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Why
pilot light on my water heater goes out? We changed the thermoucouple
and still nothing.
Joe:
A couple of things come to mind. First is the angle of the
pilot
light. Sometimes the pilot light may be bent a little to make
the flame more steady. Also check to see that the door is
closed to the pilot light chamber and is tight.
If you've had the cover
off and on a number of times it can be bent. Is air from the
flue blowing back? A flapper can be installed in the flue
tube to prevent this. Just sit and watch the entire water
heating cycle with the lighting door off. Get down there and
actually view what may be happening. Is there a surge of gas
pressure when the water heating cycle is through?
Perhaps a check of
the gas pressure regulator is in order. Perhaps the pilot
light is being blown out when the heating cycle begins. Check
the pilot light nozzel for residue which may be clogging it. Honestly,
I hate this type of water heater, it is very dangerous
because there are several kinds of poisonous gasses involved.
please be careful. I personally have an electric water
heater, expensive? Yes! Safe? Yes.
Mike:
Your problem is most likely related to corrosion. The new thermocouple
is
most likely receiving conflicting information due to corrosion on the
downstream side. The corrosion is causing a difference in temp which is
causing a shut down. Start at the Thermocouple and work backwards
keeping in mind the simpliest seemingly insignificant part can cause
all your trouble. Its shutting down as a safety feature but none the
less a royal pain in the backside.
Plumber M:
The new thermocouple may be a cheap or a defective one. The small metal
tube that sits directly in the flame, with wires that lead back to the
gas valve may be having some problems. Get the vent pipe reinstalled.
This problem might be due to bad maintenance also. Clean with a brush
so that the air flow becomes free.
Steven:
Besides the thermocouple that has been replaced, there could be two
other reasons for this problem.
1) The pilot orifice could be clogged. To fix this
problem, turn off the gas to the furnace and shut off the circuit
breaker that provides power to the furnace. Then take a thin
piece of wire and poke it into the tiny opening where your pilot flame
normally burns. This will push out any debris/ash that may be
clogging it.
2) The pilot flame may need to be adjusted higher. Some water
heaters have a flame adjustment screw that can be turned to adjust the
flame. Refer to your owner's manual but usually this screw
can be adjusted by turning it with a screwdriver until there is a
steady 1 1/2 inch to 2 inch flame with no yellow in it.
JJ:
Did you check the flame assessor, it might be dirty and
needs cleaning. Also, check to make sure nothing is blocking
the
flow of oxygen to the pilot light and combustion chamber.
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