Replacing A Gas Water Heater Thermocouple

Diy hot water heater repair.

Replacing a gas water heater thermocouple.

Clean the gas burner and replace the thermocoupler a safety device that shuts off the gas automatically if the pilot flame goes out. Most units will have an inline valve for the gas inlet but you can turn off the main gas line if one is not available. Insulate the hot water pipes. Replacement thermocouples using universal mounting include clips and fittings that will work on most gas fired heaters and water heaters.

Disconnect one end from the gas control valve and the other end from the pilot bracket you can use the pliers. Be careful not to damage the copper tube. For example sid harvey s dyna couple universal mounting thermocouple sold in lengths from 18 to 48 will replace honeywell robertshaw penn baso white rodgers and other thermocouples. The thermocouple is part of the pilot burner assembly and connects to the gas control valve on the outside of the water heater.

Honeywell white rodgers and other manufacturers make universal replacement thermocouples usually with 30 millivolt mv ratings for standing pilot furnaces. Mi403s8fbnh amazon links 24 honeywell thermocouple https gen. How to replace a thermopile on a water heater. Since almost all major brands of atmospherically vented water heaters have switched from a thermocouple to a t.

If the thermocouple is working you should be able to measure 30 to 40 millivolts of voltage at the connection end of the tube when the pilot flame is on. Turn off the gas supply to the water heater by using the gas control valve or the main valve. First shut off the gas valve on the water heater and the gas valve on the gas line near the heater. Example tank is a bradford white.

Purchase a replacement thermocouple or flame sensor that is compatible with your particular furnace model. A gas water heater in boise baton rouge buffalo or boston uses a thermocouple that includes a probe attached to a copper tube that screws into a port on the gas valve. Make sure that the gas is connected and the pilot light is lit. Then unfasten the three nuts that hold the thermocouple and the two gas tubes to the valve.

The burner typically sits loosely or under clips in the burning chamber and just slides out. How to replace a thermocouple on a water heater. It is very sensitive. The thermocouple has two ends.