# Why does my water heater pilot light go out now? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 23, 2015, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-water-heater-pilot-light-go-out-now/732306 "2015-09-23T15:46:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2015, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-water-heater-pilot-light-go-out-now/732306/21 "2015-09-25T17:06:51Z")
Okay, this is EXACTLY how it’s been going - my husband got a hot shower this morning after all that flooding. I’m off today and I didn’t want to take a shower until after I’d gotten his birthday chili started, so I just went to take one and it was lukewarm. It doesn’t go off during the rain - only after. I’m going to try this through Google Photos, let’s see if it works: Brand name: [https://goo.gl/photos/JUFiKXAFV7TEQNxU9](https://goo.gl/photos/JUFiKXAFV7TEQNxU9) Terrifying instructions: [![Google Photos](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AJFCJaWDAjPubXgZTsjO0oAjJ_7XHgjfqSoGtHPakSHUQmfIQQe0Y3n-Nv1Ir1tnN4PNVg78jv8EY_Gkr-QR_tID2IFoEOMPa6zyw6wb-PFZnr6blWfMzyQ=w600-h315-p-k "New item") ](https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMcoz8OKLhsfNjmGCctGID6gHRNjoYrp6ua9DZk14mlWMgCEqNRGgGqZtHikSREeA?key=M3M0YkphQWR3Wk0yeEc4NnFWa05RS2ZkM2hYSzBn) Controls - the green button is the pilot. [https://goo.gl/photos/xqjfCD3M4WXnt6Cs5](https://goo.gl/photos/xqjfCD3M4WXnt6Cs5) ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2015, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-water-heater-pilot-light-go-out-now/732306/22 "2015-09-25T20:00:58Z")
Again I say thermocouple probably needs replacing. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2015, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-water-heater-pilot-light-go-out-now/732306/23 "2015-09-25T21:18:13Z")
Well, my husband just BLEW IT UP. A man from the plumbing company is coming. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2015, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-water-heater-pilot-light-go-out-now/732306/24 "2015-09-25T21:26:25Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Well, my husband just BLEW IT UP. Cool! Did you record it? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2015, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-water-heater-pilot-light-go-out-now/732306/25 "2015-09-25T21:39:40Z")
No, I was inside with the baby, who seems to have some kind of rash, and the chili, which is not getting tender. (I think he just didn’t let gas buildup air out and it’s probably fine but he’s worried it could be gas leaking so great, emergency service charge we can’t afford.) This is supposed to be his birthday dinner, poor guy. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2015, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-water-heater-pilot-light-go-out-now/732306/26 "2015-09-26T17:32:47Z")
Okay, the chili eventually got tender, the guy relit the pilot and said not to worry about it but that we’re having a water problem? (He said he didn’t think it was the thermocouple.) Baby still has a rash. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2015, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-water-heater-pilot-light-go-out-now/732306/27 "2015-09-26T19:13:41Z")
If a plumber examined it and can’t repair it, I don’t give much hope of we Dopers doing it one the web. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2015, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-water-heater-pilot-light-go-out-now/732306/28 "2015-09-26T19:29:13Z")
He thinks we need to elevate it and put it on a concrete pad like the HVAC is. But I don’t understand why it’s a problem NOW, suddenly. (Also I did not have utter faith in this plumber.) ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2015, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-water-heater-pilot-light-go-out-now/732306/29 "2015-09-26T20:57:27Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Okay, this is EXACTLY how it’s been going - my husband got a hot shower this morning after all that flooding. I’m off today and I didn’t want to take a shower until after I’d gotten his birthday chili started, so I just went to take one and it was lukewarm. It doesn’t go off during the rain - only after. > > I’m going to try this through Google Photos, let’s see if it works: > > Brand name: [https://goo.gl/photos/JUFiKXAFV7TEQNxU9](https://goo.gl/photos/JUFiKXAFV7TEQNxU9) > > Terrifying instructions: > [https://goo.gl/photos/iMnXT9v6VdGSVzfy5](https://goo.gl/photos/iMnXT9v6VdGSVzfy5) > > Controls - the green button is the pilot. [https://goo.gl/photos/xqjfCD3M4WXnt6Cs5](https://goo.gl/photos/xqjfCD3M4WXnt6Cs5) I think I’m going to change my answer. Is the heater sitting directly on the ground, and located in a small closet? I’m thinking it may be a combustion air problem or a venting problem. The pilot is going out from lack of oxygen. Can you verify that the vent is clear, and that there is adequate outdoor air getting into the space to provide air to support combustion? Edit: By vent I mean the flue pipe located at the top of the heater. Combustion air should be provided by louvers in the door or elsewhere to provide air from the outside into the space the heater is located. There usually should be two openings, one low and one high. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2015, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-water-heater-pilot-light-go-out-now/732306/30 "2015-09-26T21:20:29Z")
For under $10.00 and 10 min labor I think I would just change the thermocouple and eliminate it one way or the other. Thermoscouple problems are intermittent when they forst go bad, they will light manually but go out durring one of the cycles. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2015, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-water-heater-pilot-light-go-out-now/732306/31 "2015-09-26T23:20:07Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > For under $10.00 and 10 min labor I think I would just change the thermocouple and eliminate it one way or the other. Thermoscouple problems are intermittent when they forst go bad, they will light manually but go out durring one of the cycles. I second that. ---
**Author:** ![1kBR\_Kid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/dc4da7/32.png) [@1kBR\_Kid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/1kBR_Kid)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2015, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-water-heater-pilot-light-go-out-now/732306/32 "2015-09-28T06:15:44Z")
Changing a thermocouple is not so simple on FVIR (Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant) water heaters. It will need a new pilot assembly…if this is the problem. What is on top of the water heater? Can you post a link to a picture of that? I’m curious if the draft diverter is installed properly. That’s the “hat” that the vent pipe is attached to. If installed improperly, it can allow the flame and pilot to blow out. I have seen this on homeowner/handyman installations. The air intake at the bottom may be clogged. I believe that for you A.O. Smith, it’s a “band” that goes around the bottom. Remove that and see if it is full of dust. If so, clean it out. If it is full of dust, that may just be part of the problem. Lee. Licensed plumber. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2015, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-water-heater-pilot-light-go-out-now/732306/33 "2015-10-02T19:39:07Z")
Sorry, I’m going to take some pictures but the only chances I’ve had lately it’s been dark. Oh, and we’re scheduled for possibly _twenty inches of rain_ this weekend. That, too. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2015, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-water-heater-pilot-light-go-out-now/732306/34 "2015-10-02T21:40:51Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Oh, and we’re scheduled for possibly _twenty inches of rain_ this weekend. That, too. :eek: We haven’t broken 15" for the _year_ where I live in drought-stricken CA ( in an average year we get just under 24" ). Hope you’ve battened down the hatches and good luck. Being water-logged AND without heat must suck bunches. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2015, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-water-heater-pilot-light-go-out-now/732306/35 "2015-10-02T22:26:48Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > :eek: > > We haven’t broken 15" for the _year_ where I live in drought-stricken CA ( in an average year we get just under 24" ). Hope you’ve battened down the hatches and good luck. Being water-logged AND without heat must suck bunches. We need a pipeline to move all the rain from the East coast your way. ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2015, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-water-heater-pilot-light-go-out-now/732306/36 "2015-10-03T05:18:12Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > :eek: > > We haven’t broken 15" for the _year_ where I live in drought-stricken CA ( in an average year we get just under 24" ). Hope you’ve battened down the hatches and good luck. Being water-logged AND without heat must suck bunches. WE will be lucky if we get 15 inches. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2015, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-water-heater-pilot-light-go-out-now/732306/37 "2015-10-04T13:44:47Z")
Would you believe the pilot hasn’t gone out? Seriously, 50+ swift water rescues last night, parts of the interstates are closed, I just heard a really good brewpub no longer exists at all, and we have hot water. We ARE, however, having some sort of electrical problem in the living room because, sigh, it doesn’t rain but it pours, right? ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2015, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-water-heater-pilot-light-go-out-now/732306/38 "2015-10-04T16:50:11Z")
Sorry to hear about the brewpub. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-my-water-heater-pilot-light-go-out-now/732306.md?page=1)