Boiler's Pilot Light Keeps Turning off

thermocouple has to glow red to produce 700mv signal.

ellenlourie

in Boiler Repair 12 years and 5 months ago

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radgirl | 12 years and 5 months ago

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Boiler was running fine, but in the past 2 days the pilot light keeps going off.  Which of course means the heat turns off, too.  Everytime we relight it, it goes off.  The boiler was in in good condition, did not seem to have any issues previously.  We just bought the house and the inspection did not have any moajor call-outs about the boiler.  Any suggestions what the problem might be?  Also any recommendations of a fair priced plumber who can fix this issue?

eman134 | 12 years and 5 months ago

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replace the thermocouple…the sensor that tells the boiler that the pilot is lit…if you do not know how, contact me at my info on my profile to take care of it

windsorknot | 12 years and 5 months ago

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In my case, I replaced the thermocouple, and I still had the issue.  It turned out that the tip of the thermocouple was not in or near the flame.  I had to bend the bracket that was holding the thermocouple so that it was nearer to the flame.

deano | 12 years and 5 months ago

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Had something similar – in my case, turned out that the nutted terminal of the thermocouple wire was loosening over time.  I guessed vibrations causing intermittent contact and therefore an unreliable pilot.  Tightened it down with pliers and have been good since.