How to clean a thermocouple
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How do you clean a gas thermocouple?
How do I know if my thermocouple is bad?
If you can’t get the flame to light at all, and you’re sure the gas is on, there’s probably an obstruction in the pilot tube. If the flame lights and goes out when you release the gas control knob after holding it in for the recommended 20 to 30 seconds, that’s the sign of a thermocouple malfunction.
Will cleaning thermocouple help?
That’s why it’s important to know how to keep a thermocouple clean and in working order. Luckily, cleaning or replacing a thermocouple is an easy fix that most handy homeowners can take on themselves.
How do you clean a dirty thermocouple on a water heater?
Clean the thermocouple – using the emery cloth sandpaper, sand the ends of the thermocouple and then give it a finishing touch with the lint-free cloth. Hopefully, you can get to the ends of the thermocouple without having to detach it from the assembly, but you may have to do that.
Can you fix a thermocouple?
If the pilot lights but the flame goes out as soon as you release the button after holding it for 60 seconds, then the thermocouple is bad. It’s possible to replace the thermocouple without removing the burner assembly, and many repair people do this.
Can you clean a thermocouple on a water heater?
Cleaning the thermocouple
You can use Emery cloth sandpaper to gently clean any debris or build-up from the end of the thermocouple. If present, you should also clean off any corrosion where the power wire connects to the thermocouple terminal.
How do you fix a pilot light that keeps going out?
This is and easy fix, simply let it cool down and brush off the dirt or debris. Your thermocouple might bend. The end that sits near the pilot light flame is what communicates with the gas valve and tells it to open or close. If it is bent away from the flame it won’t register heat and will keep the gas valve closed.
What do you do if your pilot light won’t stay lit?
How to Light Your Furnace’s Pilot
- Make sure the thermostat is in heat mode.
- Locate the pilot valve.
- Always turn the valve knob to the off position and make sure to wait at least several minutes for any residual gas to clear away.
- Get your match ready.
- Once the pilot stays lit, turn the pilot valve to the on position.
Why does my water heater pilot not stay lit?
Bent thermocouple: Sometimes, when your gas water heater won’t stay lit, if you check the thermocouple, you may see that it has been bent. This will prevent the pilot light from heating it. This will cause the thermocouple to turn off the supply of gas, and then your water heater won’t light.
How long do thermocouples last?
Thermocouples are rigorously tested and should last for years. Indeed, experts believe a four-year check cycle is all that is needed to make sure things are functioning properly.
How much does it cost to replace a thermocouple?
The thermocouple is an apparatus that senses whether the pilot light is lit and triggers the gas control valve. Repairs typically cost about $150 to have it done professionally, though a new thermocouple itself only costs about $20 on average.
How do you test a thermocouple?
Will a pilot light stay lit with a bad thermocouple?
A thermocouple senses the heat of the pilot and allows gas to flow to the burner. A bad thermocouple will shut off gas to both the pilot and the burner so the pilot light won’t stay lit.
What causes a thermocouple to fail?
Changes in temperature can cause regular expansion and contraction in metal, which will cause thermocouples to weaken over time. After enough time, metal fatigue can cause a thermocouple to break. If thermocouples start to give out unusual readings, it may be suffering from metal fatigue.
Can you bypass a thermocouple?
To bypass the thermocouple: Move the tilts switch wire aside. Remove your thermocouple from the heater using an 8mm wrench. Pull the valve housing aside using your 13mm socket wrench.
Should the flame touch the thermocouple?
The pilot flame should touch the thermocouple at a specific level. If the flame is blue and weak, and barely reaches the thermocouple, it needs to be stronger. If it extends well above the thermocouple, it’s too strong.
How do you jump a thermocouple?
- Turn off the gas on the main line that supplies your gas fired appliance.
- Remove the thermocouple access panel.
- Locate the thermocouple proper.
- Disconnect the nut that attaches the thermocouple to the gas control valve with your wrench.
- Pull the thermocouple out fully and replace the access door.
How do you tighten a thermocouple on a nut?
To adjust the thermocouple, you must tighten the thermocouple nut with a wrench. Take care not to apply too much pressure to the nut — just tighten it slightly. Then try lighting the pilot. If the pilot won’t stay lit, replace the thermocouple with a new one of the same type.
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