I ran out of propane and now the water heater pilot light will not stay lit





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I had run out of propane. Now that I have propane, I can’t get the pilot light to stay lit on my water heater, nor will it stay lit even long enough to light the burner.



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   Hot water heater










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  • 7




    What start procedure are you using? What's the model number of the machine?
    – Harper
    Nov 27 at 20:32

















up vote
8
down vote

favorite












I had run out of propane. Now that I have propane, I can’t get the pilot light to stay lit on my water heater, nor will it stay lit even long enough to light the burner.



Click for larger view:

   Hot water heater










share|improve this question




















  • 7




    What start procedure are you using? What's the model number of the machine?
    – Harper
    Nov 27 at 20:32













up vote
8
down vote

favorite









up vote
8
down vote

favorite











I had run out of propane. Now that I have propane, I can’t get the pilot light to stay lit on my water heater, nor will it stay lit even long enough to light the burner.



Click for larger view:

   Hot water heater










share|improve this question















I had run out of propane. Now that I have propane, I can’t get the pilot light to stay lit on my water heater, nor will it stay lit even long enough to light the burner.



Click for larger view:

   Hot water heater







water-heater propane pilot-light






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Nov 28 at 13:23









Machavity

6,30011634




6,30011634










asked Nov 27 at 19:21









Brandon Jolene Lively

4112




4112








  • 7




    What start procedure are you using? What's the model number of the machine?
    – Harper
    Nov 27 at 20:32














  • 7




    What start procedure are you using? What's the model number of the machine?
    – Harper
    Nov 27 at 20:32








7




7




What start procedure are you using? What's the model number of the machine?
– Harper
Nov 27 at 20:32




What start procedure are you using? What's the model number of the machine?
– Harper
Nov 27 at 20:32










5 Answers
5






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
31
down vote













I have had similar problems in the past when running out, what I found is I had to hold the pilot for several minutes to get the lines full of propane again. I found it easiest to light the stove top or try until it would burn then I went to the furnace and water heater it still took a few minutes as the pilot is a very small draw but once the lines had properly purged I had no problems after that, it was like some air was in the lines would light burn funny and go out, once I got a solid flame the problem was solved.






share|improve this answer




























    up vote
    13
    down vote













    My understanding of pilot lights is that they heat a thermocouple, which is a mass of metal that detects heat. The electronics behind that thermocouple will shut off the gas to the pilot if the thermocouple gets cold so that if something blows out the pilot you don't have a gas leak in your home. The side effect is that you have to heat up that mass of metal manually when you light the pilot. This is usually done by manually holding the valve open for a while when the pilot is first lit. (My gas fireplace says to do this for at least a minute, but it's usually good after 15 seconds.)






    share|improve this answer























    • Disagree. That's why you have to hold the control down while lighting the pilot. That bypasses the cold = stop the gas safety.
      – Loren Pechtel
      Nov 28 at 1:44






    • 20




      @LorenPechtel, your grammar is difficult to decipher, but I think you are literally saying what I am saying.
      – Sam
      Nov 28 at 1:49












    • my gas fireplace goes out after a few minutes of being on and the pilot goes out too, hard to imagine it getting cold but now i have a lead.
      – Jordan.J.D
      Nov 28 at 17:11


















    up vote
    0
    down vote













    Easy way to purge the line is to losen the black iron drip leg.
    Shut gas off to heater lossen drip leg ,turn gas on. Gas will flow out pushing air while this is happening tighten drip leg. Earlier post is correct small draw at pilot by opening up tje drip leg you have more flow. Be sure to reseal drip leg with thread seal (pipe dope)






    share|improve this answer

















    • 5




      While I don't disagree with you, this feels like it need to come with big warnings about using non-sparking tools, proper ventilation, etc. Having a cloud (even a small one) of propane hanging out in the basement sounds like a Bad Thing™
      – FreeMan
      Nov 28 at 15:34






    • 1




      Good lord. I don't think the average joe should do this.
      – enorl76
      Nov 29 at 1:40


















    up vote
    0
    down vote













    Replace the pilot assembly, I do water heater repair, that unit is actually made by A.O. Smith. It’s got a 180 pilot assembly. There is a little round disc that is in the line from the thermocouple that is probably bad and it won’t let the circuit complete.






    share|improve this answer




























      up vote
      0
      down vote













      First, any time I can, I use a propane torch to heat the thermocouple and light the pilot. This allows time for all the air to get out of the line and gets the thermocouple nice and hot again.



      About 90% of the time, the propane torch works well the first time.



      Second, if the waterheater is off longer than a few hours, you may have to relight it several times. Have no explanation for this, but it's an observation after 30 years of watching renters do crazy stuff! If the intervals between lightings is getting longer, I'd keep checking three times a day and relighting.



      Third, I've had to replace two burner units due to the switch mentioned above. It's fairly straight forward to replace the units, just take care to properly fit, thread, and seal the joints. (Know what to do for each type of joint.) Then test all the joints, including those that you didn't believe that you touched with soapy water to see gas leaks.



      In both cases, Whirlpool was very nice about sending a new burner unit under warranty, even after they'd sent new thermocouples that didn't help!






      share|improve this answer





















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        5 Answers
        5






        active

        oldest

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        5 Answers
        5






        active

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        active

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        up vote
        31
        down vote













        I have had similar problems in the past when running out, what I found is I had to hold the pilot for several minutes to get the lines full of propane again. I found it easiest to light the stove top or try until it would burn then I went to the furnace and water heater it still took a few minutes as the pilot is a very small draw but once the lines had properly purged I had no problems after that, it was like some air was in the lines would light burn funny and go out, once I got a solid flame the problem was solved.






        share|improve this answer

























          up vote
          31
          down vote













          I have had similar problems in the past when running out, what I found is I had to hold the pilot for several minutes to get the lines full of propane again. I found it easiest to light the stove top or try until it would burn then I went to the furnace and water heater it still took a few minutes as the pilot is a very small draw but once the lines had properly purged I had no problems after that, it was like some air was in the lines would light burn funny and go out, once I got a solid flame the problem was solved.






          share|improve this answer























            up vote
            31
            down vote










            up vote
            31
            down vote









            I have had similar problems in the past when running out, what I found is I had to hold the pilot for several minutes to get the lines full of propane again. I found it easiest to light the stove top or try until it would burn then I went to the furnace and water heater it still took a few minutes as the pilot is a very small draw but once the lines had properly purged I had no problems after that, it was like some air was in the lines would light burn funny and go out, once I got a solid flame the problem was solved.






            share|improve this answer












            I have had similar problems in the past when running out, what I found is I had to hold the pilot for several minutes to get the lines full of propane again. I found it easiest to light the stove top or try until it would burn then I went to the furnace and water heater it still took a few minutes as the pilot is a very small draw but once the lines had properly purged I had no problems after that, it was like some air was in the lines would light burn funny and go out, once I got a solid flame the problem was solved.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered Nov 27 at 19:27









            Ed Beal

            29.7k12043




            29.7k12043
























                up vote
                13
                down vote













                My understanding of pilot lights is that they heat a thermocouple, which is a mass of metal that detects heat. The electronics behind that thermocouple will shut off the gas to the pilot if the thermocouple gets cold so that if something blows out the pilot you don't have a gas leak in your home. The side effect is that you have to heat up that mass of metal manually when you light the pilot. This is usually done by manually holding the valve open for a while when the pilot is first lit. (My gas fireplace says to do this for at least a minute, but it's usually good after 15 seconds.)






                share|improve this answer























                • Disagree. That's why you have to hold the control down while lighting the pilot. That bypasses the cold = stop the gas safety.
                  – Loren Pechtel
                  Nov 28 at 1:44






                • 20




                  @LorenPechtel, your grammar is difficult to decipher, but I think you are literally saying what I am saying.
                  – Sam
                  Nov 28 at 1:49












                • my gas fireplace goes out after a few minutes of being on and the pilot goes out too, hard to imagine it getting cold but now i have a lead.
                  – Jordan.J.D
                  Nov 28 at 17:11















                up vote
                13
                down vote













                My understanding of pilot lights is that they heat a thermocouple, which is a mass of metal that detects heat. The electronics behind that thermocouple will shut off the gas to the pilot if the thermocouple gets cold so that if something blows out the pilot you don't have a gas leak in your home. The side effect is that you have to heat up that mass of metal manually when you light the pilot. This is usually done by manually holding the valve open for a while when the pilot is first lit. (My gas fireplace says to do this for at least a minute, but it's usually good after 15 seconds.)






                share|improve this answer























                • Disagree. That's why you have to hold the control down while lighting the pilot. That bypasses the cold = stop the gas safety.
                  – Loren Pechtel
                  Nov 28 at 1:44






                • 20




                  @LorenPechtel, your grammar is difficult to decipher, but I think you are literally saying what I am saying.
                  – Sam
                  Nov 28 at 1:49












                • my gas fireplace goes out after a few minutes of being on and the pilot goes out too, hard to imagine it getting cold but now i have a lead.
                  – Jordan.J.D
                  Nov 28 at 17:11













                up vote
                13
                down vote










                up vote
                13
                down vote









                My understanding of pilot lights is that they heat a thermocouple, which is a mass of metal that detects heat. The electronics behind that thermocouple will shut off the gas to the pilot if the thermocouple gets cold so that if something blows out the pilot you don't have a gas leak in your home. The side effect is that you have to heat up that mass of metal manually when you light the pilot. This is usually done by manually holding the valve open for a while when the pilot is first lit. (My gas fireplace says to do this for at least a minute, but it's usually good after 15 seconds.)






                share|improve this answer














                My understanding of pilot lights is that they heat a thermocouple, which is a mass of metal that detects heat. The electronics behind that thermocouple will shut off the gas to the pilot if the thermocouple gets cold so that if something blows out the pilot you don't have a gas leak in your home. The side effect is that you have to heat up that mass of metal manually when you light the pilot. This is usually done by manually holding the valve open for a while when the pilot is first lit. (My gas fireplace says to do this for at least a minute, but it's usually good after 15 seconds.)







                share|improve this answer














                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer








                edited Nov 28 at 16:11









                Ryan Keshock

                31




                31










                answered Nov 27 at 23:02









                Sam

                418214




                418214












                • Disagree. That's why you have to hold the control down while lighting the pilot. That bypasses the cold = stop the gas safety.
                  – Loren Pechtel
                  Nov 28 at 1:44






                • 20




                  @LorenPechtel, your grammar is difficult to decipher, but I think you are literally saying what I am saying.
                  – Sam
                  Nov 28 at 1:49












                • my gas fireplace goes out after a few minutes of being on and the pilot goes out too, hard to imagine it getting cold but now i have a lead.
                  – Jordan.J.D
                  Nov 28 at 17:11


















                • Disagree. That's why you have to hold the control down while lighting the pilot. That bypasses the cold = stop the gas safety.
                  – Loren Pechtel
                  Nov 28 at 1:44






                • 20




                  @LorenPechtel, your grammar is difficult to decipher, but I think you are literally saying what I am saying.
                  – Sam
                  Nov 28 at 1:49












                • my gas fireplace goes out after a few minutes of being on and the pilot goes out too, hard to imagine it getting cold but now i have a lead.
                  – Jordan.J.D
                  Nov 28 at 17:11
















                Disagree. That's why you have to hold the control down while lighting the pilot. That bypasses the cold = stop the gas safety.
                – Loren Pechtel
                Nov 28 at 1:44




                Disagree. That's why you have to hold the control down while lighting the pilot. That bypasses the cold = stop the gas safety.
                – Loren Pechtel
                Nov 28 at 1:44




                20




                20




                @LorenPechtel, your grammar is difficult to decipher, but I think you are literally saying what I am saying.
                – Sam
                Nov 28 at 1:49






                @LorenPechtel, your grammar is difficult to decipher, but I think you are literally saying what I am saying.
                – Sam
                Nov 28 at 1:49














                my gas fireplace goes out after a few minutes of being on and the pilot goes out too, hard to imagine it getting cold but now i have a lead.
                – Jordan.J.D
                Nov 28 at 17:11




                my gas fireplace goes out after a few minutes of being on and the pilot goes out too, hard to imagine it getting cold but now i have a lead.
                – Jordan.J.D
                Nov 28 at 17:11










                up vote
                0
                down vote













                Easy way to purge the line is to losen the black iron drip leg.
                Shut gas off to heater lossen drip leg ,turn gas on. Gas will flow out pushing air while this is happening tighten drip leg. Earlier post is correct small draw at pilot by opening up tje drip leg you have more flow. Be sure to reseal drip leg with thread seal (pipe dope)






                share|improve this answer

















                • 5




                  While I don't disagree with you, this feels like it need to come with big warnings about using non-sparking tools, proper ventilation, etc. Having a cloud (even a small one) of propane hanging out in the basement sounds like a Bad Thing™
                  – FreeMan
                  Nov 28 at 15:34






                • 1




                  Good lord. I don't think the average joe should do this.
                  – enorl76
                  Nov 29 at 1:40















                up vote
                0
                down vote













                Easy way to purge the line is to losen the black iron drip leg.
                Shut gas off to heater lossen drip leg ,turn gas on. Gas will flow out pushing air while this is happening tighten drip leg. Earlier post is correct small draw at pilot by opening up tje drip leg you have more flow. Be sure to reseal drip leg with thread seal (pipe dope)






                share|improve this answer

















                • 5




                  While I don't disagree with you, this feels like it need to come with big warnings about using non-sparking tools, proper ventilation, etc. Having a cloud (even a small one) of propane hanging out in the basement sounds like a Bad Thing™
                  – FreeMan
                  Nov 28 at 15:34






                • 1




                  Good lord. I don't think the average joe should do this.
                  – enorl76
                  Nov 29 at 1:40













                up vote
                0
                down vote










                up vote
                0
                down vote









                Easy way to purge the line is to losen the black iron drip leg.
                Shut gas off to heater lossen drip leg ,turn gas on. Gas will flow out pushing air while this is happening tighten drip leg. Earlier post is correct small draw at pilot by opening up tje drip leg you have more flow. Be sure to reseal drip leg with thread seal (pipe dope)






                share|improve this answer












                Easy way to purge the line is to losen the black iron drip leg.
                Shut gas off to heater lossen drip leg ,turn gas on. Gas will flow out pushing air while this is happening tighten drip leg. Earlier post is correct small draw at pilot by opening up tje drip leg you have more flow. Be sure to reseal drip leg with thread seal (pipe dope)







                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered Nov 28 at 3:51









                Mike

                91




                91








                • 5




                  While I don't disagree with you, this feels like it need to come with big warnings about using non-sparking tools, proper ventilation, etc. Having a cloud (even a small one) of propane hanging out in the basement sounds like a Bad Thing™
                  – FreeMan
                  Nov 28 at 15:34






                • 1




                  Good lord. I don't think the average joe should do this.
                  – enorl76
                  Nov 29 at 1:40














                • 5




                  While I don't disagree with you, this feels like it need to come with big warnings about using non-sparking tools, proper ventilation, etc. Having a cloud (even a small one) of propane hanging out in the basement sounds like a Bad Thing™
                  – FreeMan
                  Nov 28 at 15:34






                • 1




                  Good lord. I don't think the average joe should do this.
                  – enorl76
                  Nov 29 at 1:40








                5




                5




                While I don't disagree with you, this feels like it need to come with big warnings about using non-sparking tools, proper ventilation, etc. Having a cloud (even a small one) of propane hanging out in the basement sounds like a Bad Thing™
                – FreeMan
                Nov 28 at 15:34




                While I don't disagree with you, this feels like it need to come with big warnings about using non-sparking tools, proper ventilation, etc. Having a cloud (even a small one) of propane hanging out in the basement sounds like a Bad Thing™
                – FreeMan
                Nov 28 at 15:34




                1




                1




                Good lord. I don't think the average joe should do this.
                – enorl76
                Nov 29 at 1:40




                Good lord. I don't think the average joe should do this.
                – enorl76
                Nov 29 at 1:40










                up vote
                0
                down vote













                Replace the pilot assembly, I do water heater repair, that unit is actually made by A.O. Smith. It’s got a 180 pilot assembly. There is a little round disc that is in the line from the thermocouple that is probably bad and it won’t let the circuit complete.






                share|improve this answer

























                  up vote
                  0
                  down vote













                  Replace the pilot assembly, I do water heater repair, that unit is actually made by A.O. Smith. It’s got a 180 pilot assembly. There is a little round disc that is in the line from the thermocouple that is probably bad and it won’t let the circuit complete.






                  share|improve this answer























                    up vote
                    0
                    down vote










                    up vote
                    0
                    down vote









                    Replace the pilot assembly, I do water heater repair, that unit is actually made by A.O. Smith. It’s got a 180 pilot assembly. There is a little round disc that is in the line from the thermocouple that is probably bad and it won’t let the circuit complete.






                    share|improve this answer












                    Replace the pilot assembly, I do water heater repair, that unit is actually made by A.O. Smith. It’s got a 180 pilot assembly. There is a little round disc that is in the line from the thermocouple that is probably bad and it won’t let the circuit complete.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered Nov 28 at 15:08









                    Dan

                    1




                    1






















                        up vote
                        0
                        down vote













                        First, any time I can, I use a propane torch to heat the thermocouple and light the pilot. This allows time for all the air to get out of the line and gets the thermocouple nice and hot again.



                        About 90% of the time, the propane torch works well the first time.



                        Second, if the waterheater is off longer than a few hours, you may have to relight it several times. Have no explanation for this, but it's an observation after 30 years of watching renters do crazy stuff! If the intervals between lightings is getting longer, I'd keep checking three times a day and relighting.



                        Third, I've had to replace two burner units due to the switch mentioned above. It's fairly straight forward to replace the units, just take care to properly fit, thread, and seal the joints. (Know what to do for each type of joint.) Then test all the joints, including those that you didn't believe that you touched with soapy water to see gas leaks.



                        In both cases, Whirlpool was very nice about sending a new burner unit under warranty, even after they'd sent new thermocouples that didn't help!






                        share|improve this answer

























                          up vote
                          0
                          down vote













                          First, any time I can, I use a propane torch to heat the thermocouple and light the pilot. This allows time for all the air to get out of the line and gets the thermocouple nice and hot again.



                          About 90% of the time, the propane torch works well the first time.



                          Second, if the waterheater is off longer than a few hours, you may have to relight it several times. Have no explanation for this, but it's an observation after 30 years of watching renters do crazy stuff! If the intervals between lightings is getting longer, I'd keep checking three times a day and relighting.



                          Third, I've had to replace two burner units due to the switch mentioned above. It's fairly straight forward to replace the units, just take care to properly fit, thread, and seal the joints. (Know what to do for each type of joint.) Then test all the joints, including those that you didn't believe that you touched with soapy water to see gas leaks.



                          In both cases, Whirlpool was very nice about sending a new burner unit under warranty, even after they'd sent new thermocouples that didn't help!






                          share|improve this answer























                            up vote
                            0
                            down vote










                            up vote
                            0
                            down vote









                            First, any time I can, I use a propane torch to heat the thermocouple and light the pilot. This allows time for all the air to get out of the line and gets the thermocouple nice and hot again.



                            About 90% of the time, the propane torch works well the first time.



                            Second, if the waterheater is off longer than a few hours, you may have to relight it several times. Have no explanation for this, but it's an observation after 30 years of watching renters do crazy stuff! If the intervals between lightings is getting longer, I'd keep checking three times a day and relighting.



                            Third, I've had to replace two burner units due to the switch mentioned above. It's fairly straight forward to replace the units, just take care to properly fit, thread, and seal the joints. (Know what to do for each type of joint.) Then test all the joints, including those that you didn't believe that you touched with soapy water to see gas leaks.



                            In both cases, Whirlpool was very nice about sending a new burner unit under warranty, even after they'd sent new thermocouples that didn't help!






                            share|improve this answer












                            First, any time I can, I use a propane torch to heat the thermocouple and light the pilot. This allows time for all the air to get out of the line and gets the thermocouple nice and hot again.



                            About 90% of the time, the propane torch works well the first time.



                            Second, if the waterheater is off longer than a few hours, you may have to relight it several times. Have no explanation for this, but it's an observation after 30 years of watching renters do crazy stuff! If the intervals between lightings is getting longer, I'd keep checking three times a day and relighting.



                            Third, I've had to replace two burner units due to the switch mentioned above. It's fairly straight forward to replace the units, just take care to properly fit, thread, and seal the joints. (Know what to do for each type of joint.) Then test all the joints, including those that you didn't believe that you touched with soapy water to see gas leaks.



                            In both cases, Whirlpool was very nice about sending a new burner unit under warranty, even after they'd sent new thermocouples that didn't help!







                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered Nov 29 at 3:04









                            Larry Paden

                            1




                            1






























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