Replacing Thermocouple On Water Heater

Test the thermocouple connection to the gas control valve with soapy water.

Replacing thermocouple on water heater.

The thermocouple is a thermoelectric device that shuts off the gas if the pilot light goes out. Smith and state branded tanks. 1 cause of pilot lights that won t stay lit is a worn out. If you have a gas water heater with a pilot light that won t stay lit it s probably due to a failed thermocouple.

Turn on the gas valve that supplies the water heater. A thermocouple or flame sensor is a device used to control gas flow in gas water heaters on older style heaters with standing pilot lights the device is typically called a thermocouple while on newer units with electronic ignition the same or virtually the same device is called a flame sensor for our purposes we ll refer to both devices as the thermocouple. In simple terms it s a short piece of tubing that runs from the gas controller to the pilot. No bubbles mean no gas leak.

By james carey morris carey. Remove the burner assembly and detach the thermocouple. Step 8 reattach the manifold tube pilot tube and thermocouple to the gas control valve thermostat and tighten them using the adjustable wrench. A hot water heater that doesn t heat might just need a new thermocouple.

The thermocouple is a special sensing tube on gas water heaters that senses when the pilot light has flame and shuts off the gas to the unit when the pilot has been extinguished. Learn how to replace this inexpensive part and keep your hot water heater working for years to come. Make sure your home is equipped with carbon monoxide detectors when gas powered appliances are present. The thermocouple and pilot light tubes both extend from the gas control valve to the burning compartment.

Follow the manufacturers instructions to light the pilot. Once you start replacing a water heater you have to finish. Podoy 39 098514 01 thermocouple replacement for desa lp glow warm comfort glow vent free heaters 098514 02 71 031 0120 ssn18tb ssl18tb md200tbe 4 6 out of 5 stars 82 reliance water heater pilot assembly 100109295 9003542005 replacement part natural gas compatible with reliance a o. For detailed steps on how to replace or install a water heater read our install an electric water heater and install a gas water heater articles.