Hot water heater pilot ?

[nonhog]

I dont know yet what brand it is . But is there a reason a pilot light would go out ?
They have been out of town for a few weeks at the winter home. Came back to find no hot water. He is assuming the pilot light is out. Seems odd that it would go out . Any thing I should look for ?
Wish I had more info but wont till I swing by and take a look.
thanks in advance

 

[rickairmedic]

I would say the thermocouple could have gone bad . Heres the kicker how old is the water heater and is it a whirlpool POS if it is a newer water heater with all the safety **** it may have a left hand threaded thermocouple ( you are only going to find a replacement at a Plumbing supply house ) if its an older one then you should be able to grab a thermocouple at any Box store homie desperate or Lowes. The Whirlpool however if thats what it is most likely will need a whole new Gas valve and burner assembly which Whirlpool will be happy to ship to them free of charge if it is still under warranty . I have had to do this twice in the last year on the same POS Whirlpool.


Rick

 

[nate379]

Sometimes the wind will blow them out. Relight and see if it acts up again.

 

[larry4406]

Friend of mine had one where the pressure relief valve lifted slightly (no expansion tank), partially filled the over flow pan, debris collected on an air screen. After the water drained, the screen was plugged enough to starve the unit of air. Take the screen off - unit would run fine. But screen back on, unit would go out soon. Fix was the clean the screen.

Not sure what model he had - my water heater does not have a sealed area with screen, just a simple metal cover held in place with tabs.

 

[nonhog]

Well the furnace was easy but I could'nt get the pilot to relight. I could not reach with a regular lighter the pilot . I'll try again with a longer lighter.
But am wondering if the thermocoupler would not allow the gas to flow ?
Not sure . they are not due back for a couple weeks so I am in no hurry.

 

[DCarr]

Sometimes the wind will blow them out. Relight and see if it acts up again.

About 11 yrs. ago we were having a problem with the pilot going out and this was the problem.

What was really odd about it is that, at that time we had a new AC / Heat unit installed, went from a split unit to a package. They had to turn off the Gas to the Water Heater, and then they relit it and the problem started .. a couple of times a week. And we had been living here for over 5 yrs. at the time and never once had it go out prior.

 

[rickairmedic]

OK thats an old style water heater so regular thermocouple . To light it turn the gas valve to pilot and push down on the red button . I usually use my torch to light old style water heaters but a log lighter/ grill lighter will reach fine . Once its lit hold down the button for at least 60 seconds and then turn the gas valve back to on . I would go ahead and toss a new thermocouple on it as they are cheap and thats not a new water heater .

Rick

 

[Uncle Buck]

I would say the thermocouple could have gone bad . Heres the kicker how old is the water heater and is it a whirlpool POS if it is a newer water heater with all the safety **** it may have a left hand threaded thermocouple ( you are only going to find a replacement at a Plumbing supply house ) if its an older one then you should be able to grab a thermocouple at any Box store homie desperate or Lowes. The Whirlpool however if thats what it is most likely will need a whole new Gas valve and burner assembly which Whirlpool will be happy to ship to them free of charge if it is still under warranty . I have had to do this twice in the last year on the same POS Whirlpool.


Rick

Yup, thermocouple is the traditional first thing to look at, I am with rick.

 

[nate379]

Need a grill lighter to get in there.

I was saying the wind because the water heater at work when I was in Idaho would do that a few times a year where a bad wind storm would come through.

Could be the thermocouple as well, but I like to start with cheap/free fixes first and go from there.

 

[nonhog]

In laws get back tomorrow so tonight I go up there to relight pilot.
Will I need info off the tank to get a new thermocouple ?
Or just brand name enough ?
Figure I should swap it while I am there . was hoping to stop by hardware store on my way to the house and save a trip if possible .
Thanks !

 

[Jaguar Fan]

everything you need (information -- and parts if you want them) & more at www.waterheaterrescue.com

 

[Dave Carney]

everything you need (information -- and parts if you want them) & more at www.waterheaterrescue.com

That is a great site. Good advice and information, hard to find parts, fast shipping. One of my favorite sites.

 

[pipehack]

I would say the thermocouple could have gone bad . Heres the kicker how old is the water heater and is it a whirlpool POS if it is a newer water heater with all the safety **** it may have a left hand threaded thermocouple ( you are only going to find a replacement at a Plumbing supply house ) if its an older one then you should be able to grab a thermocouple at any Box store homie desperate or Lowes. The Whirlpool however if thats what it is most likely will need a whole new Gas valve and burner assembly which Whirlpool will be happy to ship to them free of charge if it is still under warranty . I have had to do this twice in the last year on the same POS Whirlpool.


Rick

homie desparate???? I love it. Do you mind if I use that one? It is possible that the gas service was shut off. If they have natural gas. Are you the same nonhog on the horse forum?

 

[nonhog]

everything you need (information -- and parts if you want them) & more at www.waterheaterrescue.com

Good info ! thanks

homie desparate???? I love it. Do you mind if I use that one? It is possible that the gas service was shut off. If they have natural gas. Are you the same nonhog on the horse forum?

I too wondered about the gas being shut off but the furnace works.
I am nonhog on a few forums but no horses , me and horses have an understanding. We dont like each other.

 

[rickairmedic]

Nonhog that water heater will take just a standard thermocouple nothing special about it get a 24"-36" and youll be fine.


Rick

 

[nonhog]

Re: Hot water heater pilot ? (update)

Well I replaced the thermocouple probably should have just restarted the pilot 1st.
Its seems to have a leak that puts out the flame. as it heats up the crack (?)
leaks water and well its time for a new tank !
I tried . Thanks everybody for your input

 

[usa#1]

Did you turn the water heater to the heat mode or just leave it on pilot. The reason I ask is I have seen cases where considerable condensation is produced when a heater is restarted after it had been off for a long time. I'm not saying you don't have a leak but I've seen heaters I would have thought were leaking quit dripping after all the moisture had been evaporated after they were heated up.

 

[nonhog]

Did you turn the water heater to the heat mode or just leave it on pilot. The reason I ask is I have seen cases where considerable condensation is produced when a heater is restarted after it had been off for a long time. I'm not saying you don't have a leak but I've seen heaters I would have thought were leaking quit dripping after all the moisture had been evaporated after they were heated up.

Good question ! I watched the pilot for awhile before turning it up and noticed the flame changing color so I watched for awhile then it went out .
So I restarted it and as it heated up I noticed the flames change color again
it was then I noticed the dripping. At that point I had my wife turn on the furnace thinking maybe it was condensation . They both ran for 10 minutes
w/o a change in dripping if anything it got more pronouned. It is leaking externally also, may just be the drain valve. It is between 15-20 yrs. old.
Hope I am on the right track would hate to have the in-laws buy something they dont need.
I dont want to be a hydroplane driver, like we say at work "The Miss Diagnosis"

 

[rickairmedic]

Nonhog if its that old its time to replace it as much as I hate to say it I would bet the tank is cracked thats a long life for a water heater . Hopefully you are proficient with soldering copper .


Rick

 

[nonhog]

Nonhog Hopefully you are proficient with soldering copper .

Rick

Hardly ever burn down a house seriously my in-laws won't want me to replace it. They'll want it done quickly with a warranty bla bla bla
Cant blame them.

 

[rickairmedic]

The warranty comes with the tank not the installer so unless they just like to blow money I would try to install it for them . I have freinds in the business and around here going rate on a 50 gallon natural gas is between $700.00 and $800.00 installed and as I said the waranty comes from the manufacturer not the plumber . This comes straight from a local rep ( dont blow extra money for the 12 year warrantied tank as its the same tank as the 6 year.) I will add Whirlpool has been having some major isues with their gas water heaters so stay away fom them .

Rick