Hot water heater pilot wont stay lit?

Question

The pilot went out and i cant get it to stay lit. I got the one where you push down the gas k**b thing and you light it. Your supposed to hold it down for a minute and let go and its supposed to stay lit but it wont stay lit. Its like when let go of the button the gas cuts off. Any ideas how to fix this?

Answer 1

It sounds like a thermocouple.

The thermocouple is a sensor that runs from the gas valve and into the area near the pilot.  If it doesn't sense the heat from a burning pilot the senor cuts off the gas to keep the gas from an unlit pilot from filling your house.

Changing the thermocouple is pretty easy and it shouldn't cost you much at any plumbing supply store or a good hardware store.  It is cheap enough and easy enough to change that I suggest changing it and if it doesn't work then call a plumber.  

Answer 2

It could be the thermocouple.However it also could be the pilot hole is dirty.When you light the pilot if there is any orange or red in the flame ;then clean the pilot light hole(with a pipe cleaner,blow in straw or tube) and try again till you get a blue or almost iinvisible flame.If you have a orange flame the pilot isn't getting hot enough

Answer 3

Purchase a new thrmo-coupler. Inexpensive and easy to replace. It is what keeps the pilot lit

Answer 4

The thermocouple is bad. This is something easily replaceable. Turn the gas off. Remove the covers. By following the small capillary line (looks like a small copper or silver tube ) to the burner section, you can remove it. It will have a straight end that is supposed to sense the pilot flame. Your hardware store will have one. Simply replace this and try to restart. Good luck.

Answer 5

you need a new thermalcopel

it looks like a wire coming out of the control

and going inside the fire