Water Heaters - Pilot burns too low to heat thermocouple

My water heater pilot light burns EXTREMELY low and dim. In fact, you can't even see it in the daytime it's so small. At night I can see it and it's a very small blue flame.

It is so small that it does not warm the thermocouple, rendering it impossible to get the Water Heater going. The thermocouple always thinks the pilot is not lit, even if it is.

To get hot water, I have to light the pilot, then hold the match on the thermocouple to trick it into thinking the pilot light is touching it. Once it's warm enough, I pull the match out and turn the knob from "Pilot" to "On".

This is working as a temp fix, but what is the problem with my pilot? Why is the flame so weak?

Mike

The problem you're describing is likely caused by a partially clogged pilot orifice. There are two ways of clearing this. One is with the use of a pilot pump and blow debris out if it. The other is to clear it out with a fine piece of wire. Be careful you don't enlarge the orifice when doing this.

its the opening on the pilot orifice at the thermocouple mounting...sewing needle will do the trick or remove the pilot assembly and do it on bench.

its the opening on the pilot orifice at the thermocouple mounting...sewing needle will do the trick or remove the pilot assembly and do it on bench.

You must remove the pilot assembly. The orifice is in the pilot. And don't use a needle. If you oversize the orifice you won't need the burner to come on. Be very careful. I've drilled (cleaned) thousands of pilots and oversizing is always just a touch away. And an aaah shoot

You may be able to disconnect the pilot line from the control valve and blow out the pilot assembly thru the pilot line with compressed air.