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water heater pilot rick 07-22-2007
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Posted by rick on July 22, 2007, 12:01 pm
Our A.O.Smith water heater (installed Jan 1996) has recently developed
the following problem -- the pilot light goes out all the time. Any
ideas to keep the pilot lighted?

Is the heater old enough now where I should just get it replaced? It is
working great when the pilot is lighted.

Thanks.

Posted by The Streets on July 22, 2007, 12:13 pm
> Our A.O.Smith water heater (installed Jan 1996) has recently developed the
> following problem -- the pilot light goes out all the time. Any ideas to
> keep the pilot lighted?
>
> Is the heater old enough now where I should just get it replaced? It is
> working great when the pilot is lighted.

Often this problem is caused by the thermocouple starting to fail.
Replacements are inexpensive and readily available at the big box
stores. And, easy to install. I'd try that first.



Posted by rick on July 22, 2007, 2:30 pm
sorry for being so dense -- big box store implies ?? HomeDepot/Lowe's

I am not a very handy person...would replacing the thermocouple reqire
turning of the gas supply or any other such preventive measure?

Are these thermocouples one size fits all or would it be specific to my
water heater model?

Thanks for your response.

On 7/22/2007 12:13 PM, The Streets wrote:
>
>> Our A.O.Smith water heater (installed Jan 1996) has recently developed the
>> following problem -- the pilot light goes out all the time. Any ideas to
>> keep the pilot lighted?
>>
>> Is the heater old enough now where I should just get it replaced? It is
>> working great when the pilot is lighted.
>>
>
> Often this problem is caused by the thermocouple starting to fail.
> Replacements are inexpensive and readily available at the big box
> stores. And, easy to install. I'd try that first.
>
>

Posted by The Streets on July 22, 2007, 7:58 pm
> sorry for being so dense -- big box store implies ?? HomeDepot/Lowe's

Right.

> I am not a very handy person...would replacing the thermocouple reqire
> turning of the gas supply or any other such preventive measure?

Should be sufficient to just turn off the supply to the water heater.

> Are these thermocouples one size fits all or would it be specific to my
> water heater model?

Home Depot has a "universal" model made by Honeywell that fits nearly
everything. Cost ~$7. The lead length is 36" which maybe/probably is
longer than you need. I usually carefully coil the excess in a circle with
a
diameter of ~2" or so. Just be careful not to cut or crimp it.

You'll probably need to remove the entire burner assembly to install it.
That means also disconnecting the gas line to the burner and the one for
the pilot light. Once you do that, it should be obvious and easy to remove
the assembly.

When re-installing, carefully thread all the connections (the 2 gas lines
and
the thermocouple connection) by hand to start with so you avoid any
chance of cross-threading.




Posted by No Spam on July 22, 2007, 10:27 pm
If changing the thermocouple and/or gas valve doesn't help, and your water
heater is in the attic, your problem may be it's not getting enough oxygen.
I know it sounds crazy, but both my units in my Texas home are in the attic
and I was having the same problem. I changed the thermocouple and the gas
valve to no avail.

During a call to a service rep, he told me about the oxygen thing and said a
small fan blowing at the base of the heater during the heat of the afternoon
might help.

I put a little 5"-6" fan on a timer, pointed it at the base of the heater
and I haven't had any more problems with the pilot light going out.

-> Don
There is no safety for honest men except by believing
all possible evil of evil men. - Edmund Burke


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