If the pilot doesn t relight if it goes out right after lighting or if the pilot light keeps going out by far the most common cause is a bad thermocouple.
American standard water heater pilot light won t stay lit.
Make sure to follow the directions on your water heater label.
Check along the tube to straighten it so there s no obstruction to the flow of gas.
You ll get your hot water going without waiting for a pro to show up and save the cost of a service call for a gas.
If your pilot doesn t re light won t stay lit or keeps going out after a short time you most likely have an issue with the hot water heater thermocouple.
This control is part of the gas valve assembly and normally has a dial that will allow for temperature adjustment and will also have a probe that monitors the water temperature.
The flex tube is how the gas reaches the device and if the continuous flow of gas is interrupted the pilot light won t stay lit.
A pilot light can also keep going out because of a problem with the thermocouple.
As a result the pilot doesn t get enough fuel to stay lit.
If this is the problem then unkinking the tube will occasionally resolve the issue.
Sometimes this tubing will get kinked in places which will prevent proper operation.
Dirt and debris can collect in the pilot tube causing the flow of gas to be blocked.
Thankfully a dirty pilot tube is the easiest issue to fix.
This can happen with age.
If your gas water heater doesn t stay lit you may have a defective control thermostat.
The primary reason a pilot light won t stay lit is simply equipment malfunction.
If you ve checked everything else and the light continually goes out this is probably the cause.
This usually happens when the tube is kinked at one or many points.
This is also a likely cause if the pilot won t ignite at all.
Check the flex tube.
The gas supply to the pilot assembly is controlled by this valve.
You can usually replace a thermocouple for minimal cost and in less than an hour.
This tubing connects to the gas controller and will ensure a steady stream of gas.
Another possible reason why a pilot won t stay lit has to do with the flex tubing.