Kitchen Gas Appliances - Erratic water heater pilot

About three years ago, our gas water heater pilot was not staying lit. A technician came out and replaced the thermocouple. This seemed to solve the problem, but about a year later it reoccurred.

However, after several days of not staying lit, the unit would be fine again. A few months might go by, and then the pilot would go on the fritz for another several days or week.

This has happened probably 10 times over a couple of years. It seems to have happened when the outside weather turned very cold or windy (but not always). The basement is well protected from any weather!

What could account for such episodes, separated by perfect performance? Is it something to do with inconsistencies in the gas supply?

The pilot flame doesn't look great now...half yellow, half blue. I would appreciate any troubleshooting tips. I am fairly handy and have replaced gas ignition parts on dryers, ovens etc.

Thanks for any advice.

Hello: Greg. Welcome to my Gas Appliances topic.

Since the pilot flame has yellow in it, the pilot assembly has to be cleaned out. Quickiest way to accomplish this is to turn the control to the off position.

Remove the two covers on the burner compartment. Using a can of computer keyboard cleaner, blow out the dust, lint and or debris in the pilot assembly.

There will be two tiny holes in the pilot assembly beneath the pilots flame on the assembly. Be sure to blow those out too. Insert the plastic extension into the same opening where the flame is visable and blow out from the direction also.

Re light the pilot and note the color. Should now be all blue, hotter appearing and encircling the tip of the thermocouple. If not, try once again using the compressed chemical.

Once that is completed and the pilot appears all blue, re install the inner firebox cover and turn the control to the 'on' setting. Allow for a few days to pass. Post back the results using the reply button. Interested in knowing the results.

Regards & Good Luck. Sharp Advice
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Thanks for the advice. Can't wait to get home tonight and start!

It's dark and cramped and I've never had a good look at the pilot assembly to know what it's make-up is. Other than the two tiny holes you mention, are there other places I should be directing my clean-out spray?

Thanks again. :)

The orifice With the two small holes is where the gas comes out. Around that is the venturi that lets the air mix with the gas this is where you will find most of the dirt that causes the pilot to burn yellow. This is what you have to blow out with the air can .After you put it all back and light it tap on it a little this also helps clean it out ;) ED

Hi: Greg

To answer your question, yes, insert the plastic tube directly into the tube where the pilot flame is visable. Blowout the flame first or turn off the gas at the control by rotating the control knob to the "Off" position.

Insert the plastic extension tube into the tube where the pilot flame exits from and blast the spray into that tube as well as the two tiny air intake openings beneath the flame on the pilot assembly. Looking closely you will see them.

The two holes provide intake air to the pilots flame so it can burn blue. Those two holes let air in not gas out. Gas comes out from the orifice which is just beneath the two air intake holes.

Recapping, insert the plastic tube into both side air intak holes and also down the throat of the pilot tube where us see the pilot flame. All three steps must be done seperately and completely.

First blast into the pilot tube where the pilot flame is visable. Than into each side air intake hole beneath the pilot flame on the pilot assembly. The two air intakes may be on the nut which attaches the pilot gases aluminum tube to the pilot assembly.

This all should be clearly understood once you actually see the pilot assembly inside the firebox and the pilot assembly. Not difficult to do and once done correctly, often resolves the primary problem or at least the yellow flame condition.

Good Luck,
Sharp Advice.