Reliance water heater pilot light won’t stay lit

[MasterPlumbersKeymaster]

I’m looking for some assistance to resolve my pilot light problem. My warranty company has sent out technicians and each time they successfully relight the pilot but in less than 24 hours, the pilot light goes out and won’t relight. The pilot light goes out after the water has been heated and the burner goes off. The water heater is only 18 months old. Any assistance is appreciated. Thanks.

[CincinnatiPlumbingParticipant]

Try replacing the thermocoupling. Thats that little copper wire looking thing coming out of the bottom of the gas control valve and mounts right next to the pilot. What that thermocoupling does is sends a signal to the gas control valve that the pilot is lit thus making the valve allow gas into the system. When these go bad the pilot light wont stay lit. Its an inexpensive repair.

Good luck

[SelgasParticipant]

Jetgrunt

There are really two possibilities to investigate to resolve your problem – the first being to check that the pilot light is burning a clean clear blue and the tip of the flame is touching the thermocouple wire lead head. If the pilot flutters away from the thermocouple end then the tip of the proble will cool and shut down the pilot assembly – it is a safety feature.
Secondly if I understand your statement correctly you say a service person has been a relights the pilot for you then after the water has reached it’s preset temperature the pilot goes out – then the problem will be with the gas control valve in fact the ECO device fitted to it. To resolve this problem the total gas valve will have to be replaced. Ask your serviceperson to undertake the ECO device check as soon as the temperature has been reached – if the main burner goes out but the pilot remains alight then the problem does not lie with the gas valve but more likely with the thermocouple lead itself.
Hope all of this assists you.

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Selgas Services Ltd
Craftsman Gasfitters, Plumbers, Electrical Service Technicians

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