DU Plumbers, Handypersons, electricians- need advice- my water heater

[Beaverhausen]

My water heater's pilot light was out monday morning. The gas company came and relit it in the afternoon. It was out again that evening.

They came again tuesday afternoon and lit it and it was out by evening again.

My landlord came tuesday night and relit it. He also turned the temperature on the heater up. It has remained lit since he turned it on.

He postulated that it has been so cold in SoCal that it just went out since I don't leave the heat on during the day.

My question is - would the cold really effect the pilot light- the heater is in a hallway in my apt. It doesn't really get THAT cold...maybe 60 degrees.

Or do you think the fact that it stayed lit is due to him turning up the temperature?

thanks!

I just want to avoid any more lukewarm showers.

[ogradda]

1. well that happens to me sometimes

not very often tho. i didn't know the cold had anything to do with it. i just relit it myself.

[Beaverhausen]

9. Relighting it seemed a bit more complicated

but I guess I need to learn how.

[Old and In the Way]

2. Sounds like a blockage in the fuel line.

Perhaps opening it a crack has allowed the fuel to flow better.

[XNASA]

3. It never gets cold enough to extinguish a gas pilot light.

Well, not anywhere in California.

It might be staying lit now because the burner is turning on more often and therefore keeping it lit.

There's often an adjustment for the pilot light 'strength'. Usually a screw someplace on the gas valve.

To my knowledge, the most likely suspects are: A breeze that blows it out. Sometimes that breeze is caused by the burner itself when it shuts off. Or poor gas pressure, sometimes caused by a dirty gasline.

But I doubt that the ambient temperature of the heater location would ever cause the pilot light to go out.

:shrug:

[dljordan]

4. Pilot light

There is no way the 60 degrees is cold enough to cause your pilot light to go out. I've heard of people with propane lines that were frozen by low temps but we're talking about minus 30 or so. I live in Northern Colorado and mine never goes out unless they're working on the gas lines. These people are lying to you or are just ignorant. 60 degrees, I wish. Turning up the temp only means he's increasing the temp of the water, he's not turning up the temp on the pilot light.

[illflem]

5. Could be with the recent unusual cold

that the wind is coming in from a different direction than normal and deflecting off the roof down the vent pipe.

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

6. The thermo-coupler...

... needs to be replaced. Should cost about $10-20 for a new one. I haven't had to replace one in ten years so I am not sure about the cost. Most hardware stores have them, get your water heater make/model and serial number if you can find it and take it to a hardware store that actually has a handyman (such as an Ace Hardware or a small town hardware store) or help desk and explain your situation.

I had the same problem with my water heater and I replaced it myself and got another three years use out of it. The thermo-coupler becomes corroded/worn from the constant flame and that causes the flame to be too small, hence it goes out easily.

[Beaverhausen]

7. That is what the gas company thought it was

this heater is fairly new - I'd say 8 years old.

They offered to replace that part for $50.

[Ernesto]

8. Ask (tell) the landlord to take care of it. n/t

[Beaverhausen]

10. Kicking my thread for the evening handypersons

[dweller]

12. agree with the thermocoupler solution

sometimes enough dust/dirt/moisture buildup also can cause a problem.

An 8 yr old unit could have worn out the thermocouple by now. If it's really gone, the pilot wouldn't even light (i believe).

and your landlord should have to take care of it.

good luck
dp

[sangh0]

11. DO gas heaters have a filter?

I used to live in a place with an oil burning water heater, and it constantly went out becuase my landlord was to cheap to clean his tank and change his filter.

[TexasSissy]

13. Post your question in this site:

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/

Choose the forum having to do with plumbing or house repair or such things. Someone will know something about it! I've never posted a question that didn't receive a response.

As for room temperature affecting the pilot light, all I can tell you is that my gas water heater is in a closet in my garage, where it gets below freezing several times a year. My pilot light has never gone out. My water heater is about 8 years old, I think.

How old is your water heater? Could there be a draft near the pilot light caused by some change recently? It could be that a part is wearing out, also. If changing the temperature in the water heater affects the pilot light, just how cold or not-hot was your water, for the light to go out? I THINK (not sure) that some pilot lights go on and off, depending on the need of the water in the heater. I can hear mine flare on and off (it flares up after I use a lot of hot water, cause now the water heater has to get crackin' to heat the new cold water that went into the water heater).