The pilot light went out on my gas hot water heater tank this morning. I turned the pilot light to the off position. My plumbing book says "If your pilot light will not stay lit, call the gas company to come look at it". I could try and relight it but the fact that it went out makes me a bit nervous. Could it be the pilot light itself need to be replaced?

I am sorry to come here for advice, I don't have any other alternatives.

Does it have an igniter or do you use a match?

We lost hot water in the last week. The pilot light had gone out so I used the igniter to get it started. So far so good. The controls on the heater look obvious. I’d be less comfortable if I had to use a match.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon

I'd try and relight it but keep an eye on it. Ours has gone out from time to time and it also needs to be turned off when draining.

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

This is an older model so either a match or hand held gas grill lighter is used.

I now remember I replaced the thermocouple a few years ago. It may have gone bad, probably cheap chinese made junk.......

The thermocouples are only good for a few years. Replace it and while you're in there, use compressed air and blow out the pilot nozzle.

If after replacing the thermocouple and cleaning the pilot, the thing still won't stay lit, it's likely a problem in the gas valve. For a tank more than 5 years old, that means new tank time.

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Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

Often you can get a thermocouple that is not working to work again. Simply clean the tubular looking part with some fine sandpaper, steel wool or emory cloth. You may have to get creative and wrap it around a small screwdriver. Additionally make sure the pilot orfice is clear (like Disesasel mentioned) and finally, sometimes you can slightly bend the thermocouple or the flame deflector into the flame more so it gets hotter. There may also be a pilot adjustment screw but if you are not familiar with gas valves I would not suggest messing with that, it is usually located under a cap screw and if the orfice is clean there is no need to increase the flame. Cleaning the pilot orfice usually will result in a better flame. A tiny wire will work if you have no orfice drills, DO NOT ENLARGE THE ORFICE. Cleaning the orfice while holding the pilot button down will allow the gas to flow and push the tiny bits of carbon out as you are cleaning instead of them dropping down into the supply tube.

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Brian
87 300Dturbo 180K #14 head still running R-12 SOLD 12/2017
02 F350 Powerstroke 180K
05 Chevy Express 1 ton w/Royal Utility box 120K
08 Infiniti FX-35 40K
15 Golf Sportwagen TDI 35K
10 Sprinter 3500 chassis with a Class A Winnebago on it. 56K

Has forum rules changed? Are we allowed to post off topic subjects in diesel discussion now?

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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

My local big box store has the theromcouple in stock; I'm going up there now to buy it. I'll check out pricing on new gas hot water heaters when I'm there. I appreciate everyone's advice, it is too cold today to be without hot water......

https://www.doityourself.com/forum/water-heaters-127/

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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

Buy two if from China. MAGA

Don't you use hot water to wash your hands after working on your diesel?

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When cryptography is outlawed, bayl bhgynjf jvyy unir cevinpl.

I might have asked the same question if I did not know about the existence of Youtube. If you can't find out how to fix something on Youtube, then it can't be fixed. However, this is a large community with very knowledgeable users that are willing to answer any question in a timely manner. For me this is my "Facebook". This forum is my favorite "Social Media", and I consider everyone here to be my "friend". HuskyMan may feel the same, in that he will ask his "friends" first in a situation like this.....Rich

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All Diesel Fleet
1985 R107 300SLD TURBODIESEL
2005 E320 CDI (daily)

LOTS of parts for sale!


EGR block kit
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/355250-sale-egr-delete-block-off-plate-kit.html

1985 CA emissions 617 owners- You Need This!
Sanden style A/C Compressor Mounting Kit for your 616/ 617 For Sale + Install Inst.

Sanden Instalation Guide (post 11):
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/367883-sanden-retrofit-installation-guide.html

It's the same over on my Powerstroke forum. The rules are flexible so long as we keep politics out of it and nobody gets hurt.

__________________
Brian
87 300Dturbo 180K #14 head still running R-12 SOLD 12/2017
02 F350 Powerstroke 180K
05 Chevy Express 1 ton w/Royal Utility box 120K
08 Infiniti FX-35 40K
15 Golf Sportwagen TDI 35K
10 Sprinter 3500 chassis with a Class A Winnebago on it. 56K