I bought a Kenmore power miser gas water heater in May of 2002 The
First 3 years and 8 month's I had the waterheater I did not have 1 problem.
In January of 2006 the light went out and tried to light it. It stayed
Lid until I released the button and it went out. I called sears
Because it is a Kenmore water heater and someone came and replaced the
Thermocouple. About 6 month later that year it went out again. I lid it this
Time and it worked fine for over a year. 2 weeks ago on the 12th it went out. It lid back up enough to warm the water then went out again. I called a differnet plumbing company and they said the old thermocouple was loose and just replaced it to be safe. So in
The fist 4 years no problems and in the last 2 years I replaced the
Thermocouple twice and it went out 3 times total. I have paid for 2 service
visits and still feel there is a bigger problem? What do you think?

Did they tightened the bottom of the pilot tube it sometimes gets loose and leaks causing the cold junction on the thermocouple to open also cleaning the burner area with a vacuum helps but check the bottom of the pilot to make sure there's not a little flame no the nut just below if there is try tighting

It is really disappointing after a couple of professionals have worked on it, you are here looking for help. Make sure the thermocouple is in the flame of the pilot light. Be careful to replace any covers. They can help keep a draft from blowing the flame away from the thermocouple. Although replacing the thermocouple is often a cheap, easy fix, no way should you have needed a new one ever year.

Has anything changed in your home around the time the problem started? Maybe a new fireplace, bathroom fan, attic pull down stairs case? Labman is correct, they just don't fail this quickly so maybe there are other unidentified issues leading to the problem.

Nothing has changed at all. The last that came said that the old thermocouple was loose and maybe that is what it is causing this problem. He replaced it to a new one just in case.
Every plumber I speak with keeps saying that it's the thermocouple.

Look out next to the gas meter. Is there a tee looking down with a short piece of capped pipe coming out of the branch of the tee? If so then this is a drip loop. Its function is to collect moisture and condensate before it can get into your system and extinguish the pilot lite. This pipe can fill up from time to time and allow moisture to enter along with the gas. This could be the source of your problem. The4 solution would be to shut the gas off at the meter and drain the drip loop. Good luck, Tom

What would happen if you didn't have a drip loop either at the meter or at the water heater?

Quote:

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Wouldn't that affect the burner too? What would happen if you didn't have a drip loop either at the meter or at the water heater?

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If moisture entered along with the gas it would get to the pilot lite first. If there4 were no drip loop then moisture in the gas line would not be trapped.
Regards, tom

I had the same problem with the pilot going out. I pulled my hair out trying to figure it out. I finally switched out the thermocouple with a new one from OSH. It was about $8. The difference was, the replacement did not have the TCO unit in line. The TCO looks like a little disc and it has a "160" stamped on it. This little thing is supposed to turn the gas off if the air temp in the sealed unit hits 160 degrees as a safety device. I think all of the replacement parts from Sears have the TCO also, and it goes bad fast. The new one from OSH (without the TCO) has been working now for about a week. Keeping the fingers crossed.

Hello Dave,

Welcome to this web site it is great to have you, and appreciates for sharing your experience with us, this is old post from 2007, I am sure his problem is fixed, Thanks.

Regards,
John

IT CAN be a breathing problem related to clogged filters, BUT ALSO
Can be FIXED by reducing the gas pressure to the unit by slightly
Turning the knife switch so the gas isn't so "full blast". The pilot light
Actually goes out when the unit turns off and stops the heating and the
Air flow then is very violent. Less violent flames, less air needed, stays lit
With less gas pressure. Does not effect heating really.
Yes, and clean filters too! THIS WORKS AND IS SOOOOO EASY!

Hello Thetrueonly,

Welcome to this web site it is great to have you, and appreciates for sharing your experience with us, this is old post from 2007, I am sure his problem is fixed, Thanks.

Regards,
John

Get rid of the cat!
Seriously, the new gas water heaters only source of air to keep the pilot lit is through a screen under the bottom. This screen can become clogged with cat ((or dog) hair or even dust bunnies. Clean periodically with brush and or vacuum.