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Started By
Message
Gas water heater question
Posted on 10/9/17 at 10:45 am
Posted on 10/9/17 at 10:45 am
My pilot light won't stay lit. Every time i wanna take a shower i have to go in my attic and light it. Any of you fine gentlemen in here have a similar problem, and if so how did you fix it.
19
Posted on 10/9/17 at 10:47 am to afrosheem255
Google says you have a defective thermocouple. You should probably just buy a new house to be safe.
Posted on 10/9/17 at 10:47 am to afrosheem255
You mean your gas hot water heater?
Posted on 10/9/17 at 10:47 am to afrosheem255
Probably your thermocouple.
Posted on 10/9/17 at 10:47 am to afrosheem255
Might need a new thermocouple
Posted on 10/9/17 at 10:48 am to afrosheem255
Let me ask my personal plumber and get back to you.
Posted on 10/9/17 at 10:49 am to afrosheem255
similar problem i had
i had to buy a new one
i had to buy a new one
Posted on 10/9/17 at 10:49 am to Evil Little Thing
quote:
Google says you have a defective thermocouple.
First thing to try. It is literally just an unscrew and replace.
$4.82
Posted on 10/9/17 at 10:49 am to afrosheem255
Go in the attic and light one of these under you water heater:
Posted on 10/9/17 at 10:50 am to afrosheem255
Probably thermocouple.
Costs $10 and takes 5 mins to change.
Costs $10 and takes 5 mins to change.
Posted on 10/9/17 at 10:51 am to Shaun176
forgot to mention that I also tried a new thermocouple but it still kept going out
Posted on 10/9/17 at 10:54 am to afrosheem255
You have a ghost in your attic and he's fricking with you.
Posted on 10/9/17 at 10:57 am to afrosheem255
Not sure if anyone else has suggested yet, but it sounds to me like a faulty thermocouple. They are cheap and easily replaced by self.
Posted on 10/9/17 at 10:59 am to afrosheem255
1. Obstructed Thermocouple
Most water heaters operate with a thermocouple. This device is central to the operation and can tell if the pilot light is on or off by an electrical current that is powered by the pilot’s heat. Whenever the thermocouple detects an unlit pilot, it turns off the gas as a safety precaution. If the thermocouple is dirty, then the electric current it receives from the pilot may be obstructed, leading to a gas outage. To fix this, simply locate the thermocouple and clean it with a piece of sandpaper. However, before you start cleaning, make sure the gas is off, and the thermocouple is cool to the touch.
2. Curved Thermocouple
Apart from the dirt and grime, a thermocouple can get bent to the point where it is no longer functional. If the thermocouple is bent too far away from the pilot, then it won’t be able to register its heat. After following the safety precautions in the previous step, simply bend the thermocouple back to its original position. Just make sure it is close enough to the flame of the pilot. Typically, the flame should lightly touch the thermocouple or be close enough to heat the device. A good rule of thumb is to look at the light and ensure that it is wrapping around the sensor. Furthermore, a healthy pilot light should appear blue in color.
3. Damaged Thermocouple
If you are fairly certain that the thermocouple is the source of the problem, but there isn’t any signs of dirt or bending, then it is possible that the device is simply broken. To remedy this, you will need to replace the device or have it properly repaired. Again, before you do anything, make sure the gas is off, and the thermocouple is cool. Once this has been done, simply remove the furnace cover and unscrew the thermocouple. Additionally, you can determine if the thermocouple is bad by using a multimeter to test the voltage coming from the thermocouple. Any reading below 20 MV indicates a bad thermocouple.
4. Filthy Pilot Tube
If the thermocouple checks out, then another possible culprit is a filthy pilot tube. Dirt and grime can build up and block proper flow of gas. Luckily, fixing this is an easy and straightforward process. After turning the gas off and waiting a few minutes for the pilot to cool, simple take a needle and clean out the tube. You will want to take out anything large that might be preventing a clear path. After a good cleaning, turn everything on and see if the pilot will light. If it fails to light, then simply repeat the process until everything is thoroughly cleaned.
5. Flex Tube Issues
Another possible reason why a pilot won’t stay lit has to do with the flex tubing. This tubing connects to the gas controller and will ensure a steady stream of gas. Sometimes, this tubing will get kinked in places which will prevent proper operation. If this is the problem, then unkinking the tube will occasionally resolve the issue. If this doesn’t work, than new tubing will need to be installed. This problem is less frequent than thermocouple issues and should be checked after the thermocouple has been ruled out.
6. Main Control Valve
In rare cases, a problem with the main control valve can cause a pilot light to go out. Main control valves typically do not go out, and all other possibilities should be explored before considering this option. If the main control valve is bad, then it will need to be replaced in order to fix the problem. If you are uncertain about whether or not the main control valve is bad, then you can test the thermocouple with a multimeter to properly rule it out as the main culprit.
Most water heaters operate with a thermocouple. This device is central to the operation and can tell if the pilot light is on or off by an electrical current that is powered by the pilot’s heat. Whenever the thermocouple detects an unlit pilot, it turns off the gas as a safety precaution. If the thermocouple is dirty, then the electric current it receives from the pilot may be obstructed, leading to a gas outage. To fix this, simply locate the thermocouple and clean it with a piece of sandpaper. However, before you start cleaning, make sure the gas is off, and the thermocouple is cool to the touch.
2. Curved Thermocouple
Apart from the dirt and grime, a thermocouple can get bent to the point where it is no longer functional. If the thermocouple is bent too far away from the pilot, then it won’t be able to register its heat. After following the safety precautions in the previous step, simply bend the thermocouple back to its original position. Just make sure it is close enough to the flame of the pilot. Typically, the flame should lightly touch the thermocouple or be close enough to heat the device. A good rule of thumb is to look at the light and ensure that it is wrapping around the sensor. Furthermore, a healthy pilot light should appear blue in color.
3. Damaged Thermocouple
If you are fairly certain that the thermocouple is the source of the problem, but there isn’t any signs of dirt or bending, then it is possible that the device is simply broken. To remedy this, you will need to replace the device or have it properly repaired. Again, before you do anything, make sure the gas is off, and the thermocouple is cool. Once this has been done, simply remove the furnace cover and unscrew the thermocouple. Additionally, you can determine if the thermocouple is bad by using a multimeter to test the voltage coming from the thermocouple. Any reading below 20 MV indicates a bad thermocouple.
4. Filthy Pilot Tube
If the thermocouple checks out, then another possible culprit is a filthy pilot tube. Dirt and grime can build up and block proper flow of gas. Luckily, fixing this is an easy and straightforward process. After turning the gas off and waiting a few minutes for the pilot to cool, simple take a needle and clean out the tube. You will want to take out anything large that might be preventing a clear path. After a good cleaning, turn everything on and see if the pilot will light. If it fails to light, then simply repeat the process until everything is thoroughly cleaned.
5. Flex Tube Issues
Another possible reason why a pilot won’t stay lit has to do with the flex tubing. This tubing connects to the gas controller and will ensure a steady stream of gas. Sometimes, this tubing will get kinked in places which will prevent proper operation. If this is the problem, then unkinking the tube will occasionally resolve the issue. If this doesn’t work, than new tubing will need to be installed. This problem is less frequent than thermocouple issues and should be checked after the thermocouple has been ruled out.
6. Main Control Valve
In rare cases, a problem with the main control valve can cause a pilot light to go out. Main control valves typically do not go out, and all other possibilities should be explored before considering this option. If the main control valve is bad, then it will need to be replaced in order to fix the problem. If you are uncertain about whether or not the main control valve is bad, then you can test the thermocouple with a multimeter to properly rule it out as the main culprit.
Posted on 10/9/17 at 11:00 am to LSUvegasbombed
quote:
forgot to mention that I also tried a new thermocouple but it still kept going out
How could you be so forgetful as to leave out this crucial detail? Maybe you just think you keep going to light it but haven't.
Posted on 10/9/17 at 11:14 am to LSUvegasbombed
quote:
forgot to mention that I also tried a new thermocouple but it still kept going out
Nice omission there.
Probably bad gas valve/thermostat control.
Posted on 10/9/17 at 11:16 am to afrosheem255
So the pilot flame isn't staying on...?
Do you have to reset the thermal cut off...?
Do you have cellulose insulation in your attic..?
If so, the air intake is dirty and needs to be brushed on the bottom because it's not getting enough ventilation..
Get an appliance brush and brush the bottom of the heater for a few minutes...Relight the pilot..
I had the same problem with mine, except my WH is next to the dryer, and I have a problem with lint blocking the vent holes, even though I have the base screen around it..
Do you have to reset the thermal cut off...?
Do you have cellulose insulation in your attic..?
If so, the air intake is dirty and needs to be brushed on the bottom because it's not getting enough ventilation..
Get an appliance brush and brush the bottom of the heater for a few minutes...Relight the pilot..
I had the same problem with mine, except my WH is next to the dryer, and I have a problem with lint blocking the vent holes, even though I have the base screen around it..
This post was edited on 10/9/17 at 11:26 am
Posted on 10/9/17 at 11:37 am to afrosheem255
quote:
My pilot light won't stay lit.
quote:
how did you fix it.
You're gonna have to get that demon that's living up in your attic and blowing out your pilot light every day out of there!
Posted on 10/9/17 at 12:02 pm to Sid in Lakeshore
quote:
irst thing to try. It is literally just an unscrew and replace.
$4.82
Before you do that, If there is any white residue or any color residue try cleaning it. The white tarnish is calcium in the Natural Gas. Use a Scotch Brite pad but be careful.
I used to install and repair Fireplaces. I don't think I've ever had to replace a thermocouple, some people insisted I replace it.But it worked so many times I bought a battery operated toe nail filer for dogs from Pet Smart and replaced the sanding drum with a soft wire wheel from my Dremmel tool kit. Honestly it worked every time I've done this. All it takes is a little tarnish to stop the flame from heating the thermocouple enough to keep the gas on.
Posted on 10/9/17 at 12:07 pm to Sid in Lakeshore
quote:
First thing to try. It is literally just an unscrew and replace.
Hypothetically. When mine went bad, I couldn't get the assembly to come out even after I unscrewed it, and then the gas line wouldn't screw back on correctly. Those YouTube vids make it all seem so simple. Just pay somebody who knows what theyre doing. The money you spend will be made up for in the aggravation you save.
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