I am experiencing an issue with my Atwood water heater I was wondering if anyone else has had trouble with before, and what they did to correct the issue.
When the WH is lit, I turn the knob to "pilot" and the pilot lights very easily using a gas grill lighter, and the flame looks nice. When I turn the knob to "on", the burner lights up, and sometimes the pilot light blows out. When the pilot light blows out, the burner stays lit until the thermocouple cools off, and then the valve shuts...usually about a minute or two. Sometimes, the pilot light stays lit, and everything is fine.
I am thinking maybe this is just an adjustment issue... can the burner be adjusted to keep this from happening?
I had one do that also. Noticed a screw head about 1/2 inch wide on the side of control unit. I removed it and inside was a small adj screw that adjusted the size of the pilot flame. Set the flame just a bit higher. No more trouble.
I had an old HVAC guy tell me that many times you can get and old thermcouple to work by sanding the surface of the of it. It worked on my gas logs for the house. Might be worth a try before you replace it.
Also, my water heater pilot will go out if the wind is blowing out of the right direction. I sometimes put something in the front of the heater to block the wind. No more problems.
I replaced the thermocouple on my Atwood water heater few years ago ... bought the new thermocouple at Wal-Mart for $1.99...
But last time I had problems with the water heater, I had to replace the entire gas valve. Cost $90 and another $60 for the repairman to replace it..
Yes... I could have done it myself... but ...... the water tank is aluminum and 13 years old....
and suppose when trying to unscrew the gas valve from the aluminum tank, the aluminum tank got ripped/torn ??
Who would have had to pay for a new tank ? If I had done it, I would have had to buy a new tank... but if the repairman did it, HE would have to buy a new tank...
there are some advantages to hiring a "Professional" to do a job..
Try the new thermocouple first... but call a repairman if that does not fix the problem... it might save you a lot of grief and money..
Best Wishes,
John
John Harrelson
Carson City, Nevada
fulltime since 1977
93 Ford 350 4wd Diesel
95 Prowler 30.5 ft 5th wheel w/slide
TWO CENTS WORTH
The story goes that a man died and was approached by the Devil who told him that he could buy his soul back for a dollar. The man searched his pockets and could only come up with 98 cent. While begging the Devil to forget the two cent he was short, an Angel happened by and hearing the Devil laughing, asked the man, "Would you mind if I put in my two cents ?" The Devil got so mad that he exploded in a puff of smoke and the man's soul was saved. The moral: Sometimes putting in your two cents worth makes a difference.
JOHN "the cook" 1997
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