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JOEYGLEC · Sep 13, 2007, 11:02 AM

PLease forgive me for not giving you the model of the water heater as I am at work and just found this site. So here's the problem... I have a gas water heater and I turned on the hot water and it usually takes awhile to get hot, but it never did. I checked the pilot light in the heater and it was off. Followed instructions and relite the pilot light. The pilot light took awhile to actually stay on but it finally did, adjusted the temp and I saw the burner go on so I figured "cool it's fixed. Well this morninig cold water and pilot light out. Any suggestion?? :confused:

ballengerb1 · Sep 13, 2007, 11:05 AM

Pilots can go out due to gas pressure fluctuations more more often by a draft. Is there any source of draft around your tank? Have you reinstalled the door, sometimes two doors, that give you access to the pilot, they are needed. If you can reach the orifice with a small brass brush sweep it a few times. I do not believe that your thermocouple is part of the issue.

speedball1 · Sep 13, 2007, 11:41 AM

Lots of things can prevent a pilot light from staying on. Bal gave you some excellent examples. Another that would cause the pilot to not stay on is a drip loop that's full of water. Look out on the downstream side of the gas meter and see if there's a downturned tee with a short pipe capped off.
This pipe collects moisture before it can reach the pilot light and douse it.
If you have a drip loop shut the gas off at the meter and drain the pipe. Good luck, Tom

JOEYGLEC · Sep 13, 2007, 02:02 PM

I remember closing both doors last night for that same reason of there being a draft. I will try the brushing the thermo coupling today. I will keep you posted. Thanks for getting back to me so quick.

JOEYGLEC · Sep 17, 2007, 09:51 AM

Update: I brushed the thermal coupling Friday and it worked. So being a little suspicous I waited till the thermostat kicked off the burner and the pilot lit was out again. Went to Lowe's to get a thermal couple and problem fixed. No problems all weekend. Thanks for the help. $6 bucks better than $300 thanks allot.

Do you have any suggestion on water pressure? If I take a shower and my kids use the sink I lose all cold water.

speedball1 · Sep 17, 2007, 09:57 AM

"Do you have any suggestion on water pressure? if i take a shower and my kids use the sink i lose all cold water."

This is a volume problem. What type pipes do you have? Copper? Galvanized? Or plastic? How old? Back to you, Tom

JOEYGLEC · Sep 17, 2007, 10:12 AM

House built in 1900's don't know if ever replaced and the pipes are galvanized.

ballengerb1 · Sep 18, 2007, 10:05 AM

Totally surprised that a thermcouple was the problem. Learn something new everyday. Your plumbing is likely galvanized. The inside diameter of the pipes may be as samll as a fountain pen. I'd open up a connection and inspect. A total replace will be costly but eventually it must be done. It will cost more later down the line.