6 reasons why a water heater pilot light won t stay lit written by perry carpenter on mar 08 2010.
Envirotemp water heater pilot light won t stay lit.
The gas supply to the pilot assembly is controlled by this valve.
If your pilot light won t stay lit this can be for a few different reasons.
Turn the control valve to on.
So what s the deal.
Although a blocked gas line is one reason why the pilot light on a rheem water heater won t light or stay lit there are other reasons as well some easier to correct than others.
The thermocouple the gas pressure or the light itself.
Even after trying to relight the pilot light you still may experience it going off.
This control is part of the gas valve assembly and normally has a dial that will allow for temperature adjustment and will also have a probe that monitors the water temperature.
When the gas burner comes on use a 50 50 dish soap water mix to test the screw joints for air bubbles that indicate leaks.
A faulty thermocouple or malfunction of the gas valve could be the culprit but the problem may be as simple as a draft coming from a crack in the wall or under the door.
Here are 5 reasons why your pilot light won t stay lit and how you can fix it.
Reopen the shutoff valve.
When a pilot light won t stay lit on your gas water heater this is exactly what you can expect.
Relight the pilot light.
Not only does it prevent a furnace from operating properly but an unlit pilot can also steal away the comforts of a hot morning shower.
Without it the water heater won t be able to maintain internal temperatures allowing the water to cool off.
Test for gas leaks.
Pilot light issues are some of the most common problems experienced with gas water heaters.
This equipment is the core reason why your water heater functions it also knows if the pilot light is on or off through an electric current that draws power from the pilot s heat.
If your gas water heater doesn t stay lit you may have a defective control thermostat.
Once the thermocouple detects that the pilot light isn t lit it turns the gas off as a safety measure.
A pilot light in a hot water tank is what allows your water tank to heat up.
A pilot light that won t stay lit is more than frustrating.
Troubleshooting these problems with a water heater s pilot light can be done at home.
