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dontknow22 · Oct 11, 2009, 06:34 PM

Just installed a whirlpool water heater . Pilot won't light. 30 gal flame lock type

afaroo · Oct 11, 2009, 08:14 PM

Does the pilot lets and doesn't stay on, or it doesn't let at all.
To let the water heater pilot the instructions should be on the water heater itself, but if they're not don't worry. The steps to lighting a pilot light are basically the same for each model. You can use a fireplace match or if you have one, long lighters used for grills or fireplaces.
Turn the water heater control knob to off and wait at least five minutes for any gas to clear from the air. If you've waited awhile and can smell gas, don't do anything else. This means that you have a gas leak and you will need to find and fix it immediately.
If you don't smell any gas then you can proceed to re-light the pilot. If you can't see the end of the gas supply tube, use a flashlight. The supply tube starts at the control valve and goes into the burning chamber of the water heater.
Once you've found the end of the supply tube and gotten into a good position to be able to see it, turn the knob to pilot. Place the lit match or lighter at the end of the tube and hold the reset button on the control valve down.
The gas will quickly light and you'll see the small flame at the end of the tube. Don't release the reset button yet; you'll need to hold it down for about a minute or so to make sure that the flame stays lit.
If the pilot light keeps going out after you've lit it, then you may have a faulty or loose thermocouple or there could even be a clog in the gas supply line. Check the connection of the thermocouple at the control valve and make sure that it's tight.
John

letmetellu · Oct 11, 2009, 08:25 PM

Does you pilot light with a match or does it have a piezo lighter that you mash with you thumb to light the heater?

If you use a match follow Afroo's directions above but if it has a piezo lighter follow the instructions on the heater. I have to tell you though we have had some trouble with the Whirlpool water heater, frouble making them stay burning.

If you need more info write back to us.

dontknow22 · Oct 11, 2009, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by afaroo

Does the pilot lets and doesn’t stay on, or it doesn’t let at all.
To let the water heater pilot the instructions should be on the water heater itself, but if they’re not don’t worry. The steps to lighting a pilot light are basically the same for each model. You can use a fireplace match or if you have one, long lighters used for grills or fireplaces.
Turn the water heater control knob to off and wait at least five minutes for any gas to clear from the air. If you’ve waited awhile and can smell gas, don’t do anything else. This means that you have a gas leak and you will need to find and fix it immediately.
If you don’t smell any gas then you can proceed to re-light the pilot. If you can’t see the end of the gas supply tube, use a flashlight. The supply tube starts at the control valve and goes into the burning chamber of the water heater.
Once you’ve found the end of the supply tube and gotten into a good position to be able to see it, turn the knob to pilot. Place the lit match or lighter at the end of the tube and hold the reset button on the control valve down.
The gas will quickly light and you’ll see the small flame at the end of the tube. Don’t release the reset button yet; you’ll need to hold it down for about a minute or so to make sure that the flame stays lit.
If the pilot light keeps going out after you’ve lit it, then you may have a faulty or loose thermocouple or there could even be a clog in the gas supply line. Check the connection of the thermocouple at the control valve and make sure that it’s tight.
John

This is not one that can be lit with a match. It has an ignition button to push down. I turned off the lights and only see sparks on the outside near the control knob

dontknow22 · Oct 11, 2009, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by letmetellu

Does you pilot light with a match or does it have a piezo lighter that you mash with you thumb to light the heater?

If you use a match follow Afroo's directions above but if it has a piezo lighter follow the instructions on the heater. I have to tell you though we have had some trouble with the Whirlpool water heater, trouble making them stay burning.

If you need more info wright back to us.

It has the piezo lighter. I see a spark on the outside by the control knob but not through the window when I depress it

letmetellu · Oct 11, 2009, 08:32 PM

Move the little wire away from the metal of the water heater. Also you can push that connection furthern to hide any bare wire.

afaroo · Oct 11, 2009, 08:32 PM

Double check the gas valve if it is fully open, and try it again, Thanks.

John

letmetellu · Oct 11, 2009, 08:33 PM

I am talking about where the two wires connect together.

hkstroud · Oct 12, 2009, 05:19 AM

You said "Just installed". Who installed it. Describe the installation. Sounds like you did not purge the gas line of air. Open gas line near the heater or remove the cap of the drip leg and turn on gas for 30 seconds to push air of gas line. It will take a long time for the air to escape through the pilot light otherwise.