pilot light on water heater won't stay lit, what could the problem be?

More than likely it is a thermocouple problem.They are in-exspensive. It is the little wire or rod sticking in the middle of where the flame of the pilot light is. The heat of the pilot flame causes an electrical current between a sandwhich of two metals in the thermocouple. This is detected at the base of the gas flow to allow the main gas supply to come on.

1. Make sure everything could be just fine. Relight the pilot light and hold down the gas supply/pilot button for at least 2 minutes. If you raise the button before the thermocouple warms up, the mechanism will shut it down.

2. If it still won't remain lit.... try using a little bit of fine sandpaper to clean it and try the above procedure again. Corrosion and soot on the thermocouple may be insulating it enough to fool the sensor into thinking the pilot flame has gone out and it will then close the gas supply to it.

3. If it still won't stay lit then just replace it. about $6 -10 at a hardware store or Home Depot.

4. Some other reasons. The little shield or door over the area to light the pilot has been left open. When someone upstairs opens a door to the outside, more air can be forced through the bottom of the water heater snuffing out the pilot flame. (close the metal door after lighting, putting a bi-metal heat damper in the chimney duct will also help prevent this.) This closes off flow of warm air up the chimney after the water heater is done with heating cycle.

5. If you have had a flood recently, water could have entered into the pilot feed line interfering with gas flow. (clean out the line)

Some newer units are electronic ignition and in that case you will hear a spark like on a gas stove. These units do not keep a pilot light lit untill there is a demand for heat. Those types can have multiple reasons for failure. If the pilot is supposed to be lit all the time then it is the older technology and the thermocouple is the likely problem.

RX is probably right, but forgot one thing.

What does your pilot flame look like?

It should be a good strong blue flame.(you shoud be able to hear it when it's lit)

If it's a lazy yellow or orange flame, than the pilot is dirty and needs to be cleaned.

Your thermocouple will not work properly if the flame is not strong enough to surround it and heat it.

Get a soft long bristled brush and througly clean your pilot paying special attention to the orfice at the bottom of the hood.

If you have access to an air compressor just blow it out good.

If it's really rusty and can't be cleaned up you can buy a retro-fit pilot kit for about $15 and just replace it. Make sure to get one suited for the type of gas you use (propane or natural) since they come with different sized orfices and are NOT interchangable.

Since you have to take it all apart anyway it's worth it just to replace the pilot and thermocouple, to avoid the hastle for a few more years.

Good luck

That will be the thermocouple. They are about $8 to $12 and are available at most hardware stores. They come in a variety of lengths(12,18,24) inches. They are easy to replace. One side screws into the gas valve and the other side clamps into place and the tip sits right in the pilot flame. Pay close attention when removing the original and you weill see what I mean. Good luck Just in case you do not know this you must turn off the gas and relight pilot when you are done.

what's occurring maximum probable through age is...... The holes the propane come out of comprise grimy.(Rust flakes) especially the holes that first do away with darkness from close to the pilot....better gas leaks in until the different holes spewing propane capture hearth. this is particularly violent and it unquestionably will blow your pilot easy out. you may desire to poke a skinny yet company cord to unclog those next to the pilot. (3 or 4). Then the heater could easy good away and have not have been given any build as much as blow it out. that's what you may do in the experience that your smart. Get a clean water heater. The greater modern-day ones will pay for themselves in a pair of years through fact there a lot greater effective than your 9 365 days previous..........that's not something you opt to play around with. this is doubtlessly risky. you will not waste your money by using figuring out to purchase for a clean one. Make a pair of telephone demands expenditures and installation, get your appropriate deal..........this would be a good concept even in the experience that your pilot replaced into not likely out.........9 years, you're waiting. don't get a guy to come again in and fix it for much less money. positioned that money in the direction of a clean one and be carried out with it. Been there a lot, believe me, I even have 6 of them.

Mitch, Skin and Rooster are probably right. Don't tamper too much though. If it is an older unit these fixes should work. Newer ones are harder to service because a few people blew up their houses made the government mandate units that are barely serviceable by qualified technicians.

pilot sensor needs replacing. it is a safety device that shuts the gas flow off if pilot goes out. it costs about $10. easy to replace. it is a copper tube with a sensor(small bulb like end) . goes from thermostat to pilot.

Go get a 24" thermocouple. Replace the existing one. Bamm! You R N service again!

pilot light is broke