Gas Water Heater Thermocouple Issues

It is important to make sure that there are no leaks on your water heater after you replace the thermocouple.

Gas water heater thermocouple issues.

Reinstall the access covers and slowly turn up the temperature until the burner is lit. If the thermocouple is working you should be able to measure 30 to 40 millivolts of voltage at the connection end of the tube when the pilot flame is on. A bad gas valve will not allow any gas to go to the burner or pilot light. The gas water heater thermocouple is a safety device.

The gas water heater thermocouple is the safety element that is designed to inform a gas control valve is the pilot flame on or off and open or close the gas to the main burner. Go to the article gas water heater thermocouple issues for information on this common repair. A worn out thermocouple is one of the most common gas water heater problems when thermocouples wear out the pilot light goes out the burner won t light and you will have no hot water. If simple relighting or replacing the thermocouple or flame sensor does not restore the water heater to good operation then the problem is more serious and probably requires service from a plumber or appliance technician.

When the pilot is not lit the gas valve will not turn the gas on. The most common problems. Use the dishwashing liquid solution to check the connections around the pilot light and burner. When you see water that appears to be leaking from the bottom of a gas water heater it could be because of condensation try turning up the thermostat a leaking or loose drain valve or the t p valve draining some water through the overflow pipe due to tank overpressurization.

The thermocouple is part of the pilot assembly where one end is always in contact with the pilot flame while the other side is connected to the gas control valve. Make sure the problem is not your water heater pilot light before you attempt this repair. It senses when the pilot light is on. Gas hot water heater troubleshooting usually leads you to the thermocouple.

Possible causes include a bad gas control valve or a cracked or damaged burner. Open the gas supply to the unit and light the pilot. Troubleshooting low performance insufficient hot water pilot light problems improper gas combustion issues with the pilot light thermocouple gas burner venting and other common issues. A gas water heater in boise baton rouge buffalo or boston uses a thermocouple that includes a probe attached to a copper tube that screws into a port on the gas valve.