Why is it my gas hot water heater pilot light goes out?

Question

I purchased this heater about two years ago, for t he past five days the pilot keep going out after a few minutes. It stays on long enough to heat the water and goes out.

Answer 1

replace the thermocouple. This is a regular maintenance item and it is not out of the ordinary to need to be replaced after a couple years.
You can pick them up at any hardware store.

Answer 2

The cheapest thing to do is replace the thermocouple. But it may be a dirty pilot with a less than normal flame to the thermocouple and when the main burner comes on it draws enough gas to lower the pilot to the point its not touching the thermocouple. You should be able to visually see this. Make sure the water heater isnt getting too hot. They do have an internal high limit in the control.

Answer 3

Not proof positive, but ... based on experience I would also say it is not your thermocouple, because if it was, the pilot light would go out the second you let up on the "keep gas flowing to the pilot light by manually holding down this button" to turn the knob to the regular gas feed, at which time the pilot light stays on ... or else goes out. {Unless you are somehow managing to override this action.} Sometimes when thermocouples fail it is because carbon build-up on the tip acts as an insulator preventing the tip from getting hot and then transmitting the tiny bit of electrical energy (see others). Getting hot is the key and that is why you have to hold down the button *for a minute* to manually allow gas to get to the pilot light before it will keep itself on. If the pilot light goes out, the thermocouple cools down and a lack of signal means your gas flow shuts off, automatically protecting you and your home. On two occasions now I have removed the thermocouple, sanded the tip with a fine sandpaper (I use the black stuff), and replaced it, and it works fine. Just be very careful removing and re-installing the attaching nuts to the regulator. FYI once in 20 years here I believe my pilot light was knocked out by a well placed drip of condensed water from the bottom of the pan. Only once ... so really doubt that is your problem. The tech with the long answer seems the most correct. Unfortunately I will not be able to keep that knowledge in my head until I need it, so I hope he gives answers for a long time. Good luck.

Answer 4

Normally, if it was the thermocouple, the pilot would go out as soon as you release the pilot button. The tube that the gas goes through to supply gas to the pilot may be clogged. Also check the gas flue. Sometimes air starts coming back down the flue and blows out the pilot. It could still be the thermocouple evn though it is not doing what a bad one normally does.

Answer 5

usually it is the thermocouple. a wire looking part that the pilot flame heats up to tell valve pilot is on. it isn't pro

ducing enough electric from heat to hold valve open. check thermocouple heating tip for damage and make sure pilot flame looks strong.

Answer 6

Mine did the same thing and after many calls to the repair guy (and him scratching his head) I say "I'd try replacing the thermocoupler but mine had issues with the thermostat/valve thingy (sorry not very technical!) and I ended up replacing it anyway"... :-( Hope yours is an easy fix!

Answer 7

sounds like a bad thermocouple. you can scrape the flame rod to clean of carbon. do not use sandpaper as it impregnates the rod with carbon. thermocouple are cheap & easy to replace. take your pick.