I began this video a water heater boy and left a water heater man... In all seriousness I woke up on a Sunday morning in a house without hot water and this very thorough video gave me the conceptual and practical breakdown needed to troubleshoot and repair my own water heater. I also learned the mechanics which is very important rather than strictly a set of steps... Thank you for making this, saved me money and time while making me a more informed and knowledgeable home owner.
My compliments to you both and to your videographer for holding a steady, focused camera with great camera angles and closeup shots. Mighty generous of you to offer the pdf files and to share your plumbing experience with us handymen and diy's.
Super helpful. Helped me diagnose a clogged intake screen in just a few minutes. Saved me hundreds of dollars on having to get a new water heater. Reset switch popped out due to too much dust on intake causing poor airflow. Thank you thank you thank you!
I would love to see you do what you’re talking about while you’re explaining what you’re saying. I know this is for service techs. It’s much better to have a functioning hot water heater to teach from. I’m very interested in your knowledge. Thanks so very much for your video.
Thanks Fellas! Your detailed explanation and visuals helped me to solve the mystery of the colder than ice water hot water tank. It's probably been out for couple of days, I didn't notice ( taking cool showers) until it was time to hand wash some dishes. I had No pilot and I couldn't see the spark. I had to move the washer, get down cheek to the floor, and turn off the light in the closet AND the next room (and wait for the sun to go down) to even see IF there were a spark. Turns out, the Pilot could only be seen if your face were plastered to the floor and you were looking UP from the floor through the tiny glass window!!!. Next the Pilot wouldn't stay lit, so I waited a minute and it still didn't stay lit. I pressed the thermal switch and that didn't help. I didn't feel like doing this multiple times, so after hearing about the thermal couple, I decided to hold the pilot for 5 whole minutes while I watched the rest of the video on my phone about testing with the volt meter. by the time the timer went off. I had to shut my eyes tight because of after image, but finally, in the darkness, I saw the faint blue flame still going. The pilot stayed on! I wonder if my thermal couple is getting old to not hold it open for the pilot to go out in the first place. Or after hearing at the end about air flow, my heater is in a smaller closet like room. also my furnace pilot is going in there as well, warming the whole space( I've got the sweaty shirt to prove it!) I wonder if I can just turn the pilot to the furnace off now that it's summer? I don't need heating!!! Anyway, I need to get the moving blankets out of that room and other tools and junk restricting air flow. Occum's razor says that's most likely given the warm days we've had recently. Yay, Now I can go...finish washing the dishes...BOOOOO!
I pulled up this video trying to find the answer to Blocked Exhaust on a commercial unit. The manual pointed me to a unit/fixture on the top of the water heater. It turned out that part was fine, but someone had put paper towels in the pipes along the side of the hotel building I work at. Just adding this comment so should anyone run into a similar issue, they know where they can check. Thanks for the video!
Go to 18:20 before you change your thermocouple/thermopile! (They point out how to reset a safety switch/trip on the electric version that will kill the power when tripped, meaning the piolet won't stay lit when trying to restart it).
Hi, This video cuts off right before you go into detail on troubleshooting the electronic valve. Can you provide a link to that video in the comments if its available?
Pilot light went out and would not stay lit. I replaced thermocouple assembly with factory replacement. Pilot will light and stay lit. Burner will come on and burn for 5-10 minutes then burner and pilot will shut off. There are no restrictions to combustion air. What is going on?
I know this is an older video but just wanted to comment that you can always bench test a thermocouple with a small torch. Many torches have a 'lock' feature than might be easier than using the pilot button locked down. You can wrap the copper around the head of the torch just barely putting it into the flame while you're free to operate the meter/test equipment. Don't use an acetelyne torch though as you'll likely melt the copper/ruin the TC.
Thank you! I had that thing with the pilot light not staying on when relighting it, and was able to correct the situation by resetting the switch you mention. I also washed the filter that wraps around the bottom of the tank. I'm assuming the dirt and dust on it caused the switch to trip? Okay for now. Thanks!
On the mechanical style thermostat with the plastic sleeve, what would cause an issue with it reading the incorrect temperature and allowing the water heater to overheat? Can buildup occur around the shaft causing an incorrect temperature reading? My water heater has been overheating and blowing out the pressure relief valve.
awesome video, thanks for sharing. my pilot keep going off after being lit for awhile, say about 20 minutes. I installed a new gas valve control and a thermocouple. any idea what could it be that is causing my pilot to turn off after a few minutes? Thanks
Good video, thanks, i have no spark on my AO Smith water heater. Does that mean a bad thermocouple, a bad pilot, or something else. Any guidance you can provide to troubleshoot a "no spark" issue is appreciated.
So my 14-year-old A.O. Smith water heater pilot will light, but after nine minutes, it goes out. The thermocouple was replaced in June (10 months ago). It makes one knock, runs a minute longer, then shuts off. I have tepid water. I've been told there is a small leak at the hot water output line. Thoughts? (I'll probably have an answer tomorrow, after the plumber's been and gone, but others may benefit from this.)
Hi - I am trying to replace the thermocouple on an old gas water heater. I am having difficulty removing the burner assembly from the thermostat/gas valve fixture on the outside of the tank. I can't get the bolt on the pilot tube loose. The bolt seems to be a soft metal and now has a bunch of nicks, etc. from me trying to remove it. Questions: 1) Can this be a "left-handed thred screw" situation where you must turn the bolt CLOCKWISE to LOOSEN? 2) Should I be using a FLAT adjustable wrench instead of toothed adjustable wrench? 3) Is there anything that the pros use that would help "grab" the nut better and leave fewer nicks - something like a kitchen jar gripper comes to mind. Thanks so much for any help you can provide!!!
Homeowner here. AO Smith GVR 50 replaced burner and can light pilot and start burner, but wont reach temp and then will not restart burner until I go through steps to re light pilot manually.
Hi guys, I have a 40 gal AO Smith water heater and I cannot get the lug loose to change the diode! I bought a longer one and ,since it is in service, don't want to tug it around a lot trying. Any suggestions would be deeply appreciated.
I have a brand new AO Smith and when it turns on it makes a sound that it best described as a loud tone, a squeal. Eventually as it heats up it will stop but sometimes it does not. I have a large home and the water heater is in the garage and can hear the noise all the way in the farthest back room. Help!! The valve, the burner has been replaced under warranty. Thank you!!
I just installed a new A.O. Smith Water heater. 50 gall. natural gas and the light is flashing like it is normal, once every 3 seconds, but the pilot light is out. does it kick on only when the water needs heated?
Can you make a video on how to restart/reset the Honeywell Controller when it's computer board goes haywire? There are literally hundreds upon hundreds of people having an issue with the defective controller by Honeywell. Our heater was purchased & placed the laundry room; please know our laundry room is pretty big. Even w/washer, dryer, & upright freezer, there is still room for a utility sink.I hope to have one placed in that room one of these days. It was brought here on Monday's Day. It wasn't connected or have soldering wires are in place. Oh, the flue pipe is working as it should; the pilot is sparking but not lighting; hwr we haven't attempted to reset the controller yet. Actually debating on taking it back to exchange for a different water heater that doesn't have the Honeywell controller or going with an electric hot water heater & use the extra $2-$3 hundred to pay an electrician to handle pulling wire from the breaker box to this room so an electric can be used.
Great video so my question is I ignite the pilot and it stays on the burner fires up after a few hours the pilot is out so I would say air flow problem unit is dirty or chimney needs cleaning how that sounds thank you also my unit does not have a thermo switch like it showing on yours with wires on it the unit is GE
I noticed that my pilot light won't stay up, then I replaced the burner assembly kit, it does lit but after the burner shuts off the pilot will shut off as well. Feel really confused now, could it be a thermostat issue?
ao smith hot water heater the pilot comes on and the furnace comes on and stays on only for a few second then turns off , the same thing happen to a new assembly i installed .
I am trying to pull the burner assembly along with the thermocouple so that I can replace the thermocouple but it looks like the door is completely sealed by some sort of adhesive. I took the two screws off each end but that did me no good. This thing is solid. Do you have to use a torch to heat the seal to get the door assembly out of the unit to replace the thermocouple? This is the worst of any hot water heater I have ever worked on. The model # GCV 50201. Any advice would be appreciated.
I have an AO Smith water heater that is approx. 2-3 months old. It is an attic installed unit . After about a month I got called out for no hot water. The pilot was out and I had to reset the safety switch to light it. After a few times I called support and they sent me a regulator. I installed that. Again it started having problems. They said to get a plumber to check it. We did. The plumber recommended replacing the burner assbly. We did. Now I've relit the pilot twice and the resident just called about it being out again. So, now the tank is approx. 3 months old the regulator about a month old and the burner assbly about 2 days old. I cannot keep lighting this thing daily. HELP
I began this video a water heater boy and left a water heater man... In all seriousness I woke up on a Sunday morning in a house without hot water and this very thorough video gave me the conceptual and practical breakdown needed to troubleshoot and repair my own water heater. I also learned the mechanics which is very important rather than strictly a set of steps... Thank you for making this, saved me money and time while making me a more informed and knowledgeable home owner.
I am not a handy man, at all! But these guys just helped me fix my hot water heater for free!!! LET'S GO!!
Well done vid with NO annoying background music or effects!
My compliments to you both and to your videographer for holding a steady, focused camera with great camera angles and closeup shots. Mighty generous of you to offer the pdf files and to share your plumbing experience with us handymen and diy's.
Super helpful. Helped me diagnose a clogged intake screen in just a few minutes. Saved me hundreds of dollars on having to get a new water heater. Reset switch popped out due to too much dust on intake causing poor airflow. Thank you thank you thank you!
I would love to see you do what you’re talking about while you’re explaining what you’re saying. I know this is for service techs. It’s much better to have a functioning hot water heater to teach from. I’m very interested in your knowledge. Thanks so very much for your video.
One of the most informative videos I have ever seen you cover from A-to-Z thanks guys
Thanks Fellas! Your detailed explanation and visuals helped me to solve the mystery of the colder than ice water hot water tank. It's probably been out for couple of days, I didn't notice ( taking cool showers) until it was time to hand wash some dishes.
I had No pilot and I couldn't see the spark. I had to move the washer, get down cheek to the floor, and turn off the light in the closet AND the next room (and wait for the sun to go down) to even see IF there were a spark. Turns out, the Pilot could only be seen if your face were plastered to the floor and you were looking UP from the floor through the tiny glass window!!!.
Next the Pilot wouldn't stay lit, so I waited a minute and it still didn't stay lit. I pressed the thermal switch and that didn't help.
I didn't feel like doing this multiple times, so after hearing about the thermal couple, I decided to hold the pilot for 5 whole minutes while I watched the rest of the video on my phone about testing with the volt meter. by the time the timer went off. I had to shut my eyes tight because of after image, but finally, in the darkness, I saw the faint blue flame still going. The pilot stayed on!
I wonder if my thermal couple is getting old to not hold it open for the pilot to go out in the first place. Or after hearing at the end about air flow, my heater is in a smaller closet like room. also my furnace pilot is going in there as well, warming the whole space( I've got the sweaty shirt to prove it!) I wonder if I can just turn the pilot to the furnace off now that it's summer? I don't need heating!!! Anyway, I need to get the moving blankets out of that room and other tools and junk restricting air flow. Occum's razor says that's most likely given the warm days we've had recently.
Yay, Now I can go...finish washing the dishes...BOOOOO!
thank you guys I Troubleshooted my water heater with this tutorial.
very helpful in understanding the fundamental of gas water heater function....thanks for posting! Excellent!
I just want to say thanks you guys safe me 400 dollars now I know what to do if my water heater goes out again
Excellent explanation. Very simple and very easy to understand. Thank you.
Awesome video guys. Just got my water heater restarted after Ida flood had turned It off.
Fantastic Channel. You guys are great master teachers.Great Great Tutorial
I looked at several Videos B4 yours. I'm glad I watched yours it was the best . It worked out perfect.
I pulled up this video trying to find the answer to Blocked Exhaust on a commercial unit. The manual pointed me to a unit/fixture on the top of the water heater. It turned out that part was fine, but someone had put paper towels in the pipes along the side of the hotel building I work at. Just adding this comment so should anyone run into a similar issue, they know where they can check. Thanks for the video!
+Alex Mammoth Thanks for the tip!
THANK YOU!! This WORKED for my water heater!!
Glad we could help!
this was really good I am not a plummer but I am having trouble with the hot water heater thanks for these videos
GREAT class, thank you. Keep up the great work.
You're very welcome!
Go to 18:20 before you change your thermocouple/thermopile! (They point out how to reset a safety switch/trip on the electric version that will kill the power when tripped, meaning the piolet won't stay lit when trying to restart it).
I have an AO Smith from 1987 and works great. The gas valve is easy to manage.
Many Thanks for sharing the Troubleshooting Gas Water Heaters video. This is very helpful, my new friend
Good video. nice combination of details and background. Couldn't find pdf.
Where is the rest of the video? It Ends just when they are going to talk about the electronic gas valve.
Hi,
This video cuts off right before you go into detail on troubleshooting the electronic valve. Can you provide a link to that video in the comments if its available?
Very good video. Great info. Thank you.
Thanks for the great video! Was able to troubleshoot my water heater perfectly and got it working again!
Pilot light went out and would not stay lit. I replaced thermocouple assembly with factory replacement. Pilot will light and stay lit. Burner will come on and burn for 5-10 minutes then burner and pilot will shut off. There are no restrictions to combustion air. What is going on?
very informative and helpful!
Where's the next video for the Honeywell valve?
Thx guys, lost my pilot light (after cutting off gas supply unknowingly) but was able to get it going again 👍
Followed the steps, video was very helpful. Thank You so much! You know saying “HAPPY WIFE, HAPPY LIFE”.
I know this is an older video but just wanted to comment that you can always bench test a thermocouple with a small torch. Many torches have a 'lock' feature than might be easier than using the pilot button locked down. You can wrap the copper around the head of the torch just barely putting it into the flame while you're free to operate the meter/test equipment. Don't use an acetelyne torch though as you'll likely melt the copper/ruin the TC.
Thank you! I had that thing with the pilot light not staying on when relighting it, and was able to correct the situation by resetting the switch you mention. I also washed the filter that wraps around the bottom of the tank. I'm assuming the dirt and dust on it caused the switch to trip? Okay for now. Thanks!
Wow I followed their instructions and it worked I’m back in business!
This really helped out thanks guys it maybe an old one but the info still apply's
On the mechanical style thermostat with the plastic sleeve, what would cause an issue with it reading the incorrect temperature and allowing the water heater to overheat? Can buildup occur around the shaft causing an incorrect temperature reading?
My water heater has been overheating and blowing out the pressure relief valve.
Is there a link for the pdf on the troubleshoot
Where are the pdf links?
Fantastic video guys! Thank you!
awesome video, thanks for sharing. my pilot keep going off after being lit for awhile, say about 20 minutes. I installed a new gas valve control and a thermocouple. any idea what could it be that is causing my pilot to turn off after a few minutes? Thanks
21:40 ck Pilot
Hold down pilot button
With fire in flame
10 milli volts DC or more copper line to fitting end.
If more less then 10 replace it
Great video, did anyone ever find the handout?
university.hotwater.com/hds/
Excellent detailed info. Thanx
fantastic video. I fix my heater... thanks
Good video, thanks, i have no spark on my AO Smith water heater. Does that mean a bad thermocouple, a bad pilot, or something else. Any guidance you can provide to troubleshoot a "no spark" issue is appreciated.
no its the igniter
Sounds like piezo igniter switch is bad if you push button down it’s not lighting the pilot light.
Awesome video guys very informative!
smooth video thanks. what would you recommend if there's no spark at all on a A.O. Smith Pro Max.
Can you send the pdf link of troubleshooting water heater link? Thanks
Great video!
I just saw this video. I can't find a link for the guide.
Is it still available?
If the little white thermocoupling button does not move when pressed, is it ok to press tap it with something?
How do I access and print the pdf you mention that is so helpful?
can you safely use a universal thermocoupler in a AO smith water heater if the water heater has a in line fuse?
So my 14-year-old A.O. Smith water heater pilot will light, but after nine minutes, it goes out. The thermocouple was replaced in June (10 months ago). It makes one knock, runs a minute longer, then shuts off. I have tepid water. I've been told there is a small leak at the hot water output line. Thoughts? (I'll probably have an answer tomorrow, after the plumber's been and gone, but others may benefit from this.)
How do you perform a call for heat
If the unit is not turning off the gas, the high limit is bad usually right?
Thank you guys so much
great video
Hi - I am trying to replace the thermocouple on an old gas water heater. I am having difficulty removing the burner assembly from the thermostat/gas valve fixture on the outside of the tank. I can't get the bolt on the pilot tube loose. The bolt seems to be a soft metal and now has a bunch of nicks, etc. from me trying to remove it. Questions: 1) Can this be a "left-handed thred screw" situation where you must turn the bolt CLOCKWISE to LOOSEN? 2) Should I be using a FLAT adjustable wrench instead of toothed adjustable wrench? 3) Is there anything that the pros use that would help "grab" the nut better and leave fewer nicks - something like a kitchen jar gripper comes to mind. Thanks so much for any help you can provide!!!
Homeowner here. AO Smith GVR 50 replaced burner and can light pilot and start burner, but wont reach temp and then will not restart burner until I go through steps to re light pilot manually.
Hi guys, I have a 40 gal AO Smith water heater and I cannot get the lug loose to change the diode!
I bought a longer one and ,since it is in service, don't want to tug it around a lot trying.
Any suggestions would be deeply appreciated.
I don't see the troubleshooting guide, where can I download it.
That little door switch is leaking water out of it now what do I do? and it's tripped and won't come in or out.
excellent video, with a lot very important information, very informative, great job!
Where can I get the pdf file to troubleshoot my AO Smith NG Water Heater (GCV-40-100) that isn't heating.
do awe need to take to cover off?
My pilot light is lit but main burner won't light is that from a bad thermocouple ?
I have a Honeywell digital control valve on my water heater, and it is flashing a code 5 which is temp sensor failure. What do I need to replace?
cannot find PDF or chat
How do u purge the gas line? That might be my problem.
Hi,
I have model fgr 40 242 .
No gas comes out from valve for pilot. What's my next step?
13:00 troubleshooting
I can get my pilot to light and burner to go on and run for a week then I start to have problems, so do you think it’s the thermocouple
I have a brand new AO Smith and when it turns on it makes a sound that it best described as a loud tone, a squeal. Eventually as it heats up it will stop but sometimes it does not. I have a large home and the water heater is in the garage and can hear the noise all the way in the farthest back room. Help!! The valve, the burner has been replaced under warranty. Thank you!!
Hello. I replaced the assembly unit in the water heater. The pilot light worked fine for a day. Now I have cold water again. Any suggestions?
Where is next part
I don’t find the PDF in either link listed? Was it removed?
All PDF links are now in the description. Thank you!
My thermocouple was changed, pilot light is working but I still have very little hot water, what do I do
I just installed a new A.O. Smith Water heater. 50 gall. natural gas and the light is flashing like it is normal, once every 3 seconds, but the pilot light is out. does it kick on only when the water needs heated?
THANK YOU
Happy to help!
Can you make a video on how to restart/reset the Honeywell Controller when it's computer board goes haywire? There are literally hundreds upon hundreds of people having an issue with the defective controller by Honeywell. Our heater was purchased & placed the laundry room; please know our laundry room is pretty big. Even w/washer, dryer, & upright freezer, there is still room for a utility sink.I hope to have one placed in that room one of these days. It was brought here on Monday's Day. It wasn't connected or have soldering wires are in place. Oh, the flue pipe is working as it should; the pilot is sparking but not lighting; hwr we haven't attempted to reset the controller yet. Actually debating on taking it back to exchange for a different water heater that doesn't have the Honeywell controller or going with an electric hot water heater & use the extra $2-$3 hundred to pay an electrician to handle pulling wire from the breaker box to this room so an electric can be used.
Great video so my question is I ignite the pilot and it stays on the burner fires up after a few hours the pilot is out so I would say air flow problem unit is dirty or chimney needs cleaning how that sounds thank you also my unit does not have a thermo switch like it showing on yours with wires on it the unit is GE
Do the piolet should be alway on a electric version.an how long.my turn off fast an there nothing on
I noticed that my pilot light won't stay up, then I replaced the burner assembly kit, it does lit but after the burner shuts off the pilot will shut off as well. Feel really confused now, could it be a thermostat issue?
ao smith hot water heater the pilot comes on and the furnace comes on and stays on only for a few second then turns off , the same thing happen to a new assembly i installed .
Adel Sayegh some have a door food under the burner it burns out and closes the intake door so the flame blows out
Adel Sayegh what caused this?
Confused
I'm not sure
Me,too
my status light flashes blue. any help out there?
Did i miss how to take care of status code 7
I am trying to pull the burner assembly along with the thermocouple so that I can replace the thermocouple but it looks like the door is completely sealed by some sort of adhesive. I took the two screws off each end but that did me no good. This thing is solid. Do you have to use a torch to heat the seal to get the door assembly out of the unit to replace the thermocouple? This is the worst of any hot water heater I have ever worked on. The model # GCV 50201. Any advice would be appreciated.
I can't push my reset button in to restart, it seems to be stuck . Is there a replacement reset button that I can bye ?
thanks for that tip. I have the same issue and will check the entire pipe to see if it is being blocked.....
What if the pilot is fine but you still don’t have hot water to the house?
I have an AO Smith water heater that is approx. 2-3 months old. It is an attic installed unit . After about a month I got called out for no hot water. The pilot was out and I had to reset the safety switch to light it. After a few times I called support and they sent me a regulator. I installed that. Again it started having problems. They said to get a plumber to check it. We did. The plumber recommended replacing the burner assbly. We did. Now I've relit the pilot twice and the resident just called about it being out again. So, now the tank is approx. 3 months old the regulator about a month old and the burner assbly about 2 days old. I cannot keep lighting this thing daily. HELP
My water heater sits on a wood stand pilot won’t stay on I changed the thermo couple and still won’t stay lit a GE ultra low mfg, in 2012 any ideas
thanks
You're welcome!
I can lit the pilot,stays on,water heats up and the main burner shuts off withe the pilot
I have to start again light the pilot?
why my tankless gas water heater is making noises when I turn it on?
pilot will not hold, but there is no reset switch... What now?
I thought I knew something about this, but, after watching this video, I'm more confused than ever...
my water heater when out and the light is flashing 7 times and I'm trying to figure out how can I get my hot water heater back on