igniter area w/ an aim n flame, but you definitely want to do that w/ caution and crank up your t-stat so the furnace stays on awhile Cuz you'll have to do it again for heat or buy an igniter($40 or so)

if pilot is there when it is depressed in pilot mode then the thermocouple is bad.if no pilot gas check for inlet pressure to log set

Ventless Gas logs, Vanguard, VS30PR. Propane gas
Pilot light stays lit various times, sometimes for several days then other times for a few minutes. Lights best when temp outside is below freezing. Pilot flame appears to receive too much air. How do you adjust the pilot flame? Is this done using two screws marked A & E? Do you have suggestions?
Thanks,
Ed

Sometimes when you turn a gas heater off for some time, if the source tank has been turned off, the line will bleed the propane and the line will contain mostly air. This is especially true if the supply line is long. In order to light the pilot, you will have to hold the pilot lighting button down for a while (a full minute or longer, depending on the size and length of the supply line) before pure propane arrives at the pilot light jet. You should keep a lighted lighter at the jet so that when the gas arrives, the lighter will light it. After the pilot lights, you will have to keep the button pressed long enough for the thermocouple to get hot enough to set the pilot to stay on. When it is hot enough, you should be able to release the pressed lighting button and the pilot should stay on. If it does, you should be able to light the heater. If the pilot jet never lights, gas is not getting to the regulator. If the pilot will not stay lit after a period of time waiting for it to heat the thermocouple, the thermocouple or the regulator may be bad and need replacement. :-)

You should the value there should be a pilot ajustment screw
some times it is hidden under another screw but should be close to where the pilot light line hooks to the gas value

Sounds like a bad pilot sensor called a Thermocouple. It is a copper tube that goes from the gas valve to the pilot assembly. It is the smaller of the two tubes. They are available at better hardware or farm stores. It is best to unscrew it from the gas valve and pilot assembly and bring it with you when you shop for one. It is something any mechanically inclined homeowner can replace.

Check the connection of the thermocouple or replace it if connections are tight.Pilot safety valve may be badreplace gas control valve.