My house is cursed. Can't get the gas hot water pilot light to light.

It usually means that the whole pilot light assembly needs to be replaced, half hour job for somebody with the tools and experience. I don't usually say this but "Call a Plumber"
I hate myself sometimes

Two possible reasons.
No gas gets to the little jet.
The bimetal switch does not work or is bent out of the way of the flame.
Cleaning the pilot jet and air intake regulator and resetting the metal plate will solve it.
Oh ... third reason, the bypass push button thingy does not open the gas and does not bypass the switch ... or words to that effect

If your house is cursed however, none of this will work and you need to call an exorcist. Best are the one from Jamaica.

Pilot either dirty or thermo-couple stuffed. What make and model Barry?

Wow! Really appreciate the assistance guys!

Rheem 3IN135
Manufactured 11/11/99 LOL!



Tried a number of plumbers.
Holiday loading. Freakin' heck!

Definitely cursed. With the hail.
Found the door to it opened at the perfect angle to ricochet all the golf ball sized hail inwards.

Lighting instructions says 10 seconds.
I tried 30 before loosing my nerve.

Tried the gas lighter as well.
No luck.

OK got it burning now.
Thanks to all.

Took a small sweeper and and just brushed everything.
Held the pilot button down for a full one minute.
And tried to lite with a handheld gas lighter.
Just moved it around a lot.
Absolutely no sign of pilot being lit.
Look after look. Photograph after photograph.
Nothing.

And risked a normal test by turning the dial to warmer.
Wasn't expecting anything.

And sounded like backdraft rolling thunder building up.

Really loud (in comparison to being off) gas and flame sounds.
Had another look and could hardly see the burner flaming.

I don't understand why it has to be such a drama.
And why there isn't a window you can look thru to see the pilot light on or not.

Doesn't help I was kneeling on volcano rocks. grrrr
Quick knee protectors and a pine board to lean my elbow on.

Returned from poor puppy can't carry that big stick - to hero status!

Thanks again gents!
Have a great holiday!

Nice one Barry, you'll find the date of manufacture is 1994, it's had a good and long life. Your third pic shows a bit of moisture around the burner area, I wouldn't expect it to last much longer.

25 years old.

How do I know when it has failed?
i.e. when I can't get it to light?
Or are we suggesting it should be replaced now?

You will know when it's completely stuffed when someone gets in the shower and has no hot water and dad goes out to re-light the unit and there'll be quantities of water leaking out the front. It will be on a Friday lunchtime just before a long weekend, maybe on the Thursday before Easter and you'll end up ringing one of those dodgy fridge magnet plumbers and will quote you 4 times the price of a regular licenced plumber, should I go on????

Thanks gents.

We plan on down sizing in two to five years.
So the lady is concerned about spending money on a house we won't be living in.

I've been wanting to invest in solar since home sustainability was a thing.
But a 3k investment will take 3 years to recoup.

Storage is probably what we will go with.
As the boss has to make all the financial decisions.
But, as she says, not until we have to.

Originally Posted by joynz

Or why not go for an instantaneous unit.

Can not recommend...ours is not great though we realise now it is because the fancy controller that actually makes them function properly is always optional. And the previous owner didn't avail themselves of it.

The fact we are also use water supplied either via gravity or a pressure pump makes this lack even worse...

Some installations are not uncommon where 50mm copper is required. Talking nat gas here where there may be a ducted heater drawing over 200mjs, con flow 200mjs, cooking 30mjs then then throw in a 260mj spa or pool heater.

Thanks to all for help.

OK I've had to relight the pilot 4 out of the last 7 days and its gone out again.

This time I waited for the lady to find cold water in her shower.

She's asked me go sort it out properly.

Looking for suggestions on the best REPLACEMENT solution.

So far I think it's like for like for the best cost.

Anyone know of any good deals with good installers, etc?


Anyone?

Thanks in advance.

P.M. sent.

Originally Posted by joynz

Or why not go for an instantaneous unit.

What should I consider if researching an instantaneous unit?

Ok thanks heaps.

Special big thanks to Plum.

Thanks to all who replied.

-----------

Sourced a replacement at 11 and was taking a hot shower by 2pm.
Nice!

AQUAMAX G270SS-NG 5 STAR EXTERNAL GAS HOT WATER HEATER
WITH STAINLESS STEEL TANK
130 LITRES
12 YEAR CYLINDER WARRANTY

Really happy with the service.
Quick 3 hour turn around.
Installed new and removed old heater.
Fully Licensed Plumber/Gasfitter.

Didn't realize how stressful it was anticipating having to re-light the burner.