First try relighting the pilot following the directions pasted on the tank. The thermocouple is a device made up of two dissimilar metals. Another common problem causing the pilot to go out or not stay lit is a failed thermocouple (pilot generator). They are dependent on one another, totally. The thermocouple is the brain of your water heater. Lowenthal charges $185 to replace a bad thermostat and $200 to replace the thermostat … Symptoms of Bad thermocouple or dirty thermistor on gas fired equipment: Short cycling or unexplained on-off cycling of heating equipment has also been traced (by one reader) to a dirty or failing thermocouple (possibly the reader meant a dirty thermistor). When holding down the red button to try light the pilot no gas is produced. Not getting it back together or getting it installed incorrectly will leave you without hot water. For gas-powered water heaters, the thermocouple serves as a safety device to detect if the pilot light is burning. Reinstall the access covers and slowly turn up the temperature until the burner is lit. Thermocouple Furnace. So, this was it on how to clean thermocouple on water heater. Within the burner compartment just in front of the pilot light you will see a small cylindrical metal, this is the thermocouple. … Acceptable range for most water heaters is 17-32 mV. 24\" Honeywell Thermocouple: https://geni.us/PKNsUR8Multimeter: https://geni.us/uDXc19QHow to replace a thermocouple.CLICK HERE: https://youtu.be/Iqku7dztPTsHow to light your water heater's pilot.CLICK HERE: https://youtu.be/WHJ9BgIR2S0Want to support my channel or give back? They are joined together at the tip (Hot Junction). Rheem's Gasket Replacement Kit with Thermocouple contains everything Rheem's Gasket Replacement Kit with Thermocouple contains everything that you need to replace the thermocouple and burner gasket on your Rheem FVIR gas water heater. One end of a thermocouple is connected to the appliance's main gas control valve, while the other end protrudes directly into the pilot light. A screwdriver will allow you to remove the access cover. Use the wrench with moderate pressure to completely tighten the nuts. If a water heater pilot won't light at all, the thermocouple probably isn't the problem. For testing a thermocouple you first have to remove it from the furnace, water heater, or gas appliance where it is installed. Kit ensures safe and reliable operation. Sometimes if the gas valve is just barely bad a hotter thermocouple will work for a short time but finding a hotter thermocouple is just hit and miss. In its probe, the thermocouple contains 2 different metals. It is not necessary to remove the burner assembly in order to replace the thermocouple. 2. When the thermocouple is installed, it "clicks" into position, right in the tip of the flame, so I don't think that's an issue. Do you know that it is one of the important components of your water heater? There are several things you want to check before you assume your gas valve is bad. The kit is required anytime the burner door is removed from the unit so that the gasket can be replaced. When 1 of those 2 metals is heated then the voltage is generated. I changed the thermocouple on my water heater but the pilot will not stay lit. However, unless you are capable of doing this, it is better to call for professional help. The thermocouple and pilot tubes should go into the gas valve. The nuts should be hand tightened to ensure that the threads are not stripped. How to Determine if a Fireplace Thermocouple Failed. But if your water heater is failing that bath you planned may not go so well. We earn a small commission from qualifying purchases through our affiliate links at no additional cost to you.Videos produced by Pros DIY (https://www.prosdiy.com) are provided for informational purposes only. Contractor's Assistant: How long has this been going on? Its function is simple but very important for safety. How a Gas Valve Works. When you see bubbles, shutoff the gas immediately and tighten the fittings further. The burner can be slid out of the unit after disengaging the tab holding it in place. Sometimes when the thermocouple breaks down you may think that the water heater needs replacement. And the worst part is that you can have a bad thermocouple without even knowing. The good news is that this component is fairly inexpensive and simple to repair. Just last week I found the pilot light out before going on vacation. Kenny Lowenthal, owner of Major Appliance Repair in the Jacksonville, Florida, area, says the two most common water heater malfunctions he encounters require replacing either (or sometimes both) a thermostat or a heating element. We hope that all your questions have been answered. Contractor's Assistant: Anything else we should know to help you best? The flame should be blue and steady. The water heater thermocouple is a device that monitors temperatures in the water heater to determine whether it needs to heat up or turn off the heat. It is comprised of two different types of metal, which react differently to heat and expand at different rates, signaling to the water heater when to turn on or off. See the article 'Gas Hot Water Heater Troubleshooting', if you are unsure of your problem. The thermocouple in your water heater keeps the pilot lit by sending a low current electrical signal to keep the gas valve open. Insufficient Hot Water The most common sign of a failing water heater is a lack of sufficient hot water. Well, it sends a tiny electric current to a sensor on the gas valve of the patio heater. I would think if it was faulty, it would stop working completely & … If the thermocouple is a sealed environment, as is used in ultra-high temperature monitoring devices, any exposure to the atmosphere can exacerbate natural decay processes, leading to premature thermocouple failure. I have seen people try 4 thermocouples and the fifth one worked then they claimed the other four were bad. Use the dishwashing liquid solution to check the connections around the pilot light and burner. The burner gas line and pilot gas line connections can be unscrewed using open-end wrenches. Please hire a licensed, certified, professional.Aces High - Funkorama by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100763Artist: http://incompetech.com/ The procedure for lighting a standing pilot always includes lighting the flame, then manually holding in the gas valve to keep the flame burning and give the thermocouple time to heat up. If you still detect a leak after doing this, it is time to call a professional service. The hot water heater will not work with a bad gas water heater thermocouple. They will replace the thermocouple when they do this. If a thermocouple is bad the pilot light WILL NOT STAY LIT AFTER THE RED BUTTON IS RELEASED. Buy on Amazon. If we go deeper then we can understand how this electric signaling happens. ©2020 Scott English Plumbing Inc. All Rights Reserved. 4 years ago. And when the pilot light goes out, you will not have hot water supply in your plumbing system. This means that if the thermocouple goes bad, there is no way of detecting if the pilot light is burning or not. I'm trying to better understand the function of the thermocouple. The thermocouple is triggered by an electric current produced by the pilot light. So your safest bet in fixing it properly is to call Scott English Plumbing so that your water heater can be checked thoroughly and request for a water heater replacement. Source(s): 35 + years of water heater installations and repairs. The replacement should be installed the same way as the old one by taking note of its position and mounting. And when the pilot light goes out, you will not have hot water supply in your plumbing system. It’s responsible for closing the gas valve when it senses the pilot light is off. The pilot light heats the thermocouple, which generates electric current that tells the gas control valve/thermostat to continue to feed gas to the burner assembly. Make sure you rule out simpler repairs first. When heat is applied to that hot junction, a small millivoltage is created. All contributions no matter how small are greatly appreciated!https://www.prosdiy.com/donateThank you!More DIY videos! If you can't get the flame to light at all, and you're sure the gas is on, there's probably an obstruction in the pilot tube. To replace the old thermocouple simply slide it out and push in the replacement. The thermocouple is a safety device on most older furnaces and boilers that tells the gas control valve whether or not your pilot light is burning. When the pilot light remains lit, the thermocouple stays hot, and the pilot gas valve is held open. The thermocouple was used to hold the pilot valve open. They work with any appliance that has a standing pilot light, including water heaters and furnaces. When the water heater pilot light goes out, first try relighting it, following the directions on the water heater label. Its job is to keep the furnace pilot lit. If you hear clicking before the 20 seconds are up, it’s a sign that your system needs repairs. Therefore, if the pilot light was not lit or the thermocouple was bad, the main valve could not open. Before you zip out the door, make sure that you measure the old thermocouple to make sure you get the right sized replacement. Therefore, inspecting and testing your thermocouple should be part of your furnace maintenance. A thermocouple is a device used to satisfy pilot safety on many 24-volt gas systems. Make sure that the burner is turned on when you do this test. Professionals can repair the component easily, but, if the burner assembly is removed, it becomes easier to clean out the burner compartment and the burner as well. Disconnecting the thermocouple would require turning off the gas supply to the unit and turning the temperature valve off. Testing a Thermocouple's Voltage on a Water Heater - YouTube Like the other component parts in your furnace, the thermocouple can wear down over time, producing lower voltage than it should when heated. The burner can be reinstalled after that by pushing its ends. See the articles ' Hot Water Heater Pilot Litght', "Hot Water Heater Thermocouple', before you plan on replacing your gas valve. That provided a means of proving the main burners would ignite when the main valve opened. Let’s take a look at the signs of a failing water heater. Gas can explode, make sure the valve is in the off position before you unhook anything. This Product Adds A Great Value ; Product Is Highly Durable And Very Easy To Use; $29.99 −$2.00 $27.99. Pros DIY does not assume any responsibility or liability for any damage or injury from the information provided in our videos. Often a bad thermocouple is the reason why a water heater pilot does not ignite or the burner does not stay lit. A worn out thermocouple is one of the most common gas water heater problems When thermocouples wear out, the pilot light goes out, the burner won’t light, and you will have no hot water. Yes. And testing for leaks just requires a small brush and dishwashing liquid. This means that if the thermocouple goes bad, there is no way of detecting if the pilot light is burning or not. Why would the control valve/thermostat work intermittently? This … The installation detail can vary depending on your water heater manufacturer. A bad thermocouple is the most likely culprit when your Whirlpool water heater fails to heat the water in the tank. To test if the problem is with the thermocouple, try to relight the pilot. Last … A faulty thermocouple may be at fault. Help me improve on these DIY videos by making a financial contribution. If the pilot light goes out, the thermocouple temperature falls, causing the voltage across the thermocouple to drop and the valve to close. If you need to buy a replacement, just head on down to your local home center or hardware store. A thermocouple is a heat-activated switch that tells your gas-fired appliance when heat is needed. To test if the problem is with the thermocouple, try to relight the pilot. If their is a good flame on the thermocouple then it is a bad gas valve. Still, if there are any left then you can ask them in the comments below. Before you can actually diagnose and identify that the problem has something to do with the thermocouple, you have to know where it is located. Would a bad thermocouple stop all flow of gas to the pilot even when the red button is held down? The water heater pilot light is a small flame that ignites the gas burner on your water heater. Please check with all national, state, provincial, and local codes and regulations before attempting any work. Reliance Water Heater 9007876 Gas Thermopile Assembly, Pack of 1 . This signals the valve to stay open. Usually, a lighter will suffice for the test. To make certain the thermocouple is bad you have to test it. Have you ever heard about the thermocouple or have any idea exactly what it is? Replacing the thermocouple is fairly simple to do and requires only a few wrenches to allow you to remove the burner. When the pilot goes out, this component send a signal to the gas valve to make sure that it remains closed while the pilot light is not yet lit. You are also dealing with natural gas. Only professionals have the parts and legal licensing to replace a gas valve. Source(s): https://shrinks.im/a8ATn. I asked a previous question about a broken 2004 water heater. If the pilot doesn’t relight, if it goes out right after lighting or if it goes out repeatedly, by far the most common cause is a bad thermocouple. In simple terms, when the thermocouple does not sense flame, it prevents the gas valve from delivering gas to the burner. Sale. If it goes out when you release the button, then the component has worn out. Contractor's Assistant: Do you plan on doing the work yourself? There is no gas getting to the pilot. The tip of the thermocouple is called the hot junction and is where the two dissimilar metals join. A thermocouple is basically a safety device on the heater. Both the thermocouple and gas valve may be bad. How to test a thermocouple's voltage using a multimeter. This is for those of you who thought that the pilot has nothing to do with a thermocouple. Pilot light keeps going out? Attached alligator clips to your multimeter and attach one to the very … The thermocouple generates a small amount of electrical current when it has been heated by the flame. Make sure the gas is turned off before you attempt any repairs. Most standard electric water heaters have two thermostats and two elements. Determine if a Fireplace thermocouple Failed means that if the problem is with the thermocouple down... Sure you get the right sized replacement making a financial contribution pilot has nothing to do and only. Do you know that it is important to make sure that the water heater will not stay is! Responsible for closing the gas immediately and tighten the fittings further water the most common of... Well as the old one by taking note of its position and mounting relight the pilot will not work any! Will not have hot water burners would ignite when the pilot light was not lit or burner. Take a look at the signs of a failing water heater keeps the pilot tube. 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bad thermocouple water heater

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