Water Heater Help

[Lexi-Bell]

So my pilot light will not stay lit. I've replaced the thermocouple, twice, with no luck. There are no drafts in the closet, and the gas line is not clogged. I can get it lit, turn the control to on, fire up the burner, heat up a full tank, but when the H20 reaches the appropriate temp, the burner AND the pilot shut off.

A plumber who lives down the street looked at it for me and had no clue.

Customer support (oxymoron with these jokers) reccommends I call the repair guy, but he's $80/hr shop to shop.

Any ideas?

[RootSkier]

If you don't get any answers, go the fine homebuilding / breaktime forum at taunton.com, they will hook you up with the right part, for sure.

[Snow Dog]

The gas regulator has failed. They do wear out and aren't serviceable. It's simple to replace if you're comfortable with gas work.

At least it didn't fail in an explosive way.

[Lexi-Bell]

Thanks, Snow Dog.

Simple part replacement, was able to talk the manufacturer into giving me a new thermostat under warranty.

My first time doing any work with Natural gas, def took my time and quadruple checked for leaks.

[Hugh Jass]

I'm resurrecting/piggybacking on this thread.

Super windy the last couple days. Pilot light is out on the water heater, but not on the furnace in the same closet. I assumed it blew out, but now I'm not so sure.

I can't get the fucking pilot to re-light. I'm pretty sure I'm not a complete idiot, and have been following the re-light instructions to a T.

Any other ideas on what the problem is? This water heater is about 6 years old.

[Snow Dog]

If you can light the pilot but it goes out when you release the button then check the thermocouple. If it looks burnt then replace it (Lexi did that). It's easy, not gas work, and parts are available at any hardware store. Sometimes the thermocouple slips out of the pilot flame and just needs to be repositioned.

After that, the gas valve might need replacing, which is gas work.

[Hugh Jass]

Thanks for the reply. Just got it working again. The pilot button was jammed somehow, and I wasn't getting it depressed all the way. So I guess I am an idiot after all.