Have you ever turned on the shower or faucet in your kitchen for hot, only to get cold water? Many of us have been in this situation, and our first thought is usually about a problem with the heater. This is especially true if the water heater uses gas. But what causes pilot light to go out on water heater?
It is easier to know that the problem is a power outage if your heater uses electricity. However, the pilot light may have gone out when it uses gas. There are several reasons your water heater’s pilot light goes out.
If you are handy with these things, you may be able to troubleshoot and find the possible cause of the issue. But if you are not sure about what to do, I recommend taking it back to the vendor for proper repairs. This is especially applicable if the product is still under warranty.
Water Heater Pilot Light: What It Is
A water heater needs different parts to work properly if it uses gas instead of electricity. One of them is the pilot light. It is the central point of the water heater because it produces the flame that heats the water. So, there is no hot water without the pilot light.
When you turn on the heater, it doesn’t immediately produce hot water. Instead, it makes the gas flow from the main burner, and the pilot light ignites that gas. Simply put, the pilot light is a small blue flame that lights the gas from the main burner to heat the water.
It contains a pipe that helps the gas flow and allows it to escape through a small tube. As soon as you light the gas from that small tube, the pilot light starts burning. That pilot light is the match that starts the heating process in your water heater – the reason it is always lit and never going out.
If you won’t allow the burner to turn on, it won’t heat the water, meaning you get cold water everywhere. What you need is to check for the blue flame. It is readily visible when you check the heater – the pilot light has gone out.
If you spend some extra money to get a fancy heater, they’ll have an indicator for the light – if the light is off, it will let you know. So, when you’ll have no hot water in the heater, the light will go off saving you from the splash of cold water.
Why Does the Pilot Light Go Out?
Before checking the gas heater to find out what is triggering the pilot light to go off, ensure you turn off the supply valve. This is the main gas valve, and it should be off before you start troubleshooting to prevent gas leaks.
Also, wait at least five minutes after turning it off before doing anything else. That way, the gas that is already in the air and the resultant heat will fully disperse.
The following are the possible causes for the pilot light going out on a water heater:
Thermocouple Is Dirty
The thermocouple in the gas-powered water heating system is like the brain. It has the job of closing the gas valve whenever the pilot light goes off. This prevents gas leaks in the house since there is no flame to use up the released gas. The thermocouple functions by an electric current that the pilot light releases.
Your device will fail to work if it is extremely dirty. What you need is to clean it enough so the electric current flow smoothly to the thermocouple. Once the connection is stable again, the cut-off gas will flow again and the pilot will burn, turning off the pilot light.
You must use sandpaper to clean the thermocouple – the rust and dirt will be sticking like gum there. Don’t worry the gas is already off and the thermocouple is cool – touch it without worry, after disconnecting the power.
Use sandpaper lightly and if you see the dirt coming off, keep going – otherwise, use extra force.
Make sure you do not scrub it too hard to avoid damaging it. Your job is to do it just enough to clean it properly. Once you are done cleaning, turn on the heater and see if it works – check for hot water for confirmation.
The thermocouple can also move from its position. In that case, you must place it correctly and it will start the heater again – rearranging the device might be the best solution here.
Pilot Tube Is Dirty
The pilot tube is a tiny tube that releases gas to the pilot light from the gas pipe. When there is dirt blocking the tube, gas cannot come out, and the pilot light goes off. Because the tube is small, it needs all the space to release gas. Sometimes, the tube is only partially blocked by dirt, so it only supplies a small amount of gas. This causes the pilot light to keep going off.
But don’t worry, it’s a common problem. To fix it, you have to clean the tube. It can be a tricky exercise, but you will need a pin or needle to do the job. You may need to wrap a bit of cloth or tissue around the tip of the needle or pin before cleaning. In some cases, cleaning the tube more than once is your best bet for getting it to work again.
Flex Tube Is Faulty
This is a tube connecting the burner and the gas controller, which allows you to light the system. Sometimes, the debris can block the tube or it can be damaged. When that happens, the flow of gas reduces. Usually, the flex tube does not have issues, however, it’s a good idea to check it thoroughly before determining what to do.
To fix a faulty flex tube, make sure the tube doesn’t have any bends or kinks and straighten it if necessary. While doing that, check the tube for signs of damage or holes. These things can reduce the gas flow, which makes the pilot light go off. If the tube is leaking, it is best for you to replace it.
Thermocouple Is Damaged
Test the thermocouple after cleaning it with a needle or pin. If the problem with the pilot light continues, it could mean that the device is damaged. But before you decide that it is completely damaged, test the thermocouple properly.
Use a multimeter to test it and check the voltage it produces. If the device does not produce at least 20 MV, you will need a new thermocouple. If the voltage reading shows that the MV produced by the thermocouple is close to 20, try moving it closer to the pilot light to see if the voltage improves.
Control Valve Is Defective
Lastly, check the control valve. While it is not common for the main control valve to have a problem, sometimes it malfunctions. Before checking the valve, make sure the following parts are working well
the thermocouple,
the flex pipe,
and the pilot tube.
If everything else is good but the problem remains, you may have a problem with the main gas control valve. The best and safest bet is to replace the valve instead of trying to fix the one that is not working.
FAQs
Is it safe to use my water heater if the pilot light goes out?
Modern water heaters have a feature that automatically shuts off the gas supply if the pilot light goes out, but you might still want to turn off the power supply before attempting to fix the heater. Gas leaks in an enclosed space can be potentially dangerous so it is vital to remain cautious. Also, if the pilot light is out, it means that the heater is not heating the water so you might get doused with cold water if you use it before the problem is fixed.
Will the gas company light my pilot?
In most cases, yes. You can call the gas company and they will send someone to fix the water heater and light your pilot light for you. However, in case the problem is beyond them, you can also contact your vendor and ask them for help if the pilot light goes out on your water heater.
How do I know if my thermocouple is bad?
To check if your thermocouple is bad and needs replacement or maintenance, you can:
Read the instructions on the water tank and try to relight the pilot flame
Hold the button for 60 seconds
Check if the pilot lights and how long the flame stays lit
After following this, if the pilot flame goes out as soon as you release the button then your thermocouple is most likely malfunctioning. In this case, you can either attempt to repair it yourself or call a handyman.
Final Thoughts
Most likely cause of the pilot light going out is a clogged pilot tube followed by a faulty thermocouple. So, you should check these things first. Fortunately, they are easiest to fix.
However, hire a qualified technician to check and repair the pilot issue if nothing else seems to work. It may cost money, but you will be sure to get professional services and a guarantee of a functional water heater.
Hi everyone! My name is Jason, and I am the founder of HeaterWise.com. Having run my own business as a Heating Engineer for 21 years, I have picked up a few things along the way.
I wanted to create Heater Wise as a place where anyone could come, from far and wide, to find the information that they need.
I hope you will join us here at Heater Wise, to get started on your own journey, to expand your knowledge, and make the best heating choices for you and your family.
