Rheem furnace clicks - somtimes ignites - sometimes not

[yooper]

I have a Rheem (RGDA 07EA AR) furnace that may click for a few minutes before it finally ignites, and sometimes it may stop clicking and not ignite at all.

I do always have a good pilot. Someone mentioned to try to turn the pilot up a little. I see the word "pilot" with a place to turn a screw with a flat head screwdriver. It is already turned all the way to the right, turning it the other way does nothing. Perhaps I'm not turning the correct screw?

I have replaced the flame sensor as well as vacuumed any cobwebs that I could see on the inside of the furnace.

On another note, I noticed a few times last year that the furnace sounded like a washing machine that had two many clothes on one side...rumble...rumble..rumble.

Although the noise went away, and I heard it once (but not as loud) this year, it is certainly not going to fix itself.

The furnace is 19 years old, and I have tossed around the idea of possibly purchasing a new unit. Of course this wouldn't be a very exciting purchase :X so I am looking for thought or advice before I take such drastic measures

Oh, I did attempt a search but since the search is not forum specific I get many, many results when searching for "click".

Thanks,

Mark

[hvacdrd]

Can you get a manufacture (White-Rodgers, Honeywell, Robertshaw) and part number from the gas valve so we can see what type of ignition system this has. Or a picture of the componenets would help. Most of the older Rheem furnaces used a mercury flame sensor with a pilot relight control.

In general most pilot type ignition problems can be solved by disassembling and cleaning the pilot assembly including the orfice

[yooper]

Yes I can, and will.  Thank you.

 

I'm at work now, but will post back later tonight with the info.

 

Thanks again,

 

Mark

[yooper]

Here are a couple pics...

If I do attempt a cleaning, would you mind telling me how to turn the gas off to the furnace?

Mark

[applianceman18007260692]

You might want to get a guy out to install a RE-IGNITOR

it is a box that is powered by thermostat voltage

 what it does is keep a continuous spark going to the pilot all during the time the heater is calling for flame. This helps that brain to light the pilot. It is way cheaper than replacing the brain.