Available 24/7 in Mission Viejo
Why Does My Water Heater Pilot Light Keep Going Out?
A pilot that lights and then dies leaves you with cold showers. Here is why it happens on gas water heaters and which fixes are safe to try yourself.
Call Now – (949) 693-0298In this guide
- Dirty or failing thermocouple
- Clogged pilot tube or weak flame
- Drafts or a blocked vent
- Bent or loose flame sensor
Why does my water heater pilot light keep going out?
The most common cause is a dirty or failing thermocouple, the small sensor that keeps the gas valve open while the pilot is lit. Other causes are a clogged pilot tube that makes a weak flame, drafts or a blocked vent, a loose sensor, a failing gas control valve or low gas supply. Thermocouple and igniter repairs usually cost about $150 to $300. Call (949) 693-0298 for same-day help.
Our water heater repair Mission Viejo techs carry thermocouples, pilot assemblies and igniters for Rheem, A.O. Smith and Bradford White tanks, so most pilot problems are fixed in one visit.
What should you check before you call?
Make sure the gas valve on the supply line is fully open and other gas appliances work. Look for drafts from an open garage door, a fan or a closet vent that blows across the burner door. Check that the burner cover is closed and the vent pipe on top is straight and attached. Then relight the pilot following the steps on the label.
- Hold the pilot button long enough. Most models need 30 to 60 seconds after lighting so the thermocouple heats up.
- Look at the flame. A strong pilot is mostly blue and wraps the tip of the thermocouple. A small yellow flame points to a dirty pilot tube.
- Note what happens. If it goes out as soon as you let go, the thermocouple is the likely cause.
What does a thermocouple do, and how do you know it failed?
A thermocouple makes a tiny electric current when the pilot flame heats it. That current holds the gas valve open. When the tip gets dirty, bent away from the flame or worn out, the current drops and the valve shuts off the gas for safety. If the pilot lights but goes out when you release the button, the thermocouple is usually to blame.
Newer models use a flame sensor and an electronic igniter instead. Those parts fail in a similar way and cost about the same to replace.
Can drafts or a blocked vent put the pilot out?
Yes. Garage water heaters in Mission Viejo often sit near a door or a side vent, and Santa Ana wind days can push air down the flue. Newer FVIR tanks also have a flame arrestor screen at the bottom that clogs with lint and dust, which starves the burner of air and can shut the pilot off.
Keep the area around the heater clean and clear of stored items, laundry lint and dust. A tech can clean the arrestor screen during a water heater maintenance visit.
When is the gas valve or the tank the problem?
If a new thermocouple does not fix it, the gas control valve may be failing. A gas valve replacement costs about $350 to $650. On an older tank, compare that with the cost of a new one. A new 40 to 50 gallon tank costs about $1,900 to $3,800 installed, and a tank over 10 to 12 years old is usually the better place to put the money.
See our water heater replacement mission viejo page if the tank is near the end of its life. If you live in the new villages, see our page on water heater repair in Rancho Mission Viejo.
When is a pilot problem a safety issue?
Stop and call right away if you smell gas, if the flame rolls out of the burner door, or if you see scorch marks around the bottom of the heater. Those signs point to a vent or gas problem, not just a dirty part. Leave the area and call the gas company from outside if the smell is strong.
The SoCalGas safety page lists what to do if you smell gas. Never try to bypass a thermocouple or safety switch to keep the pilot lit.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my pilot light go out when I release the knob?
The thermocouple or flame sensor is usually dirty, out of place or worn out, so it does not keep the gas valve open.
Can wind blow out a water heater pilot light?
Yes. Drafts from a door or vent, or wind pushing down the flue, can put out a weak pilot.
How much does it cost to fix a pilot light that keeps going out?
Thermocouple or igniter repairs usually cost about $150 to $300 in Mission Viejo. A gas valve costs about $350 to $650.
Is it safe to keep relighting the pilot?
Relighting once or twice by the label steps is fine. If it keeps going out or you smell gas, stop and call a technician.
Talk to a water heater pro now
Questions about your water heater? Call a local pro in Mission Viejo, CA. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
(949) 693-0298 Call Now – (949) 693-0298