Unit was new about 14 months ago, worked fine till recently.

Whirlpool BFG1F404053NOV0751118163
Valve: Robert Shaw 64-LF8-376R110 RATSP1

Initially I was able to light the pilot again, and fire the heater and it would work, I believe up to temp, then hours later I'd notice the water going colder, and it would be out again.


When pilot fires, it is blue. If its been a while the main burner will cause sizzles and orange flames, once warm it went away

Pulled and cleaned the thermocouple - same behavior - pilot lit, cycled 1 time, - found hours later cold.

Next day, won't hold a pilot light at all.

Installed new thermocouple, won't hold a pilot.

Replaced thermocouple 2nd time, same won't hold a pilot.

I have the hurricane strap around the base as I have had since new.

Lower air intake grating doesn't appear dirty. There is a fireplace inline after the water heater - It holds pilot and will fire, so I doubt gas is the issue.

I have also checked to see if a breeze back is occurring down the flue, and it doesn't appear to be.

My furnace is right next to it, witch works fine. The day we 1st noticed no hot water, the furnace would light and cycle off. Its TC was a bit dirty, and with a quick rub by hand it was firing like allways

Please hep me with your ideas.

The flame Safe Guard features are causing major problems with the new water heaters.

Your water heater is actually made by this company with a Whirlpool label slapped on to it.

American Water Heaters - Home

You might visit this site and get some pointers about exactly how the new safety system works since there is no reason to go into that here because the posting would take forever. Blame the problem on our Government since they put the new rules in place before the technology was actually working correctly.

BTW here is your manual.

http://www.americanwaterheater.com/s.../BFGmanual.pdf

Replaced gas valve under warranty - that fixed it. I also went to flamelocksupport.com and ordered the upgrade, might as well be upgraded!

Glad you got it working.

I'm having the same problem with my water heater, same gas valve. Where did you get the new valve? Flamelocksupport.com isn't giving me anything, just a search engine