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Water Heater Pilot Light Keeps Going Out

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Water Heater Pilot Light Keeps Going Out mhenry1384 10-17-2006
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Posted by on October 17, 2006, 7:52 pm
Our water heater pilot light keeps going out. My wife called her dad
and he said, "Replace the thermocouple." So she replaced the
thermocouple. The water heater pilot light still goes out. So we
called in a professional. He replaced the thermocouple again. Thanks!
That was useful. Why don't I just set a small pile of twenties on
fire! The water heater pilot light still goes out. I then did a good
hour an a half of googling. Every web page I can find on this problem
says "replace the thermocouple". <sigh>

So is there any fix from that does not involve the thermocouple?

For a bit more information, the pilot light seems to go out if the
water is warm. I can turn the knob to the pilot position, push the red
button down, light the pilot, release the red button and turn the dial
to on and it fires up just fine. But if I try to do it again after an
hour or so, I turn it to the pilot position, push the red button down,
light the pilot, release the red button, and the pilot light goes out.

Matt


Posted by Mo Hoaner on October 17, 2006, 8:07 pm

> Our water heater pilot light keeps going out. My wife called her dad
> and he said, "Replace the thermocouple." So she replaced the
> thermocouple. The water heater pilot light still goes out. So we
> called in a professional. He replaced the thermocouple again. Thanks!
> That was useful. Why don't I just set a small pile of twenties on
> fire! The water heater pilot light still goes out. I then did a good
> hour an a half of googling. Every web page I can find on this problem
> says "replace the thermocouple". <sigh>
>
> So is there any fix from that does not involve the thermocouple?
>
> For a bit more information, the pilot light seems to go out if the
> water is warm. I can turn the knob to the pilot position, push the red
> button down, light the pilot, release the red button and turn the dial
> to on and it fires up just fine. But if I try to do it again after an
> hour or so, I turn it to the pilot position, push the red button down,
> light the pilot, release the red button, and the pilot light goes out.
>
> Matt
>
Replace the thermocouple again. If the pilot light still goes out, it must
be defective. Replace that.



Posted by danger@heat.com on October 17, 2006, 8:21 pm
Well it's possible the magnet coil in the valve is bad. You say it
won't relight after an hour...thats more then enough time for a
thermocouple to drop out...

I'm assuming the water heater is conventional vent up a chimney.
Have you removed the venting at the wall to see if there is any soot
built up at the first elbow? It can impede the flue gases and cause
pilot outages.

Has anything changed in your home? Windows, exhaust fans, new
furnace?

You may have a serious problem with your venting, I would have a pro
look at it.

-CanadianHeat


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Posted by Power's Mechanical on October 17, 2006, 8:36 pm

mhenry1384@gmail.com wrote:
> Our water heater pilot light keeps going out. My wife called her dad
> and he said, "Replace the thermocouple." So she replaced the
> thermocouple. The water heater pilot light still goes out. So we
> called in a professional. He replaced the thermocouple again. Thanks!
> That was useful. Why don't I just set a small pile of twenties on
> fire! The water heater pilot light still goes out. I then did a good
> hour an a half of googling. Every web page I can find on this problem
> says "replace the thermocouple". <sigh>
>
> So is there any fix from that does not involve the thermocouple?
>
> For a bit more information, the pilot light seems to go out if the
> water is warm. I can turn the knob to the pilot position, push the red
> button down, light the pilot, release the red button and turn the dial
> to on and it fires up just fine. But if I try to do it again after an
> hour or so, I turn it to the pilot position, push the red button down,
> light the pilot, release the red button, and the pilot light goes out.
>
> Matt

Matt, there is a thermal element that interrupts the mv circuit to the
pilot solenoid. This thermal element is replaceable but the problem
that caused it to fail still lurks. The problem is the thermostat is
malfunctioning and over heating the water tank causing the thermal
element to open and out goes the pilot. The thermostat is part of the
gas valve and replacing it is about as expensive as a new water heater.


Replace your water heater Matt.

New high efficiency power vented water heaters are going for about 5
bills plus installation costs. Dont let the local handyman install it
either. If your going to spend the money on good equipment have it
installed by a licensed plumber not some half assed handyman type.


Posted by Stormin Mormon on October 17, 2006, 9:13 pm
Well, I'm going to involve the thermocouple, but not in the sense of
replacing it. Make sure the flame from the pilot solidly impinges on
the TC bulb. Many times I've seen the flame near, or slightly
touching. Make sure the flame seriously contacts the TC bulb.

What the other fellow said about venting is good. Many new houses are
too blooming air tight. Maybe when the furnace gulps for air, it
causes a down draft in the W.H. that blows out the pilot. Or a dead
bird in the flue, might be suffocating the pilot.

Mail your twenties here. I'll burn substitute effigies for you.

--

Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
.

Our water heater pilot light keeps going out. My wife called her dad
and he said, "Replace the thermocouple." So she replaced the
thermocouple. The water heater pilot light still goes out. So we
called in a professional. He replaced the thermocouple again.
Thanks!
That was useful. Why don't I just set a small pile of twenties on
fire! The water heater pilot light still goes out. I then did a good
hour an a half of googling. Every web page I can find on this problem
says "replace the thermocouple". <sigh>

So is there any fix from that does not involve the thermocouple?

For a bit more information, the pilot light seems to go out if the
water is warm. I can turn the knob to the pilot position, push the
red
button down, light the pilot, release the red button and turn the dial
to on and it fires up just fine. But if I try to do it again after an
hour or so, I turn it to the pilot position, push the red button down,
light the pilot, release the red button, and the pilot light goes out.

Matt



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