Rheem or AO Smith water heater pilot won't stay lit. Easy DIY fix!!

[@bongga509]

Bro, you are a savior. I changed this thing 4 times already, i just about to install a new one and came across your video, all i did was cut the white wire and removed plastic between the the aluminum piece, put them in that spot tight it up and light it up. Best hijacked advice 👌🏿 🙏🏿👏🏿

[@vc151284]

No way I change like 6 valves this year thinking that they were bad !!! Bro thank you so much

[@MaintenanceManNarratives]

I had changed a few myself 😬

[@vc151284]

Have you deal with a residio valves ? I have problems with those too

[@jimw7043]

I pulled the plastic safety out and added a dimed size piece of 12ga wire to fill the new gap at the thermocoupler connection. Called Rheem and they sent me a new gas valve, thermocoupler, and gasket set at no cost. The very next day it arrived via FEDEX. Great support.

[@MaintenanceManNarratives]

That's great!@

[@yellowstoneminingcrypto]

Do you habe their number? What was the process like?

[@chrisgarber8052]

I know you do your thing in Spanish but I like the way you break things down in your English videos. I like the way you break every situation down. Can you do more videos on this account

[@robertlopez5294]

Your a lifesaver. I bought a Rheem water heater less than a yr ago and had this problem. As soon as I took the plastic piece off it worked. According to Rheem there’s a 2020 malfunction issue in the water heaters made that yr so there sending the new part right away so thanks for the video.

[@MaintenanceManNarratives]

Glad I could help!!

[@edgarpadron1273]

If you dont mind me asking, what exactly did you ask for? I am having some trouble w mine right now but dont know exactly what to ask for. Thank you so much in advance for your help ! Btw I am having the same problem where the pilot light wont stay on and have the same water heater with rheem

[@robertlopez5294]

@@edgarpadron1273 Call the number on your water heater and tell them what it’s doing and they will ask for the serial number and if it’s a malfunction they will send you the part no charge. It’s fairly easy to install

[@stevedunlap2430]

Great tip and video! I was able to get my water heater working again in just a few minutes. Haven’t called Rheem for the replacement part yet. Thank you so much!

[@tonycrabtree3416]

THIS WORKED FOR ME! Muchas gracias!!!! Now I’ll have hot water until I can get it fixed properly. My Rheem is about 10 years old, though.

[@DanielleBrowningRhoads]

Would just like to say thank you for your video! I just bought a house and 2 days after moving in our water heater decided it didn't want to light up anymore. It's a Richmond same exact valve you have in your video. We called the number, but unfortunately our water heater isn't under warranty since we're not who bought it. We purchased a pilot assembly changed then out .. same thing. I come across ur video but instead of taking it out I put a paperclip in touching end of the white wires and now it lights right up no issue and it still goes back to a normal light once heated up to temp .. what exactly is this sensor for ?

[@Qyxz85]

One thing that is glossed over a lot in these videos is that the tip of the thermocoupler (copper wire) must have contact with the base of the orifice. You can tighten the nut but the wire will jiggle around. You can shove some tin foil or the end of a paperclip in there to maintain contact.

[@SaleenaAdams]

Correct about the issue and the connection needs a small piece of metal to connect it all the way.

[@nateflynn9369]

Great tip. Got mine running until part can be replaced!

[@MaintenanceManNarratives]

That's great!!

[@josegallardo5258]

Hi is it dangerous to remove that part what was that for any idea

[@thesios]

I just slipped that sensor out and repositioned the thermocouple and it's working for now. My issue began Christmas night. I noticed that the pilot was out, so i lit it and it stayed lit. Problem fixed, or so I thought, but I still looked for reasons that it might have gone out. I passed it off as a fluke until the next morning; it was out again. Lit it again, and it was good for a while. Around lunch, I checked again: out. That night, out again, and the next morning. Lunch time yesterday, it was out, and it wouldn't stay lit. Did some looking and found these Rheem videos, and I didn't have time to do anything with it until this morning.

[@CheapMan645]

Dude you called it !! It worked as soon as I removed that wire sensor so thank you

[@MaintenanceManNarratives]

Glad I was able to help!

[@RHill79]

I’ve done this temporarily, but like you said, we should be waiting to get your new valve for water heater because if your pilot light goes out, there’s nothing to stop gas from flowing into that tank in your house. Be careful.

[@7jack7]

I came here looking for what to do when you change the thermo and still pilot doesn't stay lit. Turns out I just had to hold down the pilot button for five minutes. I used a small ratchet clamp and the pilot stayed lit. But I love how you explain stuff. Mine did not have that little gizmo. After I clamped down the pilot button I searched and found your video. After I watched it I went back to check if I had that gizmo and I didn't. But when I took the clamp off the pilot stayed lit! Maybe watching your video did it. Anyway I like your video.

[@JDLC40]

Great quick fix while I wait for my replacement part in the Mail

[@MaintenanceManNarratives]

That's great!!

[@abnermarquez814]

You save my life!!!

[@MaintenanceManNarratives]

🤜🤛

[@samersibai1813]

I did exactly the same and it worked 👍 thank you so much The part will arrive in a couple of days But I had to put a nail in between them because they couldn’t touch together it keep fall off

[@papasmurf441]

When you remove that piece, whats the long term effects? Can you keep that off indefinitely or should you replace it?

[@TheFredman08]

I believe it's a temperature safety feature so your water heater doesn't explode. Yes, you should replace it.

[@samersibai1813]

That’s an emergency cut off And it’s not safe to keep it like that .. I did this ( troubleshoot ) until I receive the new part from Rheem because it’s still under warranty

[@larrywaimon2663]

Thanks to You, we have hot water till the "new" valve is delivered. Tech at Rudd/Rheem cautioned that such a fix can cause overheating eventually, so after heating an adequate supply, I turn it off till needed again. Mfg. KNEW that model year, (2020), was defective and did NOT display courtesy nor concern for their customers re: this issue. WE are on the hook beyond the parts replacements for "labor"; NOT fair! A high-end water heater merely 2 years old, should NOT have required this fix and the company, if exuding good business acumen, SHOULD compensate us all for any out-of-pocket labor costs! I suggested as much in a communique but yet to hear back. Perhaps it's time for a class-action suit seeking recovery? At least my wife and I wish to thank YOU for our current Hot showers! larryXcop

[@MaintenanceManNarratives]

Well it could cause an issue but water heaters have relieve valves that should ooen in case the temp sensor in the valve fails. Also old water heater never had that limit switch. I'm glad I was able to help!!

[@DavidWeidner10]

Yep. Worked for me exactly as shown in the video. Thanks!

[@MaintenanceManNarratives]

Thanks for sharing that!! I really appreciate it

[@ThairWHadid]

Thank you for the video and did you changed the white thing and how

[@MaintenanceManNarratives]

I just removed it

[@zietsky750]

The white wire goes bad. Does that mean you have to replace the entire unit?

[@RonitheFoodie]

This fixed mine !!

[@MaintenanceManNarratives]

🤜🤛

[@mbelko1]

Thanks brother you saved my day

[@MaintenanceManNarratives]

Thanks

[@thomascarter9555]

Thanks for the video, it was a money saver

[@ronaldmarkin-ff2ir]

Thanks so much it's exactly what my problem was.

[@beethao5578]

What if u don't replace the thermo wire and just leave it the way u did is it good or bad to leave it like that for a long time

[@gordontellefsen3868]

Thanks so much. We have hot water again, while part us on the way

[@MaintenanceManNarratives]

That's great!!

[@CheckYourPremises]

In my situation I can light the pilot and it stays on. Then I set the desired water temperature. It heats up water but when the water temperature drops( after some time) and it should turn on automatically, but it does not. It appears the pilot light is off. For some reason the pilot light goes off after the first cycle of heating. I am completely puzzled. Do you have any idea why that can be? Thanks!

[@MaintenanceManNarratives]

It could be the thermocouple

[@CheckYourPremises]

@@MaintenanceManNarratives Thank you! I replaced it about 6 months ago. I am just thinking may be it's the position of the thermocouple relative to the pilot. Too short, not enough exposure to the pilot flame.

[@yanelsosa5830]

I have a rheem performance platinum Model XG40T12DU36U0 and the burner assembly is way thicker and wider than most of the ones showed in YT videos, the problem is that is not coming out. I tried different ways to pull it out and it looks too wide. Any recommendations on how to take this out?

[@stevestevenson33]

I tried everything and couldn’t figure it out. This solved the problem! You da man. Thanks so much! Any idea what those wires actually do?

[@samersibai1813]

That’s an emergency cut off

[@fuethao1612]

This video helped a lot! Although can i run my water heater without it, or do you recommend replacing it with a universal one ?

[@kaylabrooke2907]

Tried this and the light will not stay light...? They are sending a new valve but need hot water now.. its been off and kn the last day or so, and now it won't stay lit? Anymore suggestions

[@MaintenanceManNarratives]

Is the thermocouple terminal hitting all the way? I have found some that don't. Hold it tight with your hand first while lighting the pilot and check if that works. Then you can put a piece of paper between the thermocouple and not to push it all the way into the valve terminal

[@kaylabrooke2907]

Removed that insert a d the coupler wouldn't make contact... I put some tin-foil in there and that helped. Also cleaned the flame detector.. so this should hold us until part arrived

[@MaintenanceManNarratives]

@@kaylabrooke2907 that's great!!

[@Fierysaint1]

What exactly is that piece called??

[@lonniethompson758]

Gas valve

[@cweeks19921]

High temperature limit switch

[@matthewkennedy3440]

Thank you. Worked right away.

[@MaintenanceManNarratives]

Awesome!!

[@SaleenaAdams]

Worked for us as well! Thanks

[@willhammond666]

I tried this and unfortunately it didnt work. The pilot instantly lights, but after releasing the pilot button it instantly turns off. Not sure what to do. Also when screwing the thermocoupler all the way in it does touch the connector

[@shellyblanchard5788]

I wonder why they are making these new water heaters more complicated more than really have to be. I wonder what could be the purpose of that piece if it makes the pilot light not light or malfunctions? Maby they are just seeing what works? My water heater has the same sensors. 😒. Back about 2 years ago mine quit working. Mice had gotten in and made a bed and it wouldn't heat at all. So I cleaned it out and it works fine. It wasn't getting enough ventilation.

[@MaintenanceManNarratives]

That will certainly do it, glad you figured it out!

[@fkcohen2]

My pilot wouldn't stay lit, So I removed the ECO sensor and inserted a piece of copper in the gap. Then I reinserted the coupling coil and then low and behold we have action, Pilot stays lit Burners ignited and we have hot water. It even cuts off when hot and self ignites when cold like normal. Thanks

[@MaintenanceManNarratives]

That's great!! Good to know

[@rickhibdon11]

I know the makers claims it's a "safety?" valve, but as you clearly state in your video, satndard universal gas valve do NOT have this feature. It's stupid that you have to replace the entire valve when you could so easily replace the little metal disc. BTW, I did my in-laws heater just last week.

[@NR-fn6uq]

Damn it worked amazing, thank you so much

[@MaintenanceManNarratives]

That's great!! At least you will be able to take hot showers!! Glad I could help.

[@bobgrandi1163]

I tried your theory and this did not work for me. All the guts accept the controller is brand new. After replacing the 3 main lines the pilot light lit stayed on. I turned the knob to my desired temperature and not 20 seconds later the flame went out. I tried lighting the pilot again holding down the button to heat up the coupler for almost a full minute and the pilot will not stay on. I am at a loss. :(

[@ngtflyer]

I tried this with ours, unfortunately it did not work. Heater is 2 years old. I am guessing the gas valve is junk.

[@MaintenanceManNarratives]

Did the end of the thermocouple make good contact with the terminal of the valve? Sometimes you need to put some kind of spacer so the nut tightens the thermocouple end to the valve.

[@ngtflyer]

@@MaintenanceManNarratives I didn't but it's tight in there. They are coming to fix it tomorrow so I'm kind of done with it.

[@longwing]

I've run into the same problem. Does anyone know what this sensor actually does? I've seen two posts in different places that say it's an anti-scalding sensor, but I can't find a solid answer.

[@MaintenanceManNarratives]

It's a temperature limit switch. But they seem to be very faulty and have no way of resetting of changing (unless you change the valve)

[@gabrielhaimeiii1669]

I have a quick question. Removing that piece from the valve is that a temporary solution or can it be removed completely without any issues a week or month from now??

[@BunnaKeo]

No one answer this. Is it a temporary solution? How long it last? Is there any issue If the light stay lit without thermostat?

[@MaintenanceManNarratives]

That is the thermocouple your talking about. The thermocouple is still doing it's job by doing this. The gas valve will still shut off if the thermocouple does not receive flame. This is a high temperature limit switch (what is being eliminated) I would never tell anybody to not replace it. But I can comment that older units didn't have it. Also, in case the valve does not shut off the water heater has a pressure relief valve that would open if the water gets to hot.

[@romeo291]

yup, this worked for me. Any real risk leaving it like that? Considering the universal ones don't even have that sensor?

[@stankfoot223]

Worked for me thank you

[@MaintenanceManNarratives]

Welcome

[@MaintenanceManNarratives]

Welcome

[@nickbunting302]

Thanks! Worked for me!

[@forestboone3647]

They did NOT offer to send me another valve and I only bought it two years ago. They offered to SELL me one only, for $179.00 + shipping.

[@georgeg184]

Rheem customer service was awful. Terrible company to deal with. Disgusting

[@moonpiespotlight4759]

Just put a piece of aluminum foil around that white sensor plug to shunt. Problem solved.

[@MaintenanceManNarratives]

It actually does!!

[@ponchosancho7710]

AO smiths don't come with that POS rheem valve

[@hollyishida5989]

Therms gas water heater with an electric starter went ou

[@johnlee4481]

If one wants to replace the thermal fuse go to the link shown below for proper instructions. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3OpoqJ5f9qij5I&ab_channel=MaintenanceManNarratives

[@cholly890]

That didn’t work.

[@forestboone3647]

Not fo me either. Took that plastic sensor out and replaced the Thermopcouple, both and it's still not working.

[@longwing]

@@forestboone3647 Make sure it's making proper contact. For mine I had to put in a small piece of copper wire to close the gap.

[@rickychavez1473]

Bruh thats a safety switch i dont think you should leave it like that.

[@MaintenanceManNarratives]

Yea, it's definitely better to have it. But if you buy an aftermarket valve, which is what mostly everyone does it will not have it either older gas water heaters never had them either. I do mention that if you call rheem or ao smith they do replace it. Thanks for your comment

[@weavercattlecompany]

No offense but you're disabling a key safety feature known as "Energy Cut-Off" (aka E.C.O.).

[@gr00t-s9]

Thank you so much for this recommendation. It helped me understand the issue. I used the paperclip approach (kzbin.info/www/bejne/lajMYXiPfdVlmcU) to get hot water until I wait to receive the replacement from Rheem!