Had heater for 6 yrs, now its leaving a very stong kerosene smell , any suggestions

The fuel/air mixture is not right.

• Start by setting the pump pressure to factory specs.
• Stop all air/vacuum leaks between the air pump & nozzle
  
• If the problem persists, replace the nozzle. Desa recommended annual replacement. Simply stated- the nozzle wears out to a point that the fuel is a spray rather than a fog and the fuel can't burn completely.
  
• You don't state the type being burned. Diesel smells more than kerosene.
  

Your manufacturer, Toyotomiusa, recommends that you tighten all the joints on the fuel line. Your owner's manual CLICK HERE contains detailed drawings showing the location of all parts, including the fuel injector. Your unit will need to be serviced by a qualified technician if you have tightened the connectors and still smell kerosene or find wet spots under your heater. It should not leak or smell of kerosene. If you're smelling kerosene, you should not operate the unit, because the leak may cause a fire.

You say: When running it smells like Kerosene--
That is what you are burning in it, right?

Is it smoking--- like there is a poor combustion mixture?
-- like maybe not enough air pressure?

There is a pressure adjustment for both-- Please check the manual for adjusting the pressures for your particular model.

First of all are you running kerosene or diesel ? If you are using diesel, it does not burn as clean as kerosene which causes that burning rich smell. If you are going to use diesel, just use #1 diesel only but still may have a little rich smell. Don't use die red off road diesel. If you are using kerosene and want to check your air pressure on your pump, you will need a 10 lb. test gauge with a 1/8" NPT male pipe thread on the end of the gauge.There are 2 plugs on the back plate. Do not remove the upper plug with the hole in it. This is the adjustment screw for pressure. Clockwise increases pressure, counter clockwise decreases pressure. With the heater unplugged,remove the lower plug. Screw the test gauge in and start the heater. Check the pressure. Most are set between 5 1/2 and 6 lb. of pressure. Check your owners manual to see what your setting should be. If your pressure does not change, you have a worn pump and it would have to be repaired. Once you have the correct setting, unplug the heater, remove the gauge and install the plug back. If you feel that you are not qualified to perform this procedure, send it in to a local repair center.

Kerosene heaters always smell ... to reduce this to the minimum, FOLLOW THE MANUFACTURERS INSTRUCTIONS TO THE LETTER!

Does it smell like raw kerosene or exhaust. If it smells like kerosene it sounds like you may have a fuel leak. If you can remove the grill, look inside and check for any kerosene in the bottom and in the tray under the heater. You should also check your fuel line for leaks. If it smells like exhaust look inside and on back of the heater for any black soot marks. There are a couple of o-rings, 1 in the exhaust connection in back of the heater and 1 in the flue pipe where the exhaust from the heater connects. There's also several gaskets in the combustion chamber that could be leaking. Hope this helps. If you need any more info, you can send me an email ([email protected]).

When the heater hums is the fan turning. If it is I would add more Kerosene. There is no shut off but the Kerosene is sucked out a tube from the top of the tank. This tube does not reach quite all the way to the bottom of the tank. Your heater should hold about 9 gallons if it is empty. A couple of gallons would give it plenty to run though. Let me know.

You need to use pure kerosene do not use died or color kerosene it depletes the wick faster and causes a distinct odor. Pure kerosene should be clear.

Is it safe? That depends on what you are working on. Having a fire/heat source on the floor is a possibly of an explosion if you have gasoline fuel vapors.

For the most part it is safe, you will smell when you leave the garage, but as long as it is not a real air-tight garage you would be ok.

I run a propane heater in my garage during the winter to get away for a bit. I also have a well ventilated area and don't work on gasoline related items during the winter with that on.

Have it checked properly - sometimes the reg won't open fully, but the heater will still run, but with improper combustion resulting in a funny smell.