Hi,
I have a gas hot water heater that is approx. 7-8 years old. It has the sealed pilot light with the electric push button type igniter. The pilot will light just fine, turn the gas up to "on" and burner runs for a few minutes. Did this twice so far and when I went to check on it both the pilot light and burner were both out. From what I'm reading it sounds most like a thermocoupler or an air flow issue. I'm not in front of the unit now, but I can get the info off it soon. Is there something I can try to clean out before replacing the thermocoupler? Thanks for any advice.

Hi Brutus and welcome, does the tank have the wrap around filter on the bottom? If it does remove it an clean good. Then take a small soft brush and clean the screen located on the very bottom of the tank, usually located just to the left of center. That should solve the problem if its air flow. Good luck

P.S. make sure the vent is clear.

Please do as parttime suggest's. Most likely it is a combustion air problem. Normally when a thermocouple is bad, you can't get the pilot to stay lit at all. Ive yet to see a thermocouple that works periodically. What make and model is your water heater?

Echo above sentiments... betting it is a clogged filter. Depending on model this can be an easy fix or it can be quite involved! UGH! As much as these new closed combustion chambers save lives, it took a simple job/appliance and made it very complicated!

Please do as parttime suggest's. Most likely it is a combustion air problem. Normally when a thermocouple is bad, you can't get the pilot to stay lit at all. Ive yet to see a thermocouple that works periodically. What make and model is your water heater?

It's an American water heater company model # fg6140t403nov product # 0731249 40 gallon. I haven't had a chance to remove the burner assembly on the bottom of the tank yet, I'm assuming that where the filter and screen that were mentioned are located. Sorry, I've never torn into a water heater before so I'm learning as we speak.

Hi BM

Looking at your particular model I suspect that you have a honeycomb filter.. not a circumferential filter which means that you need to clean the filter from the bottom (underside) of the water heater using air from a compressor, OK?

I would contact American water heaters tech. support for further information so you don't end up wasting time on This ;) The number should be on the unit or quickly available online!

Mark

Hi BM

Looking at your particular model I suspect that you have a honeycomb filter..not a circumferential filter which means that you need to clean the filter from the bottom (underside) of the water heater using air from a compressor, OK?

I would contact American water heaters tech. support for further information so you don't end up wasting time on This ;) The number should be on the unit or quickly available online!

Mark
Hey thanks a lot. As soon as I get off work I'm going to do just that.

Please keep us posted as to your progress.