Boiler trouble....

SidewalkProphet · 12-23-2007, 04:51 AM

My dad is having boiler trouble and asked me to post on here incase anyone can help. The problem is that his water heater pilot light is on but it doesn't fire or heat the water?!?!

**grumpygit** · 12-23-2007, 02:37 PM

It could be a cut out switch. (these are normally found on the control panel and need pushing in to reset.)
Or it could be a problem with the thermostat. (try adjusting the thermostat and see if it clicks on and off.)

**speedster123** · 12-28-2007, 04:11 AM

most likely the gas valve or thermal coupling.
the problem is, i dont know how to test either, the cheaper way would be to try the thermal coupling first, about ten bucks.

but usually, if the pilot light stays on, the thermal coupling is ok.

another consideration would be the age of the gas heater. if a gas valve is over $100, which it is, a new heater is two and change. it might be time to replace the unit.

Tumbleweed36 · 12-28-2007, 05:00 AM

I would bet on the thermalcoupler. Through the years, have had a few of those die and the symptoms are like you describe. An easy and cheap fix most of the time.

Bluemm · 01-23-2008, 04:10 PM

If the pilot is lit, the thermocouple is good. The pilot valve would close if the thermocouple sensed no heat or was bad. The problem is probably in the thermostat/temp probe or the gas valve itself.

12-23-2007, 04:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
SidewalkProphet Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Surrey, England Posts: 51 OS: WinXP	Boiler trouble.... My dad is having boiler trouble and asked me to post on here incase anyone can help. The problem is that his water heater pilot light is on but it doesn't fire or heat the water?!?! __________________ I was jogging in the park the other day when I had a bad asthmatic attack. It was my own fault, I should have heard them hiding!

12-23-2007, 02:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
grumpygit T-Shirt Winner Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: hertford, england Posts: 4,024 OS: win xp pro sp2 My System Blog Entries: 2	Re: Boiler trouble.... It could be a cut out switch. (these are normally found on the control panel and need pushing in to reset.) Or it could be a problem with the thermostat. (try adjusting the thermostat and see if it clicks on and off.) __________________

12-28-2007, 04:11 AM	#3 (permalink)
speedster123 Mentor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: United States-New York Posts: 3,804 OS: xp pro My System	Re: Boiler trouble.... most likely the gas valve or thermal coupling. the problem is, i dont know how to test either, the cheaper way would be to try the thermal coupling first, about ten bucks. but usually, if the pilot light stays on, the thermal coupling is ok. another consideration would be the age of the gas heater. if a gas valve is over $100, which it is, a new heater is two and change. it might be time to replace the unit. __________________ Infection Detection and Removal Thermal Grease Instructions Bench Test

12-28-2007, 05:00 AM	#4 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 12,062 OS: XP Professional	Re: Boiler trouble.... I would bet on the thermalcoupler. Through the years, have had a few of those die and the symptoms are like you describe. An easy and cheap fix most of the time. __________________ ----------

01-23-2008, 04:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
Bluemm Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5 OS: xp	Re: Boiler trouble.... If the pilot is lit, the thermocouple is good. The pilot valve would close if the thermocouple sensed no heat or was bad. The problem is probably in the thermostat/temp probe or the gas valve itself.