Problem with my GE smartwater heater help! 2ND time this week flame's off and pilot doesn't hold The flame

Question

last time i turn on the flame the way should be, placing in pilot position and then push the red button and light the pilot hold for a minute and done!
first of all i don't know why this is the second time the flame extinguished and i didn't even noticed i realized when i try to shower and not hot water come!
So now i did the same, check for smell at gas, turn it off for 5 minutes and position the knob in pilot, then push the red button and light the pilot and yes there's a flame but i tried a few times even 3 minutes holding but as soon i released the red button the flame extinguished so please tell me what is wrong or what should i do!
model is GE SmartWater 30 gallons Gas
Thanks

Answer 1

Its your thermo-couple. This is a common hot water tank repair. (A common repair for any gas appliance with a standing pilot light.) The thermocouple is a small metal device that makes sure that there is heat where the pilot light is supposed to be. If it doesn't detect heat, it shuts off the gas valve as a safety precaution. When you are holding down the pilot knob during startup, you are essentially bypassing the thermocouple long enough to heat it up. Over time, the thermocouple degrades and dies - killing the pilot light and preventing it from staying on during an attempt to relight it.

You can call a plumber and for about $100+ or so, they will stop by (after another day or two without hot water) and replace this part for you. (If you rent, get your land lord to repair it!) Occasionally you will encounter a crook (they are in all lines of work) who will tell you to replace the whole tank and will try to charge you a $1000.

Want to try this repair yourself? Take a look at the hot water heater and try to determine the length of the thermo-couple. Use the link below to get an idea of what it looks like and how it is connected. They come in different lengths. If you are in doubt you can error on the side of getting one a little too long. I think they are about $10-20 or so at Lowes. Truck yourself down to the hardware store and get one. If your tank is still under warrantee, call GE and arrange for reimbursement of parts. (Hang onto your receipt.)

Turn off the gas to your house if you feel safer (good time to learn how to do this). Usually just need an adjustable wrench.

Remove the old thermocouple noting where the screws held it in place. Save the screws! You'll likely need them to install the new one. You may not need some of the parts that come with the new one. This is okay. Install the new one by screwing or snapping it into place. Turn gas back on to house. Relight your pilot light following the procedure you did before. Hold down button for at least a minute. This time the pilot light should stay on! Smell for leaks.

Paranoid? Install a CO detector near your hot water heater. Keep the wrench handy for house shutoff... but if you have a leak, first get everyone out. Have never leaks and I've replaced several themocouples, furnace igniters, a gas clother dryer, gas cooktop, and even several whole hot water tanks, so take the precautions you want to, but don't be overly paranoid.

You may need to re-light pilot lights of other gas appliances having turned off the house gas.

This is a fairly common repair, so learning how to do this will save you a few hundred more bucks when it happens again in the next place you live.

Good luck.

Answer 2

It is possible that a draft is blowing out the flame. If it will not stay lit then I would say it is the thermo-couple. That is just a copper line that runs to your gas valve. Most hadware stores have them. Also make sure all the little doors are in place after you finish lighting the heater.

Answer 3

After you have lit the pilot and have held the red button down for over a minute you are then supposed to turn the button to the on position. I did not see you say you did this. It may be your problem. If you are having difficulty with this procedure please call a professional.

Answer 4

Thomas hit it on the head, and took my thunder.
(smart man)