If you can’t get the flame to light at all, and you’re sure the gas is on, there’s probably an obstruction in the pilot tube. If the flame lights and goes out when you release the gas control knob after holding it in for the recommended 20 to 30 seconds, that’s the sign of a thermocouple malfunction.
Thereof, Can I replace a thermocouple myself?
It’s easy to replace and a new one costs $5 to $10. Rather than trying to unfasten the thermocouple inside the water heater’s burning chamber, it’s easier to remove the whole burner and thermocouple assembly. … Then unfasten the three nuts that hold the thermocouple and the two gas tubes to the valve.
Also to know is, How much does it cost to replace a thermocouple on a water heater? The thermocouple is an apparatus that senses whether the pilot light is lit and triggers the gas control valve. Repairs typically cost about $150 to have it done professionally, though a new thermocouple itself only costs about $20 on average.
Subsequently, question is, How do you clean a thermocouple? To clean the tip of the thermocouple, use steel wool or emery cloth and lightly wash it. To clean the threads of the nut that connects the thermocouple to the control valve, use an eraser from a pencil.
Also, How long does a thermocouple last on a water heater?
one year
Can you fix a thermocouple?
When a thermocouple fails, the pilot light won’t stay lighted. A burned out or broken thermocouple should be replaced. To replace a thermocouple: Step 1: Unscrew the copper lead and the connection nut inside the threaded connection to the gas line.
Are thermocouples universal?
Honeywell, White Rodgers, and other manufacturers make universal replacement thermocouples, usually with a 30-millivolts (mV) rating for standing-pilot furnaces.
Why does my thermocouple keeps burning out?
It’s Dirty. Soot buildup on the thermocouple may block the flame. Under constant exposure to a hot flame, a thermocouple wears down over time. Even a slight residue can make the thermocouple malfunction.
How do you fix a bad thermocouple?
How long does a thermocouple last?
one year
Why do thermocouples go bad?
It’s Dirty. Soot buildup on the thermocouple may block the flame. Under constant exposure to a hot flame, a thermocouple wears down over time. Even a slight residue can make the thermocouple malfunction.
How much does it cost to replace a thermocouple?
Thermocouple – $20 to $150 The thermocouple is an apparatus that senses whether the pilot light is lit and triggers the gas control valve. Repairs typically cost about $150 to have it done professionally, though a new thermocouple itself only costs about $20 on average.
What does a thermocouple do?
The thermocouple responds to changes in temperature by producing an electrical current that causes the gas valve that supplies the pilot light to open when the temperature is high or to close when there is no direct heat source.
What would cause a pilot light to keep going out?
Usually, a problem with the thermocouple causes the pilot light to go out. The thermocouple is the small copper rod that the pilot light hits. The thermocouple’s job is to shut a gas safety valve if the pilot light goes out. That’s important because gas is always being supplied to the pilot to keep the flame lit.
What happens when a thermocouple goes bad?
This means that if the thermocouple goes bad, there is no way of detecting if the pilot light is burning or not. And when the pilot light goes out, you will not have hot water supply in your plumbing system. To test if the problem is with the thermocouple, try to relight the pilot.
What is the purpose of a thermocouple?
A thermocouple is a sensor that measures temperature. It consists of two different types of metals, joined together at one end. When the junction of the two metals is heated or cooled, a voltage is created that can be correlated back to the temperature.
How do you replace a thermocouple?
– Turn off the gas supply. …
– Unfasten the three nuts that hold the thermocouple and the two gas tubes to the valve. …
– Detach the thermocouple from the burner. …
– Install the new one the same way that you removed the old one. …
– Turn the gas back on and follow the lighting instructions on the water heater.
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