Why does the pilot light on my boiler go out every so often (about once a fortnight)?

Question

The pilot light on my boiler goes out fairly frequently and doesn't relight as quickly as it should. I've got a spare thermocouple but don't know if this is anything to do with it.

Answer 1

replace the thermo couple, clean out the injecter and the pilot assembly and squirt with soapy water to check for leaks afterwards, all failing... faulty electro magnet in the gas valve. possibility whole valve needs replacing by corgi registered engineer.
the down draft diverter sould prevent back draft, do a smoke and spillage test on the flue too. if you have the service manual that should tell you how to check the flue.
don't mess with it too much if you're not sure.

Answer 2

Light the pilot and after a minute blow it out. If you heat a click in less than ten seconds then it's probably the thermocouple. Replace it. The problem could also be a lazy pilot flame if it's burning yellow or is too small to heat the thermocouple properly. In this case you'll have to get the pilot cleaned. These are the common problems, it could be something else.

Answer 3

The pilot light may just need cleaning or adjusted higher on older models there is a screw on the assembly that you can use to turn it up. the pilot light should burn a nice solid blue. If it is orange or yellow chances are it is dirty or partially plugged. Changing the thermocouple will not help. The thermocouple opens the main burner valve.

Answer 4

Doors and airflow through the house. It use to happen to me. Always when the front door was open and then the cellar door is opened at the same time. Causes a reverse suction an blows out the pilot.

I use to think the Gas Co. would do it by reducing gas pressure, so that I would have to call them if I was stupid and did not know how to light the pilot. A little paranoid.

Answer 5

I would get that checked out, not good in winter, if you wake up to a freezing home.

could be a few things. we had to have our 'governer' on the meter replaced cause it was faulty and would drop the gas pressure and if our repair chap hadn't got his messuring kit on it, when it happened he said he would have found it hard to believe it. If you find pressure on other appliances dropping whilst you haven't turned anything else on, get it checked out, cause it will drop the pressure enough to knock the pilot light out, but maybe not all the time.

Could be wind getting in, if so it needs some protection, get the vents checked, or could be some part breaking down.

Dont mess with gas, if its not working right, its an explosion risk, not just to you but neighbouring homes too.

Answer 6

The thermocouple could be going bad or yu could have a down draft blowing it out

Answer 7

Try changing the thermocouple. It could be going out.

Answer 8

all 3 answers are correct ,bazzas is more specific ,thermo is easy to replace just bring name of boiler to heat merchants or remove thermo couple from boiler and bring with you.the thermocouple is the part that sits beside the flame , by just pressing and holding the ignition button you are by passing the thermo and releasing gas

Answer 9

Sound like your on the right track,we had a simialar problem with our water heater. Make sure the gas jets aren't clogged, if these things don't help you may have to look into replacing the whole thermostat.

Answer 10

aussie is right. could be a downdraft from the flue. there is an ajustment screw on most units to increase the size of your pilot light. ask a service tech if you are not familiar with it.