If you’re looking to replace a damaged or corroded water heater thermocouple or flame sensor, you’ve come to the right place. This article will teach you how to properly route the replacement thermocouple in the same routing as the old one. If the new thermocouple is longer than the original, no problem! Simply leave some extra length near the gas valve connection. Mount the sensor end into a supporting bracket next to the pilot flame tubing.
Problems with the other end
If you’ve ever noticed that your water heater’s pilot light is off, you might be having problems with the other end of the water heater thermocouple or flame sensor. This common problem can be fixed easily by removing the thermocouple and checking the other end. The thermocouple is made of two metals that are glued together and have a small nut or clip holding it in place. Turn the 7/16″ wrench clockwise to loosen the nut. The thermocouple will come off once the gas valve thinks the sensor is not working properly, and the pilot light will remain off.
Getting to the other end is easy, and you should be able to unscrew the screw and remove it from the housing. If the flame sensor is corroded or has burned materials, you can use light grain sandpaper to scrape off the area with a paper towel. If the flame sensor still does not read properly, contact a technician for a replacement.
Repairing a thermocouple
A bad thermocouple or flame sensor may have nothing to do with the thermostatic control of your water heater; it may simply be a problem with the thermocouple. Either way, the task is relatively straightforward. First, you need to remove the burner assembly and thermocouple. It will likely be accessed through a burner access cover. Then, remove the gas line nuts and thermocouple from the burner assembly.
To check the thermocouple, first ensure that the pilot light is lit. If there is a pilot light, a dirty opening may prevent the flame from reaching the thermocouple. If the pilot light does ignite, it might trigger the safety device that shuts off the gas. If this happens, replace the thermocouple. However, before replacing the thermocouple, make sure that the gas control valve is functioning properly.
Cleaning a thermocouple
If you’re having problems with your water heater’s flame sensor or thermocouple, you may want to replace it. These devices are used to control the flame of a burner or pilot light, and a dirty one can lead to malfunctioning. A dirty thermocouple can prevent gas from reaching the pilot or burner. Once it’s dirty, it’s likely to cause the water pilot to go out and shut off the gas supply.
To clean your flame sensor or thermocouple, you must first remove it from the burner assembly. Remove the thermocouple from the burner assembly and clean the thermocouple’s ends with sandpaper. It’s important to clean all areas of corrosion that might be clinging to it. You can also clean the burner itself, but it’s optional. While removing the burner, you’ll also need to remove mounting screws and nuts.
Repairing a corroded or dirty flame sensor
To clean a corroded or dirty flame-sensor rod, first, turn off your furnace and power. Next, use an emery cloth to clean away any soot or dirt that has collected on the sensor. Soot can clog the flame sensor, and if you can’t get it clean, you may need to replace it. Be careful not to sand the sensor too much or you will risk damaging the sensor.
To check if the flame sensor has become corroded or dirty, remove the screw and pull the sensor out. It may be secured with a 1/4″ hex head screw. Remove the sensor and inspect it for dirt and burnt material. Light patches of corrosion should be easy to remove. You can clean the flame sensor’s surface using paper towels. If the sensor continues to give off too much heat, you may need to replace it.
