Hi,

Several years ago, we purchased a new State Select (model #GS640YBRT) natural gas hot water heater. It has just gone out of warranty, and the pilot light has started going out once or twice a day. I am fairly handy around the house, and would like to repair it myself, if possible. My wife is recovering from a brain-stem aneurysm and a stroke, so funds are pretty important right now. At the base of the unit is a curved steel plate about 3-4" high by 7-8" wide. It is held in place by two hex nuts going through two horizontally slotted holes. The lines for gas and thermocouple enter to the left of this plate. A small window about 1 1/2" by 2" is to the right of where the pipes and tubing enter. The window is surrounded by what appears to be a white insulating material. I don't see any way to get to the burner end of the thermocouple (e.g. to clean the gas outlet hole, etc.). The flame is blue, however there appears to be soot deposits around it. A protective filter screen and drain pan were not included when the heater was installed. If I remove the two hex nuts, is there any way I can get at the pilot light assembly without damaging anything?

Thank you very much for your time and help.

Randy Smith

Hi Randy

What you have there is one of the newer style water heaters that have closed combustion chambers. Here, they made all gas-fired water heaters safer (and that's a good thing), but to do it they had to control air intake and separate dangerous vapors such as vapor created by gasoline in a can (believe it or not, some people actually put gas containers next to water heaters <<<-----------And now you know why they have closed combustion chambers to begin with), paint/solvent fumes, chemicals, etc.

Anyway, it is possible that the filter or the ceramic flame arrestor on the exterior bottom of the water heater needs to be cleaned. Check out this video to see what I am talking about: Click on the link

http://www.hotwater101.com/video/gas-gascontrol-filtercleaning.html

Try what the video suggests and then, if you still have trouble, pop back and we'll discuss the thermocouple and replacement (it is not real easy like it was with older water heaters).

Best wishes to you and your wife...

Mark

Mark,

Thanks for your prompt response. I really appreciate it. The video was right on target for the type of hot water heater we have. I found a suitable brush and was able to brush the filter at the center of the base of the unit. Not surprisingly, some dust came out. That was about 7 hours ago. I re-lit the pilot then, and it is still burning - a definite improvement. I'm hoping (and have confidence) that it will make it through the night - and then some. If it does, that will be a tremendous weight off our shoulders.

Thanks again, Mark, for providing excellent, free service!

Take care,

Randy Smith

Mark,

Thanks for your prompt response. I really appreciate it. The video was right on target for the type of hot water heater we have. I found a suitable brush and was able to brush the filter at the center of the base of the unit. Not surprisingly, some dust came out. That was about 7 hours ago. I re-lit the pilot then, and it is still burning - a definite improvement. I'm hoping (and have confidence) that it will make it through the night - and then some. If it does, that will be a tremendous weight off our shoulders.

Thanks again, Mark, for providing excellent, free service!

Take care,

Randy Smith