Water Heaters - Water Heater won't stay lit
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jhhowell
01-12-09, 03:30 PM
Hi Guys:
A.O. Smith water heater - approx. 3 yrs. old. Pilot will light and water heater will stay lit for one to as much as six days (so far) and then go out. In reading all of the other related posts, which for the record are great), I am aware of the potential of a bad thermocouple or gas valve, but my question is...the natural gas company just completed the total replacement of all six inch and four inch mains and some two inch laterals. When you speak of restricted orafice in the gas valve, is it a possibility that some "trash" entered the lines during the previously mentioned work? Thanking you in advance for responding.
Jim
A.O. Smith water heater - approx. 3 yrs. old. Pilot will light and water heater will stay lit for one to as much as six days (so far) and then go out. In reading all of the other related posts, which for the record are great), I am aware of the potential of a bad thermocouple or gas valve, but my question is...the natural gas company just completed the total replacement of all six inch and four inch mains and some two inch laterals. When you speak of restricted orafice in the gas valve, is it a possibility that some "trash" entered the lines during the previously mentioned work? Thanking you in advance for responding.
Jim
SeattlePioneer
01-12-09, 11:31 PM
I used to be a fitter for the local gas company, so I can tell you that yes, that's a possibility.
We typically vented out gas lines at high pressure and all kind of crap could come out --- I always expected a missing neighborhood cat to pop out, myself. Sometimes "pigs" were pushed through with compressed air or gas to clean things out.
There should also be a "drip leg" on each appliance which allows debris or water to drop down and collect in an idle length of gas piping, rather than being drawn into the appliance.
In any case, a dirty ilot burner that needs to be cleaned is a likely cause of your problem.
Why don't you call your gas utility and tell them of the work and your suspicions and ask if they have someone who will clean it for you, preferably at no charge?
We typically vented out gas lines at high pressure and all kind of crap could come out --- I always expected a missing neighborhood cat to pop out, myself. Sometimes "pigs" were pushed through with compressed air or gas to clean things out.
There should also be a "drip leg" on each appliance which allows debris or water to drop down and collect in an idle length of gas piping, rather than being drawn into the appliance.
In any case, a dirty ilot burner that needs to be cleaned is a likely cause of your problem.
Why don't you call your gas utility and tell them of the work and your suspicions and ask if they have someone who will clean it for you, preferably at no charge?
jhhowell
01-14-09, 12:02 PM
Seattle Pioneer...thanks for the reply. How hard is it to remove the gas control valve to clean the oriface? Is it necessary to remove it completely?
Thanks,
Jim
Thanks,
Jim
SeattlePioneer
01-15-09, 01:03 AM
It's probably the pilot burner orifice that needs to be cleaned. Usually you need to looden the pilot gas fitting where it goes into the water heater gas valve/thermostat and the thermocouple fitting from the gas valve, then the pilot assembly can be removed from the burner compartment. Disassemble and clean the pilot burner, and remove the piulot orifice from the fitting in the piulot burner and clean it with a wire from a wire brush.