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Can I replace a thermocouple myself?
1 cause of pilot lights that won’t stay lit is a worn-out thermocouple. It’s easy to replace and a new one costs $5 to $10. Then detach the thermocouple from the burner and take it with you to the home center or hardware store to ensure you buy the right replacement.
Is it difficult to replace a water heater thermocouple?
Thermocouples are designed to detect a pilot light’s loss of heat and close the gas valve to prevent a gas leak. Replacing a thermocouple is a relatively easy fix that can take less than two hours.
How do you know if your water heater thermocouple is bad?
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.
How do you clean a thermocouple on a gas water heater?
Clean the thermocouple – using the emery cloth sandpaper, sand the ends of the thermocouple and then give it a finishing touch with the lint-free cloth. Hopefully, you can get to the ends of the thermocouple without having to detach it from the assembly, but you may have to do that.
How much should a plumber charge 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.
Are water heater thermocouples universal?
Universal Thermocouples. Universal thermocouples, as the name implies work on most water heaters. They are available online and in home supply stores for a reasonable cost. The length and the thread type are the two concerns when purchasing one.
Who replaces thermocouple?
Honeywell, White Rodgers, and other manufacturers make universal replacement thermocouples, usually with a 30-millivolts (mV) rating for standing-pilot furnaces.
What causes a thermocouple to fail?
METAL FATIGUE Like everything, thermocouples can’t stay new forever. Changes in temperature can cause regular expansion and contraction in metal, which will cause thermocouples to weaken over time. After enough time, metal fatigue can cause a thermocouple to break.
What happens when thermocouple goes bad?
Normally when the thermocouple malfunctions or isn’t working, it simply shuts off the gas to your heater. This is important, particularly if the pilot light is out, because it prevents harmful gas from leaking into your home.
How do you diagnose a bad thermocouple?
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.
How do you troubleshoot a thermocouple?
Importantly, always make sure the tip of the thermocouple is directly in the pilot flame. If the tip is in the flame, you have held the nob on the gas valve down for longer than a minute, the pilot flame is strong and steady, and the pilot still does not stay lit, then you likely have a problem with the gas valve.
Why does my pilot light keep going out after replacing thermocouple?
If your water heater pilot won’t stay lit even after replacing the thermocouple, you most likely have a faulty gas control valve. It is a sign that the valve is failing to open and allow gas to flow to the pilot. You could also be dealing with a tripped or faulty thermal switch.
How do you get dust out of a thermocouple?
The best way to clean your thermocouple is to use either a piece of steel wool or the coarse side of a sponge to gently clean off any soot or other remnants. You can use a pencil eraser to clean between the threads of the screw that connects the thermocouple to the control valve of your system.
Can I use sandpaper to clean a thermocouple?
Cleaning the thermocouple You can use Emery cloth sandpaper to gently clean any debris or build-up from the end of the thermocouple. Be aware, you may need to detach the thermocouple from the burner assembly to clean it thoroughly. Use a lint-free cloth to wipe the component clean of any remaining debris.
Where is a thermocouple located on a hot water heater?
The thermocouple is part of the water heater’s burner assembly and is positioned next to the pilot light. It slides into a bracket and is held in place by a couple of clips. The thermocouple line runs outside the heater and is connected to the gas control valve, which is located on the outside of the tank.
What does it mean when your pilot light keeps going out?
A faulty, misaligned, dirty, or damaged thermocouple is often the culprit behind your pilot light going out. The thermocouple is an automatic safety shutoff device that prevents the gas valve from opening if the pilot light is out.
How much is a pilot for a water heater?
Tankless water heater maintenance costs $75 to $300, and tankless repairs cost $300 to $1,300.Hot water heater repair cost. Service Average cost to repair Pilot light replacement $50 – $200 Pressure relief valve replacement $50 – $300 Thermocouple replacement $100 – $325 Thermostat replacement $100 – $350.
