Why does the pilot light on my gas hot water heater keep going out?

If the pilot light goes out, the thermocouple senses the drop in temperature and signals for the gas valve to close. If you have a faulty thermocouple is the most common reason that your pilot light is malfunctioning. Over time your water heater will collect dirt, dust and other kinds of debris.

Why is the pilot light on my gas water heater not working?

pilot light on my Reliance 501 gas water heater won’t stay lit when you turn it from light pilot to on, it goes out as soon as the knob pops up. What … LP gas water heater pilot would not light. Not rated yet Had some new LP gas line and tank installed, after all leak checks were good, fire up the water heater.

Why does my gas water heater keep going out?

If you can light your pilot light, but it keeps going out, the first item to check is the thermocouple. When the water heater is first lit, a valve releases gas into the burner, and the pilot light ignites that gas.

Why does my water pilot keep going out?

Therefore, a dirty thermocouple might be the reason why your water pilot keeps going out. A layer of dirt and grime can hinder the electric current from reaching the thermocouple. As a result, the gas supply will be cut off and the pilot light will go out.

How does a gas hot water heater work?

Here’s how the process works: Gas is sent to the pilot light via your main gas valve Once the pilot light is on, the thermopile activates the main gas burners to heat your water So, as long as the pilot light lights, you’ll get hot water.

Why is the pilot light on my water heater not working?

After cleaning, make sure you check on the thermocouple’s position. Also, check if it’s slightly bent. The thermocouple needs to be near the pilot light for it to receive heat and open the gas valve. If it’s too far away, heat will not be received and, therefore, an electric current will not be produced.

Why does my gas water heater keep shutting off?

The thermopile component of your water heater is most often a metal rod located next to the pilot burner. It’s purpose is to trigger the gas controls to turn on. Basically, the pilot light is on, the thermopile is heated by this flame and generates electrical energy for the purpose of powering the electronic components inside the gas controls.

Therefore, a dirty thermocouple might be the reason why your water pilot keeps going out. A layer of dirt and grime can hinder the electric current from reaching the thermocouple. As a result, the gas supply will be cut off and the pilot light will go out.

What does the thermocouple do in a water heater?

The purpose of the thermocouple apparatus is to act as a safety device. It turns the supply of gas off when the pilot light dies out. If the thermocouple in your water heater malfunctions in some way, the pilot light simply won’t stay on.