Lack of hot water probably problem with thermocouple

Q: My wife started complaining about a lack of hot water, so I ventured out into the garage to check out the water heater. I took the door off and peeked inside and discovered there was no flame. Following the instructions on the tank, I relit the pilot but as soon as I let go of the button, the pilot light went out. I originally thought a breeze may have blown it out, but now I don’t know what to do.

A: It sounds like a problem with your thermocouple. It is a $15 part that is a safety device at the base of your water heater.

The thermocouple acts as a switch. On one end is a part that looks like a rectal thermometer (this part sits in the flame of the pilot). On the other end is a fitting that screws into the gas valve. Connecting the two ends is a wire.

The part works like this: As the one end is heated by the flame, a small electrical charge is generated that tells the gas valve to remain open. When the pilot light goes out, the charge stops and the gas valve closes. This prevents gas from continuing to fill up the base of your water heater.

So this little $15 part does a pretty important job. If the thermocouple is bad, no gas will flow and the pilot will not light.

To change the thermocouple, you will need to disconnect several parts to access it. Before you do anything, though, turn off the gas to the unit. Turn the knob on top of the gas valve to the “off” position and turn off the gas supply valve where the gas flex line connects to it.

Also, remove the small metal door that stops breezes from entering the burner chamber.

You may get lucky and not have to remove the burner, but chances are you will have to remove it.

There are three lines coming out of the bottom of the water heater’s gas valve. The burner’s gas line, which is about as thick around as your pinky finger; the pilot light’s gas line, which is about ⅛-inch in diameter; and the thermocouple, which looks like a copper wire. It is the skinniest line there.

Gently unscrew the three lines from the gas valve and maneuver the burner assembly and thermocouple out of the chamber. There is a small door that you will need to remove to gain access.

The burner may have a tab at the bottom that slips into a slot at the bottom of the water heater. If so, just lift and push it out of the slot.

Some thermocouples just push into the bracket that holds the pilot in place. Others are secured by a threaded fitting.

Unscrew the thermocouple fitting at the bracket (or if you’re lucky just pull it out). Your new thermocouple will come with several universal fittings for different sizes and methods of connecting it to the bracket.

With the thermocouple in place, maneuver the burner assembly back into place and connect the gas lines and new thermocouple to the gas valve. Turn the gas back on and follow the directions on the tank to relight the pilot.

Mike Klimek is a licensed contractor and owner of Las Vegas Handyman. Questions may be sent by email to handymanoflasvegas@msn.com. Or, mail to 4710 W. Dewey Drive, No. 100, Las Vegas, NV 89118. His web address is www.handymanoflasvegas.com.