How do I take thermocouple off fitting

NHPResident

I have an old thermocouple from an AO Smith water heater I want to salvage. I am not able to remove it or the black metal fitting hold it. Could you please advise how I should proceed?

Larry Weingarten

Hi, Could you get us a photo of the outside where the tubes and wire come through? Also, if you press on the black piece that's around the tubes, does it feel like hard rubber? Thanks 😊

Yours, Larry

EdTheHeaterMan

The fittings that you are pointing to are not the thermocouple. those fittings are for the pilot tube. That is the pipe that the gas for the pilot travels thru from the gas valve to the pilot burner. I have reused those fittigs if the tubing is intact. if the tube is leaking or the compression fittings have been overtightened, then you throw that away and put a new tube in to replace it. You can use the newer 1/8" premade pilot tube like this one Weil McLain Pilot tube or you can purchase a roll of 1/4" aluminum tube Baso Gas pilot tube and some break away fittings. pilot tube fitting

NHPResident

I got it out by using a screw driver and hammer to push out the metal holding the fitting together.

@Larry Weingarten it's metal, it's rusted so bad that the piece I pushed out now was stuck and I thought it was welded together.

Thanks @EdTheHeaterMan , I will double check what that tube is.

mattmia2

we can see the compression ferrule and hole in the middle, it is the pilot tube.