Water Heaters - Gas Hot Water Heater - Burner not staying on
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ctarmen2
12-25-04, 07:41 PM
Hi everyone,
Let me thank everyone in advance for any information, this looks like an excellent site, with lots of information! Here is the situation:
My father in law has a State gas hot water heater. Today there is no hot water. Today he went out and the pilot light was out. So, he lit it and it has stayed on since. After he lit it the burner came on for a while, then shut off. The water is not hot and the burner is not coming back on. My thinking is that the thermostat is bad. But, I guess that there could be something wrong with the burner. If the burner comes on for a little while when the pilot light is first lit, I would think that the burner would be ok. Anyone have any idea of where to start the troubleshooting and the most likely cause of the problem? Once again, thanks a lot for the help!
Colin
Let me thank everyone in advance for any information, this looks like an excellent site, with lots of information! Here is the situation:
My father in law has a State gas hot water heater. Today there is no hot water. Today he went out and the pilot light was out. So, he lit it and it has stayed on since. After he lit it the burner came on for a while, then shut off. The water is not hot and the burner is not coming back on. My thinking is that the thermostat is bad. But, I guess that there could be something wrong with the burner. If the burner comes on for a little while when the pilot light is first lit, I would think that the burner would be ok. Anyone have any idea of where to start the troubleshooting and the most likely cause of the problem? Once again, thanks a lot for the help!
Colin
lefty
12-26-04, 05:23 AM
ctarmen2,
Welcome to DoItYourself.com and the Water Heater forum.
Start by replacing the thermocoupler. Most of the time that will cure the problem that your father-in-law is experiencing.
If the problem still persists after you have done that, then you are looking at either a bad gas valve, or a problem with the gas line feeding the WH. Is there a drip leg in the gas line, just before the WH? This is a nipple (usually 1/2") about 6" long that is teed into the line and points down, with a cap on the bottom of it.
Welcome to DoItYourself.com and the Water Heater forum.
Start by replacing the thermocoupler. Most of the time that will cure the problem that your father-in-law is experiencing.
If the problem still persists after you have done that, then you are looking at either a bad gas valve, or a problem with the gas line feeding the WH. Is there a drip leg in the gas line, just before the WH? This is a nipple (usually 1/2") about 6" long that is teed into the line and points down, with a cap on the bottom of it.