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Author Topic: I stink.  (Read 649 times)

Offline Legate

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I stink.
« on: November 29, 2006, 04:08:30 AM »
Two nights ago the pilot light on my hot water tank went out.  The next morning I tried relighting as per the directions but nothing seems to happen. Even though I can hear gas being released when I press and hold the button down, even inserting a BBQ lighter to the pilot valve won't ignite it.  The gas lines seem to be alright because my gas furnace is fine.

I thought it might be a bad thermocouple ($8.00 to fix on your own or $100.00 for someone else) but seeing as how I can actually hear gas being released when the button is compressed I don't see how that could be the case.  The problem isn't getting the pilot to stay lit, the problem is lighting it at all.

Any ideas?

Bad time to have to buy a new hot water tank with christmas right around the corner.
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Offline MrRiplEy[H]

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« Reply #1 on: November 29, 2006, 04:46:35 AM »
If it won't light with a lighter there's no gas coming out. Or if there is, it's too small an amount that will get dispersed too quickly.

Gas operation is pretty straight cut - if it's there it will light or go bang on you. :D
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Offline Legate

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« Reply #2 on: November 29, 2006, 05:40:23 AM »
Well, I made sure there wasn't enough buildup of gas to cause a problem when I tried the BBQ lighter.  With one attempt the gas ignited that had collected at the base, but it didn't catch on the pilot.  So, there has to be gas coming out, but I can't smell it so there might not be a lot...

I've also noticed a small leak just above the pilot and I think this is what originally put it out.  

I really hope I don't need a new tank.
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Offline bj229r

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« Reply #3 on: November 29, 2006, 06:12:11 AM »
try cleaning  the pilot hole  with one of those fuzzy pipe cleaners-- I have propane in my house...have to do that twice a year
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Offline eagl

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« Reply #4 on: November 29, 2006, 06:51:59 AM »
Try hiring an expert to take a look at it before you burn down your house.
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Offline AWMac

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« Reply #5 on: November 29, 2006, 07:02:03 AM »
Crank up the gas to the max and leave it like that for ohhh maybe an hour... go to local bar and have a few beers, seek advice.

Go home and try to relight it again... it should work now.

Mac.
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Offline DREDIOCK

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« Reply #6 on: November 29, 2006, 07:32:43 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by eagl
Try hiring an expert to take a look at it before you burn down your house.


Now what you have to go and tell him that for.
I wa going to tell him to first take macs advise but before lighting the pilot to set up a webcam and make sure he has a good connect and is broadcasting so we can watch and help diagnose the problem.

:D
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Offline JB88

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« Reply #7 on: November 29, 2006, 07:35:55 AM »
i had a similar problem many years ago with a furnace.  turned out to be a bad mercury switch on the thermostat.

« Last Edit: November 29, 2006, 07:48:40 AM by JB88 »
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« Reply #8 on: November 29, 2006, 07:42:42 AM »
dorothy's lands in oz, details at eleven.  what eagl said.
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Offline FiLtH

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« Reply #9 on: November 29, 2006, 08:22:21 AM »
Amen...don't mess around with gas.
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Offline AWMac

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« Reply #10 on: November 29, 2006, 08:47:51 AM »
I agree with Dred.... this must be a webcam moment!!!

Dude you'll make History!!!

<<>> I'm not worthy!!!!!

:aok

Mac
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Offline Jackal1

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« Reply #11 on: November 29, 2006, 09:45:31 AM »
Thermocoupling............... ...................
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Offline Chairboy

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« Reply #12 on: November 29, 2006, 09:55:26 AM »
I'm leaning toward the thermocouple or....  user.  Easy things first, when the flame caught, how long did you hold the button before letting go?

If I read you right above and the flame couldn't get to the pilot, then it's not the thermocouple because you're bypassing it by pressing the button.  I think that would indicate a gas flow problem.  

Sanity check: Is the gas still on in the house?  I had a similar situation (even to the point of hearing gas and getting a little flicker) when a series of unfortunate events ended with the gas being shut off in our apartment many years ago.
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Offline Sixpence

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« Reply #13 on: November 29, 2006, 10:11:23 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by Legate
I've also noticed a small leak just above the pilot and I think this is what originally put it out.  

I really hope I don't need a new tank.


A water leak? If your tank has a water leak it's time to replace it, especially if it's over 7-10 years old. The anode rod has probably rotted away and now the tank is rotting.

I just replaced mine last week. Wife went to take a shower and there was no hot water. Went to the basement and there was water everywhere. I have gas also, went to sears and got a 30 gal power miser 9 for about $340.00. I stayed with the 30 gal because combined with gas the small tank makes for quick recovery, we very rarely run out of hot water.

I used to work with a friend of mine, we replaced dozens of them so I knew what I was doing, even brought the old gas line up to code.

Natural gas can be intimidating, but it is low pressure and if the job is done right you will have no problems. You can check for leaks of current(and new)connections with soap & water(it will bubble).

It also saves you money, I cook and heat my hot water with gas and my bill is under $25 a month. If I was doing both with electricity it would cost me at least four times that. My brother has his hot water connected to his boiler(oil) and he has gone through a tank of oil the past month.

So if you replace it and are thinking of going electric, my advice would be to stick with gas. Good luck.
« Last Edit: November 29, 2006, 10:24:45 AM by Sixpence »
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Offline WhiteHawk

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« Reply #14 on: November 29, 2006, 05:06:16 PM »
If there is a thermocupple, (a small cylindrical thingy attached to some wires, you have to get that hot before it will let the gas come out when your not holding the gas button.  Try to hold the button, light the gas and keep holding the button for a bit until the thermocupple gets hot.  The puropose of the thermocupple is to ensure there is fire enough to burn whatever gas comes out.  it will shut down the gas in the absence of flame.  If you hear gas coming out and you try to light it and it blows out the match, then i dunno what that could be.  Weak gas or weak match iguess.
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