pilot light repeatedly goes out

Doc

I have a 50 year-old cast iron gas-hot-water boiler. About a month ago the house was cold and we found that the pilot light had gone out. It was relit. It went out again. The thermocouple was changed. It went out again. The control system was replaced. It went again. Three experienced from a very reputable company have seen the system. The pilot light now goes out after each heating cycle. I now light it manually every time we need heat. (Until these recent events the system has been completely reliable).

My wife noted a "boom" coming from the basement. It's a new noise. One of the plumbers heard it while he was there and he noted that it seemed to have blown out the pilot light. It has now been suggested that I should have the entire boiler replaced. It's not clear, though, what's wrong and why the entire system needs replacing. Any thoughts?

Robert O'Connor_12

Doc

Is this a milli-volt system?

Robert O'Connor/NJ

Ray Landry_2

has anyone checked the pilot orifice/tube or passegways of the boiler? is the gas valve original or has it been updated? Chances are you may be better off replacing the unit with a new more efficient boiler, but htey should still be able to give you a reason why this is happening.

Empire_2

Poilot needs to be cleaned.

Cant just replace the t-couple. While pilot burner os out, clean the pilot orifice.

Drew_6

Pilot going out

I have a 50 year old boiler also and had a similar problem with the pilot. It had a bimetal sensor which malfunctioned. I replaced the gas valve with a new slow opening one which also had a thermocouple and new pilot orfice and better safety features. It now works wonderfully and is much safer. I suspect you have an old gas valve which probably should be replaced. The whole thing just cost me about $300.00. I got the gas valve on-line. Hope this helps.

curiousity kills

Gas valve online!!!!!!!!!!!!!


>
>



I hope you orderd a combustion anylizer with that.

.

dave_18

Gas Pilot going out

Concerning your pilot light going out, you might want to have a pro check your gas main pressure under load. Judging from your post it sounds like you live in an older home. I experienced a similar problem to what you've described. A tech from the gas company found the main pressure in the house to drop to ~1 inch wc whenever the boiler came on. He determined that some "white residue" in the line was impeding the flow. He blew it out and the problem was fixed. He said that he occasionally sees this problem especially in older homes/older neighborhoods.