Water Heaters - Pilot Light Not Staying Lit

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dmhoover
12-17-07, 04:38 PM
Hey Guys,
Got a rental prop. with a hot water heater pilot light that won't stay lit. Got a call from the tenant, went over and checked it out. Got it to light and fire up, then turned the dial down so it would go back to pilot and and it stayed on. Then turned it back up and it fired back up ok. Got a call from the tenant again a few hours later and it has gone back off and her boyfriend can't get it to stay on. Could the thermocouple need cleaning or replaced? If so, how do you clean it? Not sure of the brand and the plate said it was a 1998 model. I don't think the tank is bad, and as I said it's a rental so I want to try the cheapest route (aspiring slum lord:). Any help would be greatly appreciated.

KField
12-17-07, 08:31 PM
Try replacing the thermocouple first. It could be many problems but that is the most common.

Ken
dmhoover
12-18-07, 07:08 AM
Thanks. Is it a common part that I can get at Lowes or do I have to find a distributor? Is it pretty easy to install?
Thanks.