Pilot Light Won't Stay Lit

[autowasherfreak]

The pilot light on our gas water heater won't stay lit. It will light but when you release the knob to turn it on it goes back out again. Would this be a bad thermal coupler?

First the electric water heater went out, now the gas went out, I dare not ask what else can go wrong.

 

[danemodsandy]

Bad Thermocouple

Probably. They're not expensive. I once had a gas furnace that went through one every couple of years, and kept a spare on hand to minimise inconvenience when one stopped working.

 

[autowasherfreak]

I friend of mine has replaced them several times on furnaces and water heaters, said they run anywhere from $7.00 to $13.00, and are easy to replace.

 

[rp2813]

Jim, your friend is correct on both counts. Snap in a new one and your problems should be over.

 

[volvoguy87]

Another thought.

On the gas WH here, the instructions say to hold down the button while lighting the pilot and to keep the button pressed for 1 minute before letting go.
Dave

 

[autowasherfreak]

I tried that Dave, even held it down for over two minutes and it still went out. I'm going to remove the thermal coupler and take it to the hardware store and get a replacement.

 

[autowasherfreak]

What a B***h

That thermal coupler did not want to come out but it finally came after what seemed like an hour, stubborn thing it was!

 

[rp2813]

So did a new one fix things?

 

[autowasherfreak]

Yep, it's up and running again. I've been doing laundry and dishes all day today.

 

[rp2813]

And it was probably more satisfying than usual. Always nice when a cheap and easy repair does the trick.

Ralph

 

[autowasherfreak]

It was satisfying, and a little scary at the same time. Working with gas makes me a little nervous, I was terrified when I had to connect my Frigidaire gas dryer for the very first time.

 

[iheartmaytag]

Glad you got it fixed

But another thing to check, even now be aware of it.
An article in our local paper yesterday was warning people if they have problems with the pilots staying lit on Hot water, Furnace or Dryers, and they are located in the basement; to air out your basement.

With our unusually wet summer/fall the gases are being trapped against the house that usually will bubble up to the surface. Causing a high concentration of methane and CO2 in basements. Of 15 houses tested with burner malfunction, 13 had high levels of CO2. Though Carbon Dioxide in itself is rather harmless. High concentrations will not support combustion and cause the pilots to go out, as well as causes an oxygen starved situation where it's nasty brother CO can increase.

Be especially wary if you have sleeping areas in the basement.

 

[autowasherfreak]

This is the first time the pilot light has gone out since we've lived hear. There were I couple times it had to be re-lit was because of gas main shut off in the area. Furnace and dryer are electronic ignition.

Now if I could only get the pilot light lit on the Maytag 806 I would be a happy camper.

Thanks for the info iheart, I will pass that along to friends.