My Hotwater tank is two years old, Pilot light won't stay lit?

Question

We light the gas pilot light and it will not stay lit for very long.
The water heater is next to the furnace so we thought possible it was a draft from the furnace pulling air in so we placed a small peice of paneling between them but will allow free airflow to the furnace. WE have had no luck in solving this problem?
Is it dangerous to keep trying to lite it or keep the pilot lite on if it will not fire up? We don't smell gas or anything.

Answer 1

i am living in Boulder, CO and I am having the same problem
The pilot will light but later goes out.
My HOA says that it is because of all the wind and snow.
They are going to put a cap on the exhust pipe on the roof.
They say this should fix it but they have not done it yet so i do not know for sure

Answer 2

If the pilot is actually lighting and not staying lit, more than likely it is the thermocouple, which you can get at Home Depot, etc. The pilot regulator also may be set a little low. It also could be the gas valve but unlikely since it is a fairly new heater.
If it is very cold where you live and has been for a while, the incoming gas pressure may be low coming to the house because of heavy loads and gas company can't keep up.

Answer 3

Try lowering the ent stack onto the heater. Not alot, just about an inch at a time. This should help. If not, the thermocoupler needs to be replaced.

Answer 4

your pilot could be dirty, your ears on your electrics could be dirty. You. could be getting a draft from your outside vent depending on where you are vented to. We spent two days finding out that our chimmney cap was rotted, and had to repair it because we were getting to much draft.