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Q The pilot light on my gas water heater won’t stay lit. Any ideas?
A The No. 1 cause of this problem 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. Then detach the thermocouple from the burner and take it with you to the home center or hardware store to ensure you buy the right replacement.
First shut off the gas valve on the water heater and the gas valve on the gas line near the heater. Then unfasten the three nuts that hold the thermocouple and the two gas tubes to the valve. The burner typically sits loosely—or under clips—in the burning chamber and just slides out. This is a good time to vacuum out the burner compartment, check for water leaks and remove debris in the burner ports.
Attach the thermocouple and reinstall the burner assembly. Light the pilot following the instructions on the water heater. Check for gas leaks by applying soapy water to joints and looking for bubbles while the main burner is firing.
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