My hot water heater is only 5 years old, we woke up the other day to cold water for a shower, I went out and checked the heater and found the pilot light off ( it can not blow out, no wind can get to it ) so i relit it and all was ok for the first batch of hot water, I went out again and pilot light was off ( I installed a new thermo couple ) relit it and it did the same thing ( first batch of hot water but wont relite for second batch ) I am wondering what could knock pilot light out ? the thermo couple end is glowing so i know I have it in a good flame, also milivolts are fine when i checked my meter. any thoughts ? Thanks !!
2006-07-24 06:46:16 · 8 answers · asked by TopFuel 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I have had the gas company come out and check flow ( it is fine ) all lines are free and I do not see traces of condensation.
2006-07-24 07:07:34 · update #1
I would guess it is the safety magnet assembly or the ECO.
Defective safety magnet assembly-Check and replace gas valve.
Venting downdraft (or other improper draft)-Check for proper up draft venting. Check for other drafts that could blow out the pilot light
Thermostat's single use ECO is tripped-Check ECO and replace gas valve.
Clogged flue-Inspect and clean flue way.
Pilot partially clogged-Inspect and clean supply tube and pilot burner.
Poor thermocouple connection-Tighten connection at gas valve.
Hope it helps.
2006-07-24 14:16:34 · answer #1 · answered by etcher1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only four things can put out a gas water heater pilot light:
lack of oxygen, which is highly unlikely
lack of gas supply, but you would notice the same thing in a gas stove
wind from somewhere blowing it out
the thermocouple is not working right.
You eliminated #4. #1 is nearly impossible, and #2 is unlikely. So it's #3, or something really weird.
If you have proper ventilation in the water heater, then you have a chimney to the roof. So either the wind is blowing down the chimney or a bird tried to nest in the chimney and it's blocked.
2006-07-24 13:55:08 · answer #2 · answered by Ogelthorpe13 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
u did the right thing by replacing the thermo coupling first. if that did not do it i would contact a gas company to check the gas lines and valves. they will do pressure checks on these items. if everything checks out ok u may need to replace the thermostat itself... this is expensive an u would be better off just replacing the whole heater.. good luck
2006-07-24 13:59:35 · answer #3 · answered by GoThEaNsWeR 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably there is condensation dripping on the burner, constantly putting the pilot light out. This can happen if there is a lot of hot water usage, and it is therefore often full of cold water and creating condensation. Call your water heater company and explain, they may recommend a larger water heater so that you aren't using up your hot water so often and creating this issue.
2006-07-24 13:51:43 · answer #4 · answered by ontario ashley 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to stay down there and watch it the whole time. My roommates girlfriend had a water heater that would lite every time, but after the water got hot the water heater expanded and alittle water leaked out and put the flame out. So just watch it through it's whole cycle.
2006-07-24 13:53:15 · answer #5 · answered by BNutzz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds as though the gas line may be faulty. You may have to call a plumber to check it out. A corroded gas line can be dangerous. Good luck.
2006-07-24 13:50:16 · answer #6 · answered by dig4words 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
could be gas flow. Have it checked.
2006-07-24 13:50:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
gas valve?
2006-07-24 13:49:53 · answer #8 · answered by thumper 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋