Gas pilot willnot stay on - Reddy Heating & Cooling

The system I am familiar with uses a vapour pressure type thermocouple and if the pilot remains lit the thermocouple is working as it controls the gas for the pilot and the burner at the same time from the same source - if the gas control is ok and the flow isn't prevented by the thermostat then if the pilot remains alight, there should be a flow of gas and the burner should light - unless the gas jet is blocked or something else, some other type of blockage is preventing the flow of gas to the burner...

I suggest you check the gas jet and the flow of gas to it...

Thermostat flame sensor. Do you see a little rod next to the pilot? That is what tells the main gas valve that the pilot is lit and it is safe to give gas. Easy swap, and you can usually just pick up a generic one.

If pilot stay lit, then thermocouple is working.
If pilot will light, then you have gas. If pilot goes out when pilot button is released, then thermocouple is next suspect.

Thermocouple tip must sit in pilot flame.
The pilot light heat applied to two different metals inside thermocouple causes small current.
The current travels back to gas control valve through copper line.
If the gas valve receive this current, then a magnetic switch stays open and allows gas into the gas control valve.
The magnetic switch is on the end of the red button you push down when lighting pilot. Essentially the red button is an override to the magnetic switch.
If the gas control valve does not receive the current, then the magnetic switch does not stay open when you release the red button.
When replacing thermocouple, note that it is not screwed very tight into the gas control valve. Finger tight + 1/4 turn. If it is overtightened, then the small thermocouple current shorts out against the gas control body.

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Make sure thermocouple tip is seated inside the burner flame.
Make sure thermocouple is not overtightened. Finger-tight + 1/4 turn.
If the pilot lights, then ECO energy cut off is not tripped, but gas control valve might be bad.
Check color of pilot flame: it should be strong and clear blue.
If pilot flame is weak, or color of flame is yellow-orange: Clean pilot orifice and burner and combustion parts on yearly basis.
Clean air intake screen if applicable.
Increase air supply to water heater. Open a window and see what happens.
Check for adequate draft going up chimney using match under vent hood to see if smoke drafts immediately upwards.
Bleed air out of gas line.
Check gas pressure.

Open following links for troubleshoot resources:
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Pilot-light-will-not-stay-lit.pdf
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Pilot-outage-troubleshooting.pdf
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Vent-spillage-test-atmospheric-gas-water-heater.pdf
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html#troubleshoot

The pilot flame must touch (burn) the tip oqef the t-couple to hold the magnet in the gas value open.make sure the pilot orifice (hole) is clear.the pilot pressure (in the tube) is factory set full open & can only be adjusted down (less). Also check the gas **** didn't get closed or turned half way.? Assuming its not the t-couple. If all is good & it still won't stay on. Replace the gas value.!

Remove front cover,or just lower section if you can. they usually just need to be lifted up about an inch or so and pulled out. However some have covers that snap in place. After you remove cover locate gas valve. It should have a control knob on top with markings for on, off, and pilot. Set control to pilot. Follow lines from gas valve to burner compartment, one goes to main burner one ,small copper colored line is the thermocouple, other line is the pilot. Turn thermostat down as far as it will go. Make sure gas supply valve in line to heater is on and then depress pilot control , when you have pilot control depressed have a match or other small flame source close to pilot assembly. If it lights then hold down on pilot control for a couple of mins. Slowly release pilot control and if it stays lit turn gas control to on. Turn thermostat up to call for heat and burner should light. If pilot doesn't stay lit when you release pilot control then try again holding pilot down longer. If it still won't stay lit then thermocouple will need replace. Good luck. Thanks

there is a small adjustment screw on the gas valve,turn it clockwise to increase pilot,if that does not work the vent cap on the gas regulator on the back of the unit could be stopped up,remove that cap ,clean out or replace unit can operate without it just fine.If you increase the pilot and it still wont stay lit replace the thermocouple

thormopile may be gone or your wires or switch have bad connection, try taking a small jumper wire and with pilot lit , jump out the valve on the top and bottom screws on the gas valve located inside bottom door. no danger of shock seing this is low voltage and cannot shock you , you can't ever fell it. if unit lights then check wires at switch and gas valve

check millivolt output,if it is in normal range(400-600)check for continuity on pressure switch,flame rollout and high limits.

check to make sure that the thermocouple is in the flame pilot heats this up and sends milli volt signal to gas valve to maintain pilot and main flame if bad lowes or any whare gas water heaters are sold have them hope this helps