I have a Thorn Olympic 20/35B Hot Water boiler, and with the UK battered by high winds today, the Pilot Light went out, I'm following the instructions to relight it but it won't relight. I can see the ignition attempting to relight the pilot light through the window, but no matter how long I keep the button pressed, it doesn't relight? Any suggestions? Also the instructions say I need to switch off the electricity to relight the Pilot Light. Is this correct? I have to reset all the clocks/timers in the house, when the electricity is switched off.
2007-01-18 09:29:43 · 7 answers · asked by Devron 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
Try turning it completely off for a few minutes. Then open the access door and blow hard on it once or twice, to be sure you've cleared any lingering fumes. THEN follow the re-lighting procedures for the pilot.
They advise to shut down the electic to the heater, but it's not necessary to cut all household electric. Simplest thing is to turn the thermostat down to below current water temperature, or all the way off. This prevents the heater from trying to start up before you want it to. You want to be sure the pilot's going steady, then turn the temp dial back up to about medium or medium-high. If you still can't get the pilot to light, then it could be the thermocouple. It sounds unlikely to me, because you say the high winds caused it to go out. Outside winds should not be getting into it, unless it has exterior access and vents. If that's the case, then you may have to just wait for the wind to die down, or you'll never get the pilot lit. You might end up having to open the thing up and brush off the pilot's orifice too, if dirt somehow got blown into it.
2007-01-18 11:14:04 · answer #1 · answered by BuddyL 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Flossie, I get the impression that you're located in the UK somewhere, as I've never heard of anything of this nature in the US. As far as everything that I've ever had the chance to work on, no as flame will come on without either a pilot flame or a glo plug. One of these two things has to be present period. If you have a pilot apparatus that has no flame going, then if you want to attempt to relight, you must follow the instructions on the panel of the tank you're working on. It generally goes like this. First, turnoff the gas valve for about 5 minutes. I assume this is to let everything settle inside the valve. Next, turn the valve knob, on top, to the pilot position. Then, while holding this knob down, put some sort of a flame source near the pilot burner, it should light and hold as long as you hold the knob in a down position. This is recommended for at least 60 seconds on most units. After that period of time you may release the knob slowly to it's up position. The pilot flame should continue to burn after the knob is released, make a visual check to be sure this is the case. If so, then slowly turn the knob to the on position on the top of the valve. This should light the burner, if the temperature desired is set higher than the current temp. of the water in the tank. If it doesn't light and the temp. IS set higher than the temp. of the water, then the valve is most likely no good. This will require that the valve, at least, be changed, ..... a job for a qualified water heater tech., not a homeowner.
2016-03-18 00:12:19 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here in the States, natural gas appliances with a standing pilot have a safety device called a thermocouple. One end of it sticks over the pilot flame and the other is connected to the gas valve. If there isn't any continuous flame from the pilot light to heat the tip, it automatically cuts off the gas supply. Their function is to prevent uncombusted natural gas from pouring into your home. Sometimes they last a year and sometimes ten years. Since they're only a few dollars, it's a good practice to install a fresh one at appliance tune-ups.
Good luck . . . and be safe!
Jim in Wisconsin
2007-01-18 14:06:33 · answer #3 · answered by James 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thorn Olympic Boiler
2016-12-17 12:23:17 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
turn the gas contro knob to pilot. Then push it in and hold it. Then light pilot. Do not release till thermocouple is hot. then release and turn knob to on
2007-01-18 10:11:50 · answer #5 · answered by aussie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's possible the thermocoupler is shot. If it is it won't keep the pilot lit.
2007-01-18 09:40:46 · answer #6 · answered by Zig Zag 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If You have a problem call your gas co they offer this service for free in most parts of the country.As they dont want any accidents.
2007-01-18 10:09:28 · answer #7 · answered by EL-BRAY 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋