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#1
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Gas water heater runs for only one minute
I have an American Water Heater ProLine water heater which is about
22-months old. Yesterday, it stopped working and I noticed that the pilot light was off. So, I lit the pilot according to the instructions on the tank and turned the heater ON. The burner came on and I left home thinking my problem was solved. This morning, there was no hot water again and I went through the same sequence and this time, I stayed around to notice that the heater is turning itself off (including the pilot light) in approximately one minute. A few other observations: - If I leave the gas control knob in Pilot, the pilot light stays on for ever. I checked after 3 hrs and it was still on. I think this means that the thermocouple is NOT the problem. - If I turn the gas control knob to ON and leave the thermostat on VACATION, the burner never turns on and the pilot light stays on for ever. - If I turn gas control knob to ON and turn the thermostat hotter until the burner turns on, the burner runs for about a minute and turns off. At this point, the pilot light is also off. I noticed that sometimes the flame turns yellow for a moment or two, especially before the burner turns off, but mostly the flame is blue and looks normal. I would appreciate any comments or suggestions on what the problem could be. Tomorrow in the daylight, I am going to open the inside door and take a look, but any suggestions on what I should look for would be welcome. I am proceeding under the assumption that replacing the thermocouple will not solve my problem because the pilot light is not going out by itself. Is this thinking correct? |
#2
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Gas water heater runs for only one minute
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#3
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Gas water heater runs for only one minute
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#4
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Gas water heater runs for only one minute
Salmon Egg wrote: Contrary to your conclusion, I think that the thermocouple IS the problem. The main valve solenoid draws a relatively large load that the thermocouple is not able to supply--at least for long. The result is that both pilot and main valve drop out. Maybe the holding valve for the pilot light is on the borderline. In that case, it may shut off the pilot light when the main solenoid turns on. Bill -- Ferme le Bush Salmon, Thanks for your response. I am afraid I am not expert enough to understand this explanation. Isn't the fact that the pilot light stays on for ever (so long as the burner doesn't turn on) an indication that the thermocouple is OK? |
#5
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Gas water heater runs for only one minute
Speedy Jim wrote: Once the thermocouple energizes the solenoid inside the gas control, both pilot AND main burner gas passages are opened and stay open. I agree; this is not a thermocouple issue. QUOTE: "I noticed that sometimes the flame turns yellow for a moment or two, especially before the burner turns off," This may be the pertinent clue. This is an indication of insufficient combustion air. Since this is an atmospheric burner, draft is produced by the flue. If the flue is blocked, air supply will be cut down. 22 months seems like a short life to have developed an internal flue problem (buckled tank inner flue passage) but it could happen. Chimney flue could be blocked too. That's where I would begin. Less likely, I think, is a restriction in the gas supply which causes the gas pressure to drop off when the main burner comes on. But look into both. Jim Jim, Thanks a lot for your response. I think you may have put your finger on the cause of my problem. This morning, I have been trying to open the water heater inside door and guess what I heard. Beautiful bird chirpings from inside the flue! I ran out immediately and looked at the chimney flue on the roof but didn't notice any birds (probably flew away). Couldn't see any nest material sticking out but from my viewing angle on the ground (this is a 2-story house), it would be hard to see. For the few moments I heard the birds, they were really loud so I think they were real close to the flue if not right inside it. My current best theory is that the birds blocked chimney flue with their nest (probably built over the last couple of days) and the burner is shutting off after consuming the little oxygen there is in the passage from the tank to the roof. Now, I am at a loss as to who to call. Not the plumber, right? |
#6
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Gas water heater runs for only one minute
Here is an update.
I called a plumber finally and he didn't believe in my theory. He replaced the thermostat and the burner in turn and that didn't solve the problem as I expected. He totally discounted my theory about birds blocking the flue because he says it is too hot for birds to build a nest. Eventually, he came up with his own theory that there is a small leak in the tank and that falling water drops were putting out the flame. He called the heater company and convinced them of his diagnosis and got them to replace the heater under warranty. I now have a new water heater and had to pay $400 for labor. I am quite sure I was overcharged for labor and my wife thinks I am stupid. Anyway, the new water heater appears to work fine. End of chapter. |
#7
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Gas water heater runs for only one minute
On 11 Jun 2006 07:35:17 -0700, "tinkynan"
wrote: Jim, Thanks a lot for your response. I think you may have put your finger on the cause of my problem. This morning, I have been trying to open the water heater inside door and guess what I heard. Beautiful bird chirpings from inside the flue! If you have bird chirpings from inside the flue, I think you have the bird flue. AFAIK, this is the first case in the United States. I ran out immediately and looked at the chimney flue on the roof but didn't notice any birds (probably flew away). If they flew away, it means it could be spreading. Please contact public health authorities immediately. Couldn't see any nest material sticking out but from my viewing angle on the ground (this is a 2-story house), it would be hard to see. For the few moments I heard the birds, they were really loud so I think they were real close to the flue if not right inside it. My current best theory is that the birds blocked chimney flue with their nest (probably built over the last couple of days) and the burner is shutting off after consuming the little oxygen there is in the passage from the tank to the roof. Now, I am at a loss as to who to call. Not the plumber, right? |
#8
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Gas water heater runs for only one minute
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