-Our Website has FREE Videos, Calculators, Podcasts, Articles, Tips, Quizzes, Q/A: www.acservicetech.com -Facebook Tips: facebook.com/acservicetech -Tools we use, Our Book, Workbook, and Quick Cards: www.amazon.com/shop/acservicetech -Our E-book, Paperback, Workbook, Quick Cards, Powerpoint, www.acservicetech.com/ac-book -Our E-book: play.google.com/store and search "ac service tech" -Spanish Book & E-book: www.acservicetech.com /store -Join our updates list for an email strictly from us for new videos, articles, products and website features! www.acservicetech.com
I know Im asking randomly but does someone know of a tool to get back into an instagram account?? I was dumb forgot my password. I would appreciate any tips you can offer me!
@Jameson Kasen I really appreciate your reply. I found the site through google and I'm trying it out now. I see it takes quite some time so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
The idea that a spiderweb was messing up my ignition! That shows practical experience. A very straightforward explanation, and a total lifesaver after our pilot light needed lit. Thanks!
Thank you for this instructional video. I wanted to add. We just had our central air gas heater exchanged. The technician shut off the gas to install the new system. The new HVAC heating works GREAT. However, when I got up this morning we had no hot water. The pilot light went out when they installed the new system. I tried a dozen times to reignite the pilot on the water heater, but nothing. However, when the tech installed the new HVAC system and turned off the gas into the house, it evacuated the entire gas line leading into the water heater, and because of the tiny orifice on the pilot light, it took forever for gas to refill into the pilot gas line. You follow me? So, I had to hold down on the pilot button forever until gas refilled the line and the igniter finally worked. I was freaking out. "It is this or that?" for an entire hour. Anyway.... we got hot water again! Thanks Coach!
My spark wire wasn't grounded right. Two different plumbers talking about, "be a few days." 5 min into the video had my answer and fixed it myself. Appreciate the video man
Cannot thank you enough for putting together this excellent video! Saved me a lot of time, money, and trouble. Thanks to you, after a couple of hours I had the new parts and a working water heater, you sir are an absolute mensch!
Thank you so much for this video and sharing your expertise! I have been struggling for 2 days, since the power return after 5 days without, to get the water heater relit and your explanation helped me to see what I was doing wrong. Here's to a hot shower, FINALLY!
Thanks so much for posting this tutorial. The demo model you used was quite similar to my water heater setup, so, it gave me the confidence to take out the burner assembly and replace the thermocouple. Problem solved. I now have hot water again, and, it only cost me $13! With much appreciation - Steve
This video is GREAT. Covered the reasons things don't work, not just how to replace them. Brand new water heater install, Piezo doesn't work, not grounded. Works now. Thank you!!!
OMG!! I followed the instructions labeled on my water heater and watched at least 3 or 5 other UA-cam videos all have incorrect instructiona to light up the Pilot light. I noticed and followed your settings from the beginning of the clip to light up the pilot and it worked. OMG! Thank you.
Very very very helpful video. After pressing the ignitor I didnt think it was lit until your video showed me it burns very low & clean until depressing the pilot button & turning up the heat. Thanks alot sir, you saved me a serivce call for something super simple. Clicking the thumbs up button in this video
Thank you so much for this! I had tried over and over again to light the pilot on my water heater but after watching this video, it took me less that 2 minutes! I was getting ready to call in a professional!! You save me lots of money!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
At the 2:20 mark you helped me figure out how to get my heater fixed. I just held down the pilot light longer than two minutes to warm up and get that magnet to kick in
Thank you! Replaced my thermocouple, still wouldn't stay lit. The end of the pilot tube was bent out a bit, bent it back in and back in business. This helped me greatly and spared a repair bill and a big wait for a tech! Thanks!
Thank You for putting this video out here, I was able repair my water heater. It was the thermocouple, saved me lot money was thinking of new water heater. Prices for new ones are outrageous.
Great Job! Not many like you. Your not playing games. You Truthful want to help people in detail. Plus leaving all important detail covered. Great job. After tearing the heater apart. I felt like a hero for my family. The next morning the temperature dropped. Yet people need to have at least some common since on understand that this is gas so read very correctly before proceeding. Thank yup
This is an excellent video and I have saved it away for future reference. Very comprehensive. I wish I were home right now.... I'm away right now doing chores for my 96-year-old dad. I got a call from my wife saying there is no h/w. Bummer. After looking at some so-so videos, I found this one and wish I were home to fix it myself. My wife tried lighting the pilot but could not. I still have 4 more days here and she needs h/w, so we'll have to spend a few hundred bucks to have someone else do an easy repair.
Thank you for making such an excellent video that explains all of the many possible issues with a water heater pilot light. You should be teaching classes at your local trade school!! Anyway I woke up Sunday morning to no hot water. I tried lighting my pilot several times without success After watching your video I tried the 1st thing - the igniter wasn't grounded. I cleaned out the area and made sure it was touching the gas control box Then I tried it again and SUCCESS!!! Pilot lit!!!! Again thank you for making this video and sharing your vast knowledge with homeowners I greatly appreciate it!!!!
Thank you so much!! You said your name to fast I didn’t catch it but I watched your video went down stairs removed the entire burn assembly cleaned everything the way you described in the addition to all the rust from the tank laying on the burn!! Put everything back together and I had hot later yesterday evening. Pretty much saved my bacon. Checked this afternoon pilot light was still on and I had hoist water. I know eventually I will need to replace but your tips worked beautifully!!!! Thank you so much
I have been looking for some helpful information about how to light up the pilot, and I found yours... and let me tell you, it is the best video with real solutions I have seen. Thank you so much for this complete and professional explanation!!❤❤
This is an awesome video lesson on household water heater. By far, the best I’ve ever watched. There’s a lot of science of physics on water heaters and HVAC ( laws of thermodynamics, electricity, even chemistry). Sadly, Americans today take from granted and casual, these appliances that makes our lives much better. I soon will be enrolled in a 3 week, deep hands on HVAC, no fluff program, to become a technician and then later on a certified HVAC man! Thank you very much for this video. I already do water heaters installations for people but never learned these troubleshooting at once like this. Thanks !
Very thorough in detailed video. Thank you so much for that. You just saved hundreds of dollars. I had an issue with thermolimit, @13:25 resetting the fuse helped me and saved hours of research. I couldn't have figured out if it was not explained so well. I feel like I am a technician now, lol.
Wow I never really knew how a water tank actually worked, thanks for a concise educational video. I've been an electrician for over 20 years and actually never understood how a solenoid works in a plumbing scenario.... Now I know! Still learning. Thanks
Great video! Excellent! I went to take a shower today and didn’t think the water felt very hot. I checked the water heater and tried lighting it and there was no spark. I don’t have time to go get parts and have a technician coming tomorrow. Video explained all the parts.
Thanks. Excellent video with clear explanation. Now I understand why our gas hot water heater may not be igniting; lack of spark or lack of gas to pilot. Simple issues but getting a techie to come out and do the job probably will require that I take out a second mortgage to pay for multiple visits before it gets sorted. And that excludes travelling time and tool time and apprentice 's costs. Buying and fitting new unit is probably less expensive.
So much knowledge in this video. I feel confident in going home and seeing if I can troubleshoot my water heater. One area I didn't notice where you address some possible solutions is when the wind blows out the pilot light. When it's windy in my area, which is almost all the time, I can almost certainly expect to have to go home and relight the pilot. Any tips on how to fix this?
I wanted to say, This video was very educational and gave me insight on where to start with my water heater. For me, it was the thermocouple that went bad. But before last night, I didnt know a thing about this Trade. Thank you for such an informative video.
Thank you very much. Now how do i make the flame small again? lol I am a master wireman, and my wife was hoping for an explosion when I put it all back together
Perfect video it’s never enough for me just to do a quick fix and on to the next job. It’s real important to understand how everything works and why and why a potential problem exists. This video does it all and I thank you very much. I now understand all the workings and problems that can arise. And most important how to safely repair as needed. Thx again love to learn.
Excellent work, thank you, my warranty people have been through 2 controllers, a burner set and are now asking me to pay $270.00 directly to them for a fix due to my warranty parts supply have now ended, I ordered the full burner kit ( from manufacturer) and now will install it myself for only $115.00, if that doesn''t work I will replace the controller also thanks to your video. oh yes I have been without hot water intermitantly for a total of 20 days in a 3 month period, doesn't pay to be senior now days, scams are everywhere, just as a reminder.
Thank you, thank you thank you! This is such an excellent video. The best I have seen out of all the ones I've been watching on how to troubleshoot my broken pilot light on an old American standard water heater. Really appreciated all of the detail. Lucky for me I do have an ohmmeter, multimeter, etc. don't know if I'll go through all the work to diagnose at part level as will probably just pay the $90 and get a whole new assembly with everything included and pop in and see if that works but thank you again this is an excellent video.
Dateline October 2024, SW Missouri. Top story tonight: Homeowner with a hot water heater that didn’t heat water Thanks to this video, not only was hot water restored to this household in time for early morning showers, this 60 year old man learned a ton about a piece of equipment that is taken for granted, until it stops working. Your video sets the bar far higher than other creators approach when it comes to explaining the “magic” that provides hot water to a home. Your explanation of the parts involved, how they work, and how to troubleshoot issues deserves the highest praise. Using the information you explained so very well, I was able to restart my water heater. I was able to determine that the signal being generated from the hot end of the thermocouple was not making the trip to the magnet end, based on holding the spring switch down for over six minutes and watching the pilot flame go out. Since I could see that the pilot flame was blue and clear, and that it seemed to be surrounding the thermocouple, I deduced that one of three things was occurring. Either the thermocouple wore out after 12 years of service, the contact at the valve body was no longer adequate, or the carbon/soot buildup on the hot end had finally gotten thick enough. Since I’m an “easy fix first” kind of guy, I detached the thermocouple wire assembly from the valve body and went after it with a brass bristle brush. I was surprised at the amount of dust that was flung into the air. Once I was happy with the way the contact looked, I reattached the wire to the valve body and relit the pilot flame. After about 2 minutes, I gently allowed the spring button to push up. To my amazement and utter joy, the pilot stayed lit. I then set the thermostat to the appropriate level and watched the burner flame on. You, sir, are an answer to a prayer. Without your willingness to share your knowledge in such a helpful way, I would facing the prospect of calling a technician to fix it for me, costing more than I would want to pay for such a simple fix, not to mention the possible time without hot water in the house (leading to a very grumpy wife, as well as two grandchildren scurrying around, getting dirtier by the minute). From the depths of my soul, thank you, sir. I am eternally grateful to you.
Thank you. Very informative. I truly appreciate your in-depth explanation of the sequence of operation, the function, and principles of the individual components.
Fantastic Video. I'm having a problem with my spark ignitor grounding out somewhere or corrosion on the ignitor rod inside. I tested the ignitor and it is producing a spark. The spark isn't making its way inside. I'm guessing it's corrosion since if I press the ignitor enough I finally get a spark inside. Once the pilot is lit I can see a spark every time I press the ignitor.
Good breakdown video I didn’t know anything about boilers before this Unfortunately on mine I had to replace the thermocouple few buck at my local hardware store
You are a bloody legend mate, thanks for your informative and well put together video. I also like that you have taken all the main bits out of a heater to display the workings of a gas HWS.
Very educational and informative! Thanks. My water pressure regulator went out and water leak from the pressure relieve valve wetted the heater and it is no longer working. Tried to re-light the pilot light but saw no sparks. My ignitor looks just like at video's 2:54 with a green push button. 1. Can the ignitor be too wet to spark? 2. Re. gounded, are we talking about the ignitor's gold tip or the ignitor holder? I am frustrated. Please help. All comments are welcome!
For getting stuff lit while testing. I bought one of the battery operated Pizzo's. As long as I hold down button the sparker is zapping. So I take and plug igniter from heater to zapper. Connect my ground clamp to heater and away I go.
I really love the explanation ! Suggestion it will be better using 2 cameras ( don’t see the flame on most of the cases, also when you pressed the pilot bottom, etc), again you are the best person explaining how the ignition on water heater I ever saw !
Thank you for this amazing step by step guide. Contractor wanted $1,900.00 to replace my 16 yo Whirlpool WH. When the only issue was I needed to hold the reset button down for ONE entire minute. Even PG&E tech couldn’t get my burner to light. But after I found your video, I followed the instructions again but this time held the reset down longer, and it WORKED. I’m a 62 yo woman and have been scammed by contractors repeatedly, so it’s difficult to trust any of them. GO KAMALA!🇺🇸😁💪🏾
Big help, The igniter cable was grounded where it passes through the cover right where you pointed at it in the video. Other than that you obviously teach well.
All in all an excellent video. I do have some issue with your explanation of the thermal fuse. At about 15:45 you state that the fuse shouldn’t “pop“ and open up unless there is no water in the tank, i disagree. The thermal fuse is a safety measure in the event of an overheating condition to keep water below the boiling point. If you look at the rating of the fuse is is probably around 91C (195 F) temperature, once the threshold is met, the fuse opens the electrical circuit from the thermocouple, pilot light is extinguished and the water heater will shut down because the pilot light will no longer be lit. The thermocouple must be hot at all times in order for gas to flow. You will note the pilot light and thermocouple are below the main burner, if the pilot light is not heating the thermocouple (even if the main burner is burning) the solenoid will be released and the gas valve will shut off gas flow to the appliance.
Maybe this is my problem, but I'm really green with this experience, could you possibly read my 2 comment posts & let me know what you think is my problem? I think that it's the metal deal that's not heating & keeping the pilot lit. That part of the video threw me off when he was explaining that one. Not sure.. maybe I have ADHD? I think I'll just clean the burner compartment & take a metal scrub brush to all parts that take LP gas bcuz I'm not a technician. I saw another Rheem pilot video where they talked about a fail safe feature, glass deal with black oil inside it that breaks when there's an issue & causes the pilot to shut down. The guy never said what model he had so not sure if my Rheem has one or not? I think my model is a Rheem classic. Wish the plumber would have installed a different brand bcuz I'm not at all impressed with Rheem & all the videos where customers are having multiple issues with these.
Thanks for the video, I have a problem that the pilot turns off in some time during the day, I notice when the water comes out cold.how can I fix the problem?
Damn Brother, great video. I wish I had found u earlier. I do alot of maintenance at a veterans home o live at right now and we have been having water issue problems. It clicks the pilot on but heater won't light
Whats the minimum voltage you need for a thermal couple to hold down the solenoid the valve ? I thought I heard you say 3 mV? My experience and it could be for a variety of reasons seems to be 12-9mV or less its not working. 15-30mV seems to be healthy , Thanks!
Due to the gas company injecting Antifreeze into the gas system, a slight sludge can coat the inside of the valve and cause it to stick closed. It is possible to gently pound on the valve repeatedly and that may dis lodge it. This can also happen to limit switches in the A/C circuit due to dirty refrigerant.
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-Tools we use, Our Book, Workbook, and Quick Cards: www.amazon.com/shop/acservicetech
-Our E-book, Paperback, Workbook, Quick Cards, Powerpoint, www.acservicetech.com/ac-book
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Thanks for showing me what to do. Stan
I know Im asking randomly but does someone know of a tool to get back into an instagram account??
I was dumb forgot my password. I would appreciate any tips you can offer me!
@Bryce Sergio instablaster =)
@Jameson Kasen I really appreciate your reply. I found the site through google and I'm trying it out now.
I see it takes quite some time so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
@Jameson Kasen It worked and I actually got access to my account again. I am so happy!
Thank you so much, you really help me out :D
This video is hands down the best/most detailed explanation of how a water heater combustion works!
Your home-made models are crafty, very crafty. Thanks for being so thorough.
Glad you like them!
The idea that a spiderweb was messing up my ignition! That shows practical experience. A very straightforward explanation, and a total lifesaver after our pilot light needed lit. Thanks!
You posted this video three yrs ago, and it's just as significant today in Sep 24. Incredible
Thank you for this instructional video. I wanted to add. We just had our central air gas heater exchanged. The technician shut off the gas to install the new system. The new HVAC heating works GREAT. However, when I got up this morning we had no hot water. The pilot light went out when they installed the new system. I tried a dozen times to reignite the pilot on the water heater, but nothing. However, when the tech installed the new HVAC system and turned off the gas into the house, it evacuated the entire gas line leading into the water heater, and because of the tiny orifice on the pilot light, it took forever for gas to refill into the pilot gas line. You follow me? So, I had to hold down on the pilot button forever until gas refilled the line and the igniter finally worked. I was freaking out. "It is this or that?" for an entire hour. Anyway.... we got hot water again! Thanks Coach!
My spark wire wasn't grounded right.
Two different plumbers talking about, "be a few days."
5 min into the video had my answer and fixed it myself. Appreciate the video man
Cannot thank you enough for putting together this excellent video! Saved me a lot of time, money, and trouble. Thanks to you, after a couple of hours I had the new parts and a working water heater, you sir are an absolute mensch!
A spider web in the tiny slit beside the igniter button fouled me up! Super easy fix. Thank you! It has been days since I had a warm shower.
This is the absolute best video I've ever seen in 7 years of struggling with my pilot light.
I am a UA-cam go-to for every problem. You are extraordinary - must be a teacher.
Thank you so much for this video and sharing your expertise! I have been struggling for 2 days, since the power return after 5 days without, to get the water heater relit and your explanation helped me to see what I was doing wrong. Here's to a hot shower, FINALLY!
Thanks so much for posting this tutorial. The demo model you used was quite similar to my water heater setup, so, it gave me the confidence to take out the burner assembly and replace the thermocouple. Problem solved. I now have hot water again, and, it only cost me $13! With much appreciation - Steve
This video is GREAT. Covered the reasons things don't work, not just how to replace them. Brand new water heater install, Piezo doesn't work, not grounded. Works now. Thank you!!!
I've replaced my thermocouple at least a dozen times, but had more messed up this time ... and I learned a TON from this video. Thanks!
Funny how many times you have replaced yours. I’ve never replaced mine once on my 14 yr old heater. I’m ready now if it does fail!
Man, your videos and explanation are unarguably the best out there on the net. Amazing work.
OMG!! I followed the instructions labeled on my water heater and watched at least 3 or 5 other UA-cam videos all have incorrect instructiona to light up the Pilot light. I noticed and followed your settings from the beginning of the clip to light up the pilot and it worked. OMG! Thank you.
That dust cleaning on the contacts just saved me an expensive call! Thanks for putting together this video
Very very very helpful video. After pressing the ignitor I didnt think it was lit until your video showed me it burns very low & clean until depressing the pilot button & turning up the heat. Thanks alot sir, you saved me a serivce call for something super simple. Clicking the thumbs up button in this video
Thank you so much for this! I had tried over and over again to light the pilot on my water heater but after watching this video, it took me less that 2 minutes! I was getting ready to call in a professional!! You save me lots of money!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
At the 2:20 mark you helped me figure out how to get my heater fixed. I just held down the pilot light longer than two minutes to warm up and get that magnet to kick in
ME too now it is working
Thank you! Replaced my thermocouple, still wouldn't stay lit. The end of the pilot tube was bent out a bit, bent it back in and back in business. This helped me greatly and spared a repair bill and a big wait for a tech! Thanks!
Thank You for putting this video out here, I was able repair my water heater. It was the thermocouple, saved me lot money was thinking of new water heater. Prices for new ones are outrageous.
3:14 - "Near to ground" is correct. It needs to be so near to ground, in fact, that it is actually making electrical contact with ground.
Wow! Could not possibly be more clear, thorough and direct. You should teach a course on troubleshooting-video production!
Darling husband fixed our water heater after listening to 1:23 of your video. Thank you, thank you!
Just under 20 minutes, I learned so much.
Simply the best video on the subject! Great job!
Wow, thanks!
And that’s how it feels to learn from a ‘true’ technician! Thank you so much!
Our pleasure!
The best video ever on gas valves!!!!!
Thanks a lot Sam!
I agree. This should be the first video to watch when troubleshooting.
Ki
Great Job! Not many like you. Your not playing games. You Truthful want to help people in detail. Plus leaving all important detail covered. Great job. After tearing the heater apart. I felt like a hero for my family. The next morning the temperature dropped. Yet people need to have at least some common since on understand that this is gas so read very correctly before proceeding. Thank yup
This is an excellent video and I have saved it away for future reference. Very comprehensive. I wish I were home right now....
I'm away right now doing chores for my 96-year-old dad. I got a call from my wife saying there is no h/w. Bummer. After looking at some so-so videos, I found this one and wish I were home to fix it myself. My wife tried lighting the pilot but could not. I still have 4 more days here and she needs h/w, so we'll have to spend a few hundred bucks to have someone else do an easy repair.
Thank you for making such an excellent video that explains all of the many possible issues with a water heater pilot light. You should be teaching classes at your local trade school!!
Anyway I woke up Sunday morning to no hot water.
I tried lighting my pilot several times without success
After watching your video I tried the 1st thing - the igniter wasn't grounded. I cleaned out the area and made sure it was touching the gas control box
Then I tried it again and SUCCESS!!! Pilot lit!!!!
Again thank you for making this video and sharing your vast knowledge with homeowners
I greatly appreciate it!!!!
Best video I have seen, in terms of explaining how things work. Once you understand how they work, you will do a much better trouble shooting job.
Thank you so much!! You said your name to fast I didn’t catch it but I watched your video went down stairs removed the entire burn assembly cleaned everything the way you described in the addition to all the rust from the tank laying on the burn!! Put everything back together and I had hot later yesterday evening. Pretty much saved my bacon. Checked this afternoon pilot light was still on and I had hoist water. I know eventually I will need to replace but your tips worked beautifully!!!! Thank you so much
G2 service tech here, just wanted to say how great this video was, excellent explanation and service techniques, all the best
Subscribed
Thanks a lot! Make sure to check out our website to www.acservicetech.com thanks!
Always way ahead of the others. I got exactly what I needed in much more detail. May Jesús, Mary, and Joseph bless this channel and all that work 😇
I have been looking for some helpful information about how to light up the pilot, and I found yours... and let me tell you, it is the best video with real solutions I have seen. Thank you so much for this complete and professional explanation!!❤❤
This is an awesome video lesson on household water heater. By far, the best I’ve ever watched. There’s a lot of science of physics on water heaters and HVAC ( laws of thermodynamics, electricity, even chemistry). Sadly, Americans today take from granted and casual, these appliances that makes our lives much better. I soon will be enrolled in a 3 week, deep hands on HVAC, no fluff program, to become a technician and then later on a certified HVAC man! Thank you very much for this video. I already do water heaters installations for people but never learned these troubleshooting at once like this. Thanks !
Excellent. The best that I have seen since leaving Sears and So Cal Gas Company training. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Stay safe.
Thank you so much 🥰 I haven't had hot water for 2 days and just fixed it watching your video 😊
Glad I could help!
Very thorough in detailed video. Thank you so much for that. You just saved hundreds of dollars. I had an issue with thermolimit, @13:25 resetting the fuse helped me and saved hours of research. I couldn't have figured out if it was not explained so well. I feel like I am a technician now, lol.
Wow I never really knew how a water tank actually worked, thanks for a concise educational video. I've been an electrician for over 20 years and actually never understood how a solenoid works in a plumbing scenario.... Now I know! Still learning. Thanks
This is a very comprensive troubleshooting video. Thank you for the time and energy it took to put this together.
Very impressive ! Thank you
Great video! Excellent! I went to take a shower today and didn’t think the water felt very hot. I checked the water heater and tried lighting it and there was no spark. I don’t have time to go get parts and have a technician coming tomorrow. Video explained all the parts.
Glad it helped!
Thank you, used compressed air around the green starter button and it worked! Avoided a service call charge.
Thanks. Excellent video with clear explanation. Now I understand why our gas hot water heater may not be igniting; lack of spark or lack of gas to pilot. Simple issues but getting a techie to come out and do the job probably will require that I take out a second mortgage to pay for multiple visits before it gets sorted. And that excludes travelling time and tool time and apprentice 's costs. Buying and fitting new unit is probably less expensive.
You are a true professional and an excellent educator. Thanks for the video!
Glad it was helpful!
So much knowledge in this video. I feel confident in going home and seeing if I can troubleshoot my water heater. One area I didn't notice where you address some possible solutions is when the wind blows out the pilot light. When it's windy in my area, which is almost all the time, I can almost certainly expect to have to go home and relight the pilot. Any tips on how to fix this?
I wanted to say,
This video was very educational and gave me insight on where to start with my water heater. For me, it was the thermocouple that went bad.
But before last night, I didnt know a thing about this Trade. Thank you for such an informative video.
Thanks for sharing this detailed video. The most comprehensive explanation on UA-cam !
Glad it was helpful!
Thorough and to the point with superb video graphic illustrations. No other UA-cam demonstration was better. Thanks for the attention to detail.
Thank you very much.
Now how do i make the flame small again? lol
I am a master wireman, and my wife was hoping for an explosion when I put it all back together
Saved me and my lady. Did not have hot water for a couple days, then troubleshooting with your advice I got it going!
Probably the best instructional video out there about gas valves. Thank you!
EXCELLENT explanation of how the water heater works! Thank you!!
Perfect video it’s never enough for me just to do a quick fix and on to the next job. It’s real important to understand how everything works and why and why a potential problem exists. This video does it all and I thank you very much. I now understand all the workings and problems that can arise. And most important how to safely repair as needed. Thx again love to learn.
Another great video starring a true technician! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with me! Great teaching on this subject!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you! I cleaned it and got it going again but this is the second times it's happen so I'll be calling the maintenance peeps to come take a look
This is the definitive go-to that even an arts major can grasp. Excellent work! Looking forward to a hot shower.
Excellent work, thank you, my warranty people have been through 2 controllers, a burner set and are now asking me to pay $270.00 directly to them for a fix due to my warranty parts supply have now ended, I ordered the full burner kit ( from manufacturer) and now will install it myself for only $115.00, if that doesn''t work I will replace the controller also thanks to your video. oh yes I have been without hot water intermitantly for a total of 20 days in a 3 month period, doesn't pay to be senior now days, scams are everywhere, just as a reminder.
Absolutely fantastic. You walked us thru the X-ray of hot water tank. Many thanks.
Thank you, thank you thank you! This is such an excellent video. The best I have seen out of all the ones I've been watching on how to troubleshoot my broken pilot light on an old American standard water heater. Really appreciated all of the detail. Lucky for me I do have an ohmmeter, multimeter, etc. don't know if I'll go through all the work to diagnose at part level as will probably just pay the $90 and get a whole new assembly with everything included and pop in and see if that works but thank you again this is an excellent video.
Thank U very much! 10:22- Measuring Millivolts of Water Heater Thermocouple with Multimeter fixed my problem. Voltage reading went negative!
Excellent!
Thank you so much for this video. Single mother here and it's help me
Dateline October 2024, SW Missouri. Top story tonight: Homeowner with a hot water heater that didn’t heat water
Thanks to this video, not only was hot water restored to this household in time for early morning showers, this 60 year old man learned a ton about a piece of equipment that is taken for granted, until it stops working.
Your video sets the bar far higher than other creators approach when it comes to explaining the “magic” that provides hot water to a home. Your explanation of the parts involved, how they work, and how to troubleshoot issues deserves the highest praise.
Using the information you explained so very well, I was able to restart my water heater. I was able to determine that the signal being generated from the hot end of the thermocouple was not making the trip to the magnet end, based on holding the spring switch down for over six minutes and watching the pilot flame go out. Since I could see that the pilot flame was blue and clear, and that it seemed to be surrounding the thermocouple, I deduced that one of three things was occurring. Either the thermocouple wore out after 12 years of service, the contact at the valve body was no longer adequate, or the carbon/soot buildup on the hot end had finally gotten thick enough.
Since I’m an “easy fix first” kind of guy, I detached the thermocouple wire assembly from the valve body and went after it with a brass bristle brush. I was surprised at the amount of dust that was flung into the air. Once I was happy with the way the contact looked, I reattached the wire to the valve body and relit the pilot flame. After about 2 minutes, I gently allowed the spring button to push up. To my amazement and utter joy, the pilot stayed lit. I then set the thermostat to the appropriate level and watched the burner flame on.
You, sir, are an answer to a prayer. Without your willingness to share your knowledge in such a helpful way, I would facing the prospect of calling a technician to fix it for me, costing more than I would want to pay for such a simple fix, not to mention the possible time without hot water in the house (leading to a very grumpy wife, as well as two grandchildren scurrying around, getting dirtier by the minute).
From the depths of my soul, thank you, sir. I am eternally grateful to you.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR IN-DEPTH VIDEO. YOU JUST SAVED ME A LOT!
Thank you a very easy to understand description of how things work, just ordered a new Thermopile as the voltage was around 500mv.
Great to hear!
Thank you. Very informative. I truly appreciate your in-depth explanation of the sequence of operation, the function, and principles of the individual components.
You're welcome!
Fantastic Video. I'm having a problem with my spark ignitor grounding out somewhere or corrosion on the ignitor rod inside. I tested the ignitor and it is producing a spark. The spark isn't making its way inside. I'm guessing it's corrosion since if I press the ignitor enough I finally get a spark inside. Once the pilot is lit I can see a spark every time I press the ignitor.
Super explanation and no BS just solid advice. Thanks
And no annoying 🎶 🎵
This is the most informative video ever. Thank you for your help
You're very welcome!
Good breakdown video I didn’t know anything about boilers before this
Unfortunately on mine I had to replace the thermocouple few buck at my local hardware store
Excellent video, i watched 10 videos before this one, when i get here, i solved the problem, thankyou so much.
Most thorough vid from a real pro - thanks so much!
Glad it was helpful!
Outstanding. Great video. Thanks
You are a bloody legend mate, thanks for your informative and well put together video. I also like that you have taken all the main bits out of a heater to display the workings of a gas HWS.
Thank you. You saved me about 300 dollars on a service charge/repair.
Thanks, man. This saved me big time. Follow1ed your instructions to light the pilot, and it is working now.
Very educational and informative! Thanks.
My water pressure regulator went out and water leak from the pressure relieve valve wetted the heater and it is no longer working. Tried to re-light the pilot light but saw no sparks. My ignitor looks just like at video's 2:54 with a green push button.
1. Can the ignitor be too wet to spark?
2. Re. gounded, are we talking about the ignitor's gold tip or the ignitor holder?
I am frustrated. Please help. All comments are welcome!
Amazing video! Thank you for the detailed info delivered in an understandable and efficient manner.
Thank you for the great video. After hours of struggling this helped me fix my issues.
If you’re not supposed to take the front door cover with glass off, how can you clean any of the parts inside?
Saved me a-lot of trouble thanks! My wires were touching the metal and sparking somewhere else.
For getting stuff lit while testing. I bought one of the battery operated Pizzo's. As long as I hold down button the sparker is zapping. So I take and plug igniter from heater to zapper. Connect my ground clamp to heater and away I go.
I really love the explanation ! Suggestion it will be better using 2 cameras ( don’t see the flame on most of the cases, also when you pressed the pilot bottom, etc), again you are the best person explaining how the ignition on water heater I ever saw !
Yeah that would have been good because of the distance between the two components, thanks!
Perfect video and there's always one person .. am I right
Thank you for this amazing step by step guide. Contractor wanted $1,900.00 to replace my 16 yo Whirlpool WH. When the only issue was I needed to hold the reset button down for ONE entire minute. Even PG&E tech couldn’t get my burner to light. But after I found your video, I followed the instructions again but this time held the reset down longer, and it WORKED. I’m a 62 yo woman and have been scammed by contractors repeatedly, so it’s difficult to trust any of them. GO KAMALA!🇺🇸😁💪🏾
Big help, The igniter cable was grounded where it passes through the cover right where you pointed at it in the video. Other than that you obviously teach well.
All in all an excellent video. I do have some issue with your explanation of the thermal fuse. At about 15:45 you state that the fuse shouldn’t “pop“ and open up unless there is no water in the tank, i disagree.
The thermal fuse is a safety measure in the event of an overheating condition to keep water below the boiling point. If you look at the rating of the fuse is is probably around 91C (195 F) temperature, once the threshold is met, the fuse opens the electrical circuit from the thermocouple, pilot light is extinguished and the water heater will shut down because the pilot light will no longer be lit. The thermocouple must be hot at all times in order for gas to flow. You will note the pilot light and thermocouple are below the main burner, if the pilot light is not heating the thermocouple (even if the main burner is burning) the solenoid will be released and the gas valve will shut off gas flow to the appliance.
Maybe this is my problem, but I'm really green with this experience, could you possibly read my 2 comment posts & let me know what you think is my problem? I think that it's the metal deal that's not heating & keeping the pilot lit. That part of the video threw me off when he was explaining that one. Not sure.. maybe I have ADHD? I think I'll just clean the burner compartment & take a metal scrub brush to all parts that take LP gas bcuz I'm not a technician. I saw another Rheem pilot video where they talked about a fail safe feature, glass deal with black oil inside it that breaks when there's an issue & causes the pilot to shut down. The guy never said what model he had so not sure if my Rheem has one or not? I think my model is a Rheem classic. Wish the plumber would have installed a different brand bcuz I'm not at all impressed with Rheem & all the videos where customers are having multiple issues with these.
Once again, the University of UA-cam comes through! I used a small wire brush to clean the thermocouple and booyah - hot water!
Brilliant video. I found problem and fixed my water tank according to your troubleshooting guide. Thank you very much. 👍
Glad our video helped!
Thanks for the video, I have a problem that the pilot turns off in some time during the day, I notice when the water comes out cold.how can I fix the problem?
Damn Brother, great video. I wish I had found u earlier. I do alot of maintenance at a veterans home o live at right now and we have been having water issue problems. It clicks the pilot on but heater won't light
Craig, I always enjoy your details videos. What state & city do you work at? Do you have other technicians working for you?
Cape May County NJ. I am only doing the HVACR training now though and not the contractual business, thanks!
Thanks you very much .Today i have fix my hot warter , right now working good.
Glad it helped
Whats the minimum voltage you need for a thermal couple to hold down the solenoid the valve ? I thought I heard you say 3 mV? My experience and it could be for a variety of reasons seems to be 12-9mV or less its not working. 15-30mV seems to be healthy , Thanks!
What a brilliant, useful and efficient video. Thank you so much!
May the Lord Bless you abundantly for helping others. In 5 Min I had the water on. Thanks a Bunch!!
good knowledge, great explanation, simple and easy way to teaching. thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Glad it was helpful!
Due to the gas company injecting Antifreeze into the gas system, a slight sludge can coat the inside of the valve and cause it to stick closed. It is possible to gently pound on the valve repeatedly and that may dis lodge it. This can also happen to limit switches in the A/C circuit due to dirty refrigerant.
Great class teacher, I feel more confident with this knowledge now 👍👍
Awesome to hear, thanks!