Just thought I'd toss this out there for opinions.
Have a Suburban (think it is an SWH6) model, something like that.
It has a standard Thermocoupler.
Unit Lights with a Flame Stick no problem after a few seconds, hold the button down for 45 sec and Pilot is lit. Turn on valve and it fires up normal, runs full length till water is hot and shuts off.
Few hours later when u want some hot water, not there, just warm.
Go outside and the Pilot is out. Sometimes breezy conditions, sometimes overnight calm. I relight and it is fine for another run.
Thinking either a weak Thermocoupler or Pilot Flame needs adjusted.
Any Tips on Pilot Adjusting? Tried the Adj Screw and really don't see any change, Unless I am overlooking something. There is a Brass Screw for the Adjust. Originally it seemed closed tight all the way.
I turn it counter-clockwise and see no change. Is this the Actual Adjuster Screw, OR is this a Cover Screw Over the Real Adjuster Screw recessed inside the hole?
Happened to me last weekend. Brought it to a dealer they burped the system and worked fine so far for them. My problem was it would only stay lit for 10-15 minutes tho. Check to be sure you dont have any air in the water heater.
2007 Nissan Titan, 5.6L Big tow, Equli-z-er Hitch
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Mine used to do that also, changed out the thermocouple and cleaned out the gas line for the pilot light and everything works fine now. It is a cheap and easy fix, I think there are four screws and a couple of lines to remove, but it is simple enough.
Dave & Pat
1999 Wanderer 230FB
2004 F250, XLT Crew Cab, V10, finally, enough power!
"No kids, no pets, trying to make it to retirement"
My owners manual has a nice diagram of the parts, and it doesn't appear to be too difficult to adjust the thermocouple. (Pilot Flame should engulf the tip of the thermocouple-adjust as needed). I've read somewhere about the Flame-Stick (or whatever lighter) moving the thermocouple when one is trying to light the pilot.
Just contacted the dealer where we got it last year and got him to ship me a Thermocouple just in case. In the mean time, the Brass Screw IS just a Locking Set Screw. That has to be removed and in the Recessed Hole is the actual Pilot Adjust Screw. Going to try getting a bigger flame, because it doesn't appear big enough to me to engulf the Probe. Never has been. Too short and thin, does not contact the Probe. This may resolve it, but at least I'll have the part with me on the trip and can change it out on the fly.
UPDATE: I took the Pilot Tube apart last night and shot Gumout through it from the Valve end. The Flame end of the tip had some dark residue on it. The pinhole may have been partially coated over. Two short blasts on the Gumout backfired out the valve end fitting, then it broke thru and started shooting a fine thin stream of mist out the tiny pinhole where the pilot gas exits. Did this three times, dried it out and reinstalled the tube in place.
Now the Flame looks much bigger and healthier, blue and wide with a small orange tip. It is now Engulfing the Thermocouple Probe as the manual says it should. I think this will resolve it. We'll see. If now I will at least have the new Thermocouple onboard to changeout.
Thanks for all the tips and info!
* This post was
edited 07/03/08 05:08am by KC8WX *
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