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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