No Hot Water

[pter]

1988 b17 BigFoot. No luck in manual startng Atwood G6 heater. Checked gas supply and blew out around pilot etc. Not even a pilotlight.Ideas

[Doug Arthurs]

I will assume this the the original WH and has a pilot not electronic ignition. When you light the pilot does it go out as soon as you let off on the knob or it doesn't light at all?

[Doug Arthurs]

Also check to insure you have gas flowing. Can you light the stove?

[pter]

Yes stove works. Have checked propane tanks all good.At first pilot would light but no ignition on main burner but now not even pilot starts. What is sliding lever above control unit...

[Casita Greg]

Sounds like most likely either a bad or misadjusted thermocouple. I'd also check to make sure that the burner orifice isn't obstructed. If the thermocouple doesn't work (defective) then it needs replacing. If it isn't properly adjusted to where it heats up, it will shut off the gas supply because it is sensing that the pilot isn't lit, (which, if lit, would heat up the thermocouple to keep the gas valve open.) It could possibly be a bad controller board, but chances are most likely, that it's a thermocouple problem. At least, this is where I'd begin troubleshooting, as this is the most common problem when it won't stay lit.

[Doug Arthurs]

Originally Posted by pter

Yes stove works. Have checked propane tanks all good.At first pilot would light but no ignition on main burner but now not even pilot starts. What is sliding lever above control unit...

I am not sure what sliding lever you are referring to. Here is a picture of my original 1989 Bigfoot water heater. No boards all old school.

[GOB]

The sliding lever is for adjusting how hot your water is.

[pter]

Will start with the thermocouple first. How close would you have it to pilot... Thanks for i.d on lever!

[Dan Meyer]

I don't think you have a bad thermocouple, because you can't even get the pilot to light. I'd first check for a critters nest in the line to the pilot light; the line and holes for the pilot are pretty small, and the tiniest of insects or spiders can get in and build a nest.


--Dan Meyer

[Doug Arthurs]

I would have to agree with Dan, the thermocouple is what keeps the pilot on. If it won't light at all remove the tube for the pilot and clean it out then try again.

[WizWid]

Originally Posted by GOB

The sliding lever is for adjusting how hot your water is.

Left for hotter....

[Jann Todd]

Originally Posted by Dan Meyer

I don't think you have a bad thermocouple, because you can't even get the pilot to light. I'd first check for a critters nest in the line to the pilot light; the line and holes for the pilot are pretty small, and the tiniest of insects or spiders can get in and build a nest.


--Dan Meyer

Remember never ever run anything into the holes for the pilot or any other part the propane goes through. Even the smallest of size change can cause a fire. Use alcohol to clean or air only.

[Dan Meyer]

Originally Posted by Jann Todd

Remember never ever run anything into the holes for the pilot or any other part the propane goes through. Even the smallest of size change can cause a fire. Use alcohol to clean or air only.

This is very important, and I should have mentioned this.

Thank you for helping to keep us all safe!


--Dan Meyer

[pter]

Thanks to all of you. Problem was thermocouple. Replaced and problem was solved.