Pilot light blowing out

Action Jackson

What is the vertical rise on the fluepipe? Or chimney? If it's too long, it might not pull, or if it's too short, you probably have a negative draft issue.

Anke

Pilot

Hi everyone, I need some important advice for a little problem I'm having. I installed an AO Smith 80 gallon water heater for a friend of mine in his barber shop (I am a tech for a company) and the pilot light is blowing out very often as it's become November. It's been in for over 9 months now, and I replaced it because he was having the same complaint about his old one. I installed a StarKap on the chimney, hasn't seemed to help. He does have a 6" tin chimney going up the side of the building, could the large diameter be causing the problem? What thought do you have that are not related to the actual water heater? Thanks a lot.

Timco

Have you checked your inlet gas pressure? Maybe a different cap? Joints all tight in the vent? Check draft with a manometer. May have too much draft sucking the pilot out.

Tim

lchmb

testing

Is the thermocouple positioned properly? Is the flame hitting the top 1/8th inch. What are your millivolt reading's under load? What are your draft reading's? At what reading is your gas valve dropping out?

RianS

Water heater

I don't think the pilot is being blown out. Is the heater in a confined space (not enough make up air). Negative air pressure in that area can cause a back draft. Vent pipe too big or just no draft. Any of the above can cause pilot outage due to lack of oxygen. Also check pilot assembly and thermocouple, if the tubing is leaking at the pilot orifice, it can burn there and not at the pilot. I remember my days at the gas co. when someone couldn't fix it they would just say " the wind must come down the chimney and blew out that pilot".

will smith_4

Pilot problem

I'm curious as to why it behaves differently now, as opposed to say, in August. What type of exhaust set-up do they have? If they have a hefty exhaust fan, there should also be a make up air vent. Is it possible that the vent gets closed in the colder months to prevent drafts, but remains open during warmer months? If so, that could be the source of the negative pressure condition. Do you have adequate gas inlet pressure when all other appliances fire up?

G Lyons

Down draft diverter

You have a down draft diverter right? Light a match and hold it at the down draft diverter. It should draw into the flue. Before, after, and while the burner is lighting. If there is a weather inversion, it can play havic with all the pilots in the area. Our gas co. has a help line for such questions. I try and watch the whole operation of the lighting burning and going out of the burner to see how it is affecting the pilot. Call the manufacturer when you have the answers to this and the above threds. And be sure and share what you find with us.

steve z.

It could be that you have an extremely cold chimney and the flue gases are condensing and dripping on the pilot. Check to see if you have any water or rust marks near the flame or pilot assembly. The chimney is outside the building and the flue gases might be cooling down too fast.
What state is this in?