Pilot light keeps going out

**Russ** · 25-03-2006, 21:00

Anyone know what could be causing my pilot light to go out about 10 seconds after I light it?

monkey2468 · 25-03-2006, 21:01

thermo couple is knackered

**Russ** · 25-03-2006, 21:02

Eh?

yesman · 25-03-2006, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ D

Anyone know what could be causing my pilot light to go out about 10 seconds after I light it?

On your boiler ?

If so, you probably need a new thermo-coupler

Edit: beaten to it by monkey

**Maggy J** · 25-03-2006, 21:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ D

Anyone know what could be causing my pilot light to go out about 10 seconds after I light it?

errr....the pilot light to what?

Wind? Lack of gas or low gas level?The whatever is defunct?

**Russ** · 25-03-2006, 21:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by yesman

On your boiler ?

If so, you probably need a new thermo-coupler

How much do these usually cost? Is it an idiot-safe job or will I need a plumber for it?

Chris W · 25-03-2006, 21:03

same thing happened to one of our ovens at work...

was indeed the thermo-coupler... cost ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£600 to fix

home boiler will be a lot cheper though! (thankfully!)

Scrubbs · 25-03-2006, 21:07

when the pilot light is lit it should hit a small piece of meteal that looks like very thin copper pipe, that is the thermocouple. You might see a similair one on a gas hob,
It tells the gas supply there is a flame ........no flame .....no gas

yesman · 25-03-2006, 21:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ D

How much do these usually cost? Is it an idiot-safe job or will I need a plumber for it?

Dunno Russ, sorry, I always get my plumber to change mine, but I don't think it is that difficult, or expensive

have a google

TheBlueRaja · 25-03-2006, 21:08

I thought this was going to be another Rikki Fulton joke. (Probably only a few Scots will know what im on about there).

**Russ** · 25-03-2006, 21:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrubbs

when the pilot light is lit it should hit a small piece of meteal that looks like very thin copper pipe, that is the thermocouple. You might see a similair one on a gas hob,
It tells the gas supply there is a flame ........no flame .....no gas

Cheers for that, but surely if it was that then the pilot light wouldn't light at all?

Scrubbs · 25-03-2006, 21:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBlueRaja

I thought this was going to be another Rikki Fulton joke. (Probably only a few Scots will know what im on about there).

AAyy MORE STEAM MACPHAIL

monkey2468 · 25-03-2006, 21:12

If its easy to get to, then its a piece if wire connected to a piece of metal that will be held in somehow. Just a case of swapping it for the correct replacment. Cost, dunno

---------- Post added at 21:12 ---------- Previous post was at 21:10 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ D

Cheers for that, but surely if it was that then the pilot light wouldn't light at all?

it may not be completely knackered. I think the flame creates some sort of electrical charge. (don't quote me as I may have dreamt that!!

)

edit: thay are elctrical.. http://www.picotech.com/applications/thermocouple.html

Scrubbs · 25-03-2006, 21:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ D

Cheers for that, but surely if it was that then the pilot light wouldn't light at all?

It will still light otherwise how would it get hot ? there is a timer involved

Gas comes, on pilot light lights, t/c heats up, gas stays on.

Where is it? boiler? fire? hob? they've( is that a real word?

) all got them
they can be expensive and a bu***r to fit or they can be quite cheap and simple. One bracket and 2 wires

**Russ** · 25-03-2006, 21:15

It's in my boiler. At the moment I have no heat (other than the gas heater in my front room) but I do seem to have hot water.