- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Pilot won’t stay lit on gas hot water heater
Posted on 3/24/23 at 3:29 pm
Posted on 3/24/23 at 3:29 pm
I light the pilot and the green status light starts blinking but it won’t stay lit. Any suggestions on what to try before calling somebody?
5
Posted on 3/24/23 at 3:35 pm to Allthatfades
Does it immediately cut off when you release the button?
If so, it’s probably the thermocouple
If so, it’s probably the thermocouple
Posted on 3/24/23 at 3:54 pm to bbvdd
Is this like a new install? Might be air in the line. Bleed it for a min and try again.
Posted on 3/24/23 at 3:55 pm to bbvdd
No not immediately. It’ll go for a while, actually heat a tank of water.
Posted on 3/24/23 at 3:55 pm to Allthatfades
Na it’s probably close to 10 years old
Posted on 3/24/23 at 4:08 pm to Allthatfades
quote:
close to 10 years old
Might be time to get a new one baw
Posted on 3/24/23 at 4:12 pm to bbvdd
quote:
If so, it’s probably the thermocouple
Before I'd spend money for a plumber or buy a new water heater, get the thermocouple and install it. It is an easy job to do with minimal tools.
If you are not sure about it, u-tube is your friend for things like this. Plus it probably less than $10 for the part.
Posted on 3/24/23 at 4:34 pm to Allthatfades
The air intake could be clogged causing the burner to be starved of oxygen.
Posted on 3/24/23 at 4:54 pm to gumbo2176
quote:
Before I'd spend money for a plumber or buy a new water heater, get the thermocouple and install it. It is an easy job to do with minimal tools.
Often they don't even need replacing and are just dirty. Might just need to clean it off with a toothbrush and some WD40 or whatever you have available.
Posted on 3/24/23 at 5:09 pm to Allthatfades
Details on the heater would help. Sounds like a bad control valve. Mine went out after 2 years, some don't last that long. Start with changing the thermocouple and go from there
Posted on 3/24/23 at 5:22 pm to Huey Lewis
quote:
Often they don't even need replacing and are just dirty. Might just need to clean it off with a toothbrush and some WD40 or whatever you have available.
Yep. My first go at fixing this is to take fine sandpaper and knock off any soot and get the metal nice and shiny and put it back where it belongs. I've had it work, and I've had it not work and needed to replace the thermocouple.
Posted on 3/24/23 at 7:04 pm to Allthatfades
Bad control-swap out or replace the heater
Posted on 3/24/23 at 10:15 pm to TAMU-93
quote:
The air intake could be clogged causing the burner to be starved of oxygen.
If it takes a while, I’d suspect it might be this.
It’s running out of oxygen and extinguishing itself.
Posted on 3/24/23 at 10:44 pm to HarryCallahan
Another question. When pilot does light, is the flame blue or some yellow? The tip of the flame should just barely touch the end of the thermocouple.... does your flame do this?
Also, look at the thermocouple "wire". If there is any kinks or sharp bends, the thermocouple may not work.
Also, look at the thermocouple "wire". If there is any kinks or sharp bends, the thermocouple may not work.
Posted on 3/25/23 at 7:43 am to Allthatfades
Posted on 3/25/23 at 8:39 am to Allthatfades
quote:
No not immediately. It’ll go for a while, actually heat a tank of water.
When this happened to me, the air vent was restricted. Give it a good vacuum and try again
Posted on 3/25/23 at 10:53 am to Huey Lewis
quote:quote:
Before I'd spend money for a plumber or buy a new water heater, get the thermocouple and install it. It is an easy job to do with minimal tools.
Often they don't even need replacing and are just dirty. Might just need to clean it off with a toothbrush and some WD40 or whatever you have available.
Posted on 3/25/23 at 11:21 am to MrBobDobalina
quote:
Details on the heater would help. Sounds like a bad control valve. Mine went out after 2 years, some don't last that long. Start with changing the thermocouple and go from there
Good call. Just happened to me and it was the control valve.
Posted on 3/25/23 at 4:27 pm to TAMU-93
quote:I'm betting this somehow too. I removed my water heater to do some flooring work and put it back and while putting the vent lid back on, i didn't put the legs on to space the vent lid from the exhaust at the top of the water heater so the vent lid was starving the top of the water heater for air and burning out the pilot.
The air intake could be clogged causing the burner to be starved of oxygen.
I had a home warrant so had a plumber come out to immediately point out my stupid failure. $100 deductible mistake.
Posted on 3/25/23 at 9:20 pm to trident
Yep. Not the same but similar. My gas fireplace pilot was doing what the OP was describing. Cleaned everything up and it’s been on for months now.
I think it’s from leaving it off. shite accumulated in there.
I think it’s from leaving it off. shite accumulated in there.
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News