Hi all,
A while ago I had a problem with our water heater pilot light staying lit. I asked here and the answer I received was to replace the thermocouple, which I did, and that remedied it. Now I am experiencing the same problem again - where the pilot won't stay lit - and replacing the thermocouple doesn't fix it this time.
What could be the problem now?
Thanks!
Dot
Is it in an area where it's affected by wind? Mine is outside - in a closet - but at times the wind used to get in there and blow the pilot out. I've since corrected that problem and the pilot stays strong all the time. Probably a stretch, but also worth considering is its acess to oxygen. If your heater is so well sealed in an enclosure that the fire has no air to fuel it, it might squelch the pilot. Of course, when the burner is up and running, it has enough force to pull air - even through the smallest area. The pilot, on the other hand, is not that strong...
might be a bad thermostat/ gas valve assembly. I had a go out ccasionally tank once. replaced the thermocouple and it helped but didnt stop it altogether:(
Then one nite I heard water running the tank had a leak inside the flue, spraying water out the chimney pipe.
so the water leaked a little putting out the pilot occasionally...
how old is your tank?
A chimney can depending on wind and rapid barometric changes downdraft for a second, is it old possibly leaking.
On 26 Mar 2006 05:41:06 -0800, "BiloxiBoy" posted:
No, it wasn't breeze or the lack thereof - it was a dirty/clogged burner. Thanks for your advice anyway.
Dot
On 26 Mar 2006 05:48:07 -0800, " snipped-for-privacy@aol.com" posted:
It's funny you asked about the tank age. My friend's husband came and looked at it and said it was made in 1981, and I probably don't have even 10 of the
50 gallons of hot water available, if even that, and I should get a new heater anyway. I will, but for now, at least I can have a nice shower!Anyway, he put a lighter and a meter on the new thermocouple and said it was bad, but the old one was still good. He showed me how to take out the burner arm and clean the slots out with a kitchen matchstick, which made the burner flame about three times bigger, which has apparently fixed the problem.
Thanks anyway!
Dot
On Sun, 26 Mar 2006 09:36:01 -0600, snipped-for-privacy@webtv.net (m Ransley) posted:
Old, yes, leaking, no.
Thanks anyway!
Dot
Hi, Most gas valve main body has a provision to adjust pilot flame size. It has a little plug hiding the adjusting screw. Remove plug, using a small screw driver adjust the flame bigger or smaller. Tony
Hi, You mean pilot nozzle?
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