Replacing Thermocouple In Gas Water Heater

The thermocouple and pilot light tubes both extend from the gas control valve to the burning compartment.

Replacing thermocouple in gas water heater.

A bad thermocouple is the most likely culprit when your whirlpool water heater fails to heat the water in the tank. 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. Water heaters tend to last seven to 15 years. If you have a gas water heater with a pilot light that won t stay lit it s probably due to a failed thermocouple.

However if you have a leak if your water heater is older than 8 12 years or you just wish to upgrade and cut your energy expense it is time for a new heater. It is a simple device that converts the heat from a burning flame into a small electrical current allowing it to work like a switch to control the flow of gas from the gas supply valve. The burner typically sits loosely or under clips in the burning chamber and just slides out. The thermocouple is a thermoelectric device that shuts off the gas if the pilot light goes out.

Reconnect the end of the thermocouple to the gas control valve where the old thermocouple end was un screwed. First shut off the gas valve on the water heater and the gas valve on the gas line near the heater. How to replace a thermopile on a water heater. A flame shield or manifold door that you removed from the heater or water heater.

The pilot light heats the thermocouple which generates electric current that tells the gas control valve thermostat to continue to feed gas to the burner assembly. If yours is getting old this article is also for you. When your water heater begins to leak you have to replace it fast. We ll show you how to install your own gas water heater in less than a day.

In simple terms it s a short piece of tubing that runs from the gas controller to the pilot. The thermocouple is part of the pilot burner assembly and connects to the gas control valve on the outside of the water heater. Then unfasten the three nuts that hold the thermocouple and the two gas tubes to the valve. Regular maintenance will extend the life of your water heater and some repairs such as replacing a pressure relief valve or heating element are pretty simple.

By james carey morris carey. Diy hot water heater repair.