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Asked by: Morgana Oar
asked in category: General Last Updated: 1st April, 2020
How to Replace the Thermocouple on a Whirlpool Water Heater
- Turn off the gas at the manual shut-off valve that supplies the gas to control valve/thermostat by turning it clockwise.
- Remove the outer door from the bottom of the water heater by grasping the door with your hands, and pulling the metal tabs attached to the outer door from the slots on the body of the water heater.
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Keeping this in view, how do I change the thermocouple in my water heater?
How to Replace a Water Heater’s Thermocouple
- Turn off the gas supply.
- Unfasten the three nuts that hold the thermocouple and the two gas tubes to the valve.
- Detach the thermocouple from the burner.
- Install the new one the same way that you removed the old one.
- Turn the gas back on and follow the lighting instructions on the water heater.
Beside above, are water heater thermocouples universal? Universal Thermocouples. Universal thermocouples, as the name implies work on most water heaters. They are available online and in home supply stores for a reasonable cost. The length and the thread type are the two concerns when purchasing one.
Similarly, how much does it cost to replace a thermocouple on a water heater?
Thermocouple Replacement – $20-$150 Calling a professional plumber to install a new thermocouple should only be up to $150. If you do the work yourself, you will only pay the price of the part which is about $20.
How do you know if you have a bad thermocouple?
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.
39 Related Question Answers Found
How do you fix a bad thermocouple?
A burned out or broken thermocouple should be replaced. To replace a thermocouple: Step 1: Unscrew the copper lead and the connection nut inside the threaded connection to the gas line. Step 2: Under the mounting bracket at the thermocouple tube, unscrew the bracket nut that holds the tube in place.
How long does a thermocouple last?
Thermocouples can last several years, but they don’t typically last as long as the furnace itself. If the pilot remains lit, but the main furnace doesn’t stay lit, it’s time to replace the thermocouple.
Can you clean a thermocouple?
If the Thermocouple is faulty it will cause the unit to shut down. How to clean? Remove Thermocouple from pilot assembly, using steel wool or emery cloth to lightly clean the tip removing any soot or build up that might have accorded due to an improper pilot flame.
How do you test a thermocouple?
Steps Locate the pilot light controls on the gas valve. Turn the pilot light on for 30 seconds. Release the button to see if the pilot light goes out. Turn off the gas supply to test the thermocouple again. Count to 20 and wait for the pilot light to go out. Listen for clicking near the gas valve.
Why does my pilot light keep going out on water heater?
Usually, a problem with the thermocouple causes the pilot light to go out. The thermocouple is the small copper rod that the pilot light hits. The thermocouple’s job is to shut a gas safety valve if the pilot light goes out. That’s important because gas is always being supplied to the pilot to keep the flame lit.
Can you clean a thermocouple on a water heater?
Cleaning Steps Turn off the power to your hot water heater so that you do not risk becoming injured while cleaning the thermocouple. The ends of this piece may be corroded, preventing power from reaching the pilot light. Sand the ends of the thermocouple with emery cloth sandpaper.
Can I replace a thermocouple myself?
Burner assembly 1 cause of pilot lights that won’t stay lit is a worn-out thermocouple. It’s easy to replace and a new one costs $5 to $10. Rather than trying to unfasten the thermocouple inside the water heater’s burning chamber, it’s easier to remove the whole burner and thermocouple assembly.
How often do pressure relief valves need to be replaced?
five years
Why does pilot not stay lit on water heater?
When the pilot light on a water heater will no longer stays lit, it typically means the thermocouple is bad. Thermocouples are little electric generators that create a magnetic current that holds open a magnetic gas valve inside the control unit on the front of the water heater.
Can I bypass a thermal switch on water heater?
What can happen when the thermal switch on newer gas water heaters is bypassed with a wire nut? If the 2 wires that went through/ to the thermal safety are now connected to each other with the wire nut, that is definitely not a safe thing to do, you never bypass a safety except in testing, diagnosing etc.
What does a thermocouple look like?
The thermocouple looks like a piece of metal tubing smaller than a soda straw. To find it, first locate the gas control box. This is the box that the main gas line enters, where you turn the gas on in the furnace. The other end of the thermocouple sits in the flame of the pilot light.
Does Home Depot sell thermocouple?
Thermocouple/Thermopile – The Home Depot.
