Williams Direct Vent Wall Heater - thermocouple access

[Wesley W.]

Hi folks,

So, I have this wall heater and the thermocouple is not readily accessible (like it is on all the other room furnaces I have). Does anyone have any experience with this style? There are 3 sheet metal screws on the front edge of the burner pan. I am assuming those get removed and the gasket seal is opened and the pan drops down to access the thermocouple and pilot? The tubes go through the bottom of the pan, but the openings are not nearly large enough to access the mounting bracket inside.  Also the gas valve is directly underneath the pan, so not sure how far the pan would drop.  I'm trying to avoid taking the unit completely apart in an attempt to get into the engineer's head who designed it.  Since this is a wearable part, I am expecting there is a trick to getting to it.  I've checked online forums, YouTube, and the manufacturer (whom does not provide technical support to end users). Can someone help me out?