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Your thermocouple senses when your pilot light is burning. If it senses that your water heater pilot light keeps going out, the thermocouple will shift off the gas supply to the heater. Over time, thermocouples can malfunction, accumulate dust buildup, or the device can get bent away from the pilot light’s flame.
Why would a pilot light just go out?
Some of the possible serious reasons for pilot lights to go out include loose or broken gas valves, thermocouples or heat exchangers, faulty venting, low gas pressure, or high winds. If you believe there is a serious problem, don’t hesitate to contact a professional.
How much does it cost to replace a thermocouple on a water heater?
The cost to replace the thermocouple on a water heater is $100 to $325. The thermocouple detects whether the pilot light is lit and signals the gas control valve to turn on the gas flow. Thermocouple replacement is the most common repair needed for gas tank water heaters.
How do you know if you have a bad thermocouple?
If you can’t get the flame to light at all, and you’re sure the gas is on, there’s probably an obstruction in the pilot tube. If the flame lights and goes out when you release the gas control knob after holding it in for the recommended 20 to 30 seconds, that’s the sign of a thermocouple malfunction.
How do you fix a pilot light that keeps going out?
Once The Flame Is Lit, Turn Gas Control Valve to “On” Once the pilot light is ignited, you can release the reset button after 30 seconds and turn the gas knob to the “On” position. At this time you should hear the main burner come on. Now your pilot light should hold a flame and hot water should be restored!.
How do I stop the wind from blowing out my pilot light?
You can prevent a faulty pilot light from wind by fixing your thermocouple, gas release, protecting against downdrafts, capping your chimney, and checking your firebox cover.
Can I replace a thermocouple myself?
1 cause of pilot lights that won’t stay lit is a worn-out thermocouple. It’s easy to replace and a new one costs $5 to $10. Then detach the thermocouple from the burner and take it with you to the home center or hardware store to ensure you buy the right replacement.
How long does a thermocouple last?
Thermocouples can last up to 10 years if properly installed and maintained, while furnaces can last 15-20 years, although either may wear out sooner in multifamily units.
Why does my water heater flame keep going out?
The most common reason that your pilot light on your water heater keeps going out is a damaged, bent or dirty thermocouple.
Can a thermocouple be bad if the pilot stays lit?
The function of a thermocouple in a gas valve is to assure that an active pilot light is functioning properly to ignite any supply gas. If the thermocouple fails, for any reason, the gas flow must be shut down even if the pilot is properly lit. The function is termed a “Fail Safe” mode.
Can you clean a thermocouple?
Yes, you can clean a thermocouple, but the task must be done with a light touch. Remove the thermocouple from the process assembly, using a steel wool or emery cloth, lightly clean the tip removing any build up.
How do you check if a thermocouple is working?
Place one test lead on the side of the thermocouple and the other to the end that screws into the gas valve. If the thermocouple has proper continuity, a small resistance reading should be visible on the multimeter. Many multimeters also indicate continuity with an audio alert.
Does the pilot light stay on in a hot water heater?
What Does it Do? Gas and propane fueled water heaters use a small flame to ignite the burner. This small flame is called a pilot light and it stays lit at all times. When the water heater needs to heat the water within the tank, it ignites the gas burner with the help of the pilot light.
Can wind cause a pilot light to go out?
Being exposed to drafts or wind – Most pilot lights simply blow out. Luckily, this is one of the easiest problems to fix.
Where is the thermocouple on a gas water heater?
Inside the burner compartment of your gas water heater, right in front of the pilot light, is a small metal cylinder called a thermocouple. The thermocouple is a safety device that senses when the pilot light is burning.
What is water heater Backdrafting?
Backdrafting is a dangerous situation where toxic combustion gases are not properly vented. Instead of rising up through a chimney and releasing outside, some exhaust gas enters the home. Backdrafting is primarily a concern with atmospheric venting gas water heaters.
How do you clean a thermocouple on a gas water heater?
Clean the thermocouple – using the emery cloth sandpaper, sand the ends of the thermocouple and then give it a finishing touch with the lint-free cloth. Hopefully, you can get to the ends of the thermocouple without having to detach it from the assembly, but you may have to do that.
What do thermocouples do?
Thermocouples are sensors used to measure temperature. A thermocouple consists of two wires, or wire legs, made from different metals. The legs are welded together at one end, into a junction, where the temperature is measured. A voltage is created when the junction senses a change in temperature.
How much does it cost to change a thermocouple?
It costs $150 to $250 to replace a thermocouple. It checks to make sure the pilot light is on. It will shut the gas off if it’s not.
