What would cause the pilot light of my water heater to keep going out?

Question

The thermocouple was relaced yesterday, but this morning, out again. It is located in the attic. Plumber that was here mentioned no ventilation, but wouldn't that have put the pilot out for the last 5 months, not just the last 2-3 weeks daily? And isn't that what the flue vent is supposed to do? I am frustrated and looking for the next step to take to keep the pilot lit. Any ideas?

Answer 1

"change the thermo coulpling and clean out the pilot tube.make sure the flame is hitting the thermocoulpling. If that does not work it's control replacing time. depending on the age of your heater you may just want to replace the one you have"

Answer 2

First it isn't an air problem.

I am going to go step by step on what to do so bear with me. It is actually only a ten minute job.

Since you changed the thermocouple you know that isn't the cause.

The pilot has a tiny orifice where the gas line comes into it.
I would say 90% chance there is a speck of dirt in it.

Turn off the gas. Carefully remove the gas line leading to the pilot and then remove the pilot from it's bracket. Look into the pilot where the gas line goes. About 1/4 or 3/8 inside it will look like a dead end. Right in the center is a tiny hole. Take a needle & insert it into the hole. Gently don't try to force it. Now put some rubbing alcohol on a cue tip and clean the hole. Blow it dry with your breath. Take a rag dampened with alcohol and gently clean any soot or other deposits from the end of the pilot where the flame burns.

Hook it back up & turn on the gas. If you use propane (bottle) gas let the attic air out 30 minutes. If you use natural or city gas you don't have to wait.

Now with a cue tip & some dish soap brush a little soap on the gas line connection you had to open. Wait a few seconds and if no bubbles appear light your pilot.

You should be good to go.

Answer 3

Usually pilot lights go out when they are hit by a heavy breeze or wind. That shouldn't be the case in an attic. Unless some hole has suddenly appeared.
It may be that it's not getting enough gas to keep it lit. Some dirt in the gas line, perhaps.
Check the flame when it's lit, and see if you are getting a strong flame coming out.
You may wish to contact your local gas company to have them send some one out to check on the supply. They don't normally charge for this service, but you can ask them if there is.
You don't want to mess around with gas, and the company expert, will be able to reassure you , as to its safety.

Answer 4

You might try the stair tool of your vaccum. Sometimes dust gets in the tube that supplies the gas and stops the pilot from staying on. It doesn't take much and you definately can't see it, but this has worked well for me numerous times. Just put the end of the stair tool at the opening of the gas line of the pilot light, and let it work for a minute or two. Good luck!

Answer 5

generally when i have furnaces do this same thing, it's time to change the gas vlave, they can also go bad and not register the small amout of voltage created by the thermalcouple that keeps the the pilot valve open. i'd try that long before calling the gas company. and if the pilot tube was dirty,, the plumber who replaced it should have noticed the flame and any debits and cleaned it out.

Answer 6

there might be a strong down draft in the chimney, be sure to have all factory cover plates in place on the hot water heater it self to avoid exposing the burner to drafts. the best way to test the draft on the heater is to light a match, quickly blow it out and hold the smoking match near the top of the heater where the chimney vent starts. you should see the smoke quickly rise up the pipe. if it don't, check the entire flue system.

Answer 7

Have your local gas utility check to see if there is water in your service line (the line that brings the gas service from the street to your house). If those get corroded, and leak, or if there is water in the main line, it can get into your house lines, and the pilots will not stay on.

It is a possibility.

Ventilation is a possible problem as well.

Answer 8

the bottom of the water heated has vent for the pilot light to work.They just replaced the thermocouple this week.The water heater is in our wash room and was full of lint.
You may have alot of dust covering the vent.

Answer 9

try a new thermo coupler.the other one may be bad.or look in where the pilot light is and make sure ur tank is not leaking.sometimes the tank rusts inside and leaks and puts out the pilot light.if it is leaking you will have to get a new tank.

Answer 10

Pay your gas bill on time