John Wood
Pilot Gas Supply / FVIR Air Intake Restriction
John Wood FVIR (Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant) gas water heater pilot will not light at all; no flame at pilot
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Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
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Possible Causes
Clogged air intake screen on FVIR base, Tripped FVIR device, Blocked pilot tube or orifice, Gas control valve internal pilot circuit failure
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: Turn gas control to OFF and close the manual gas shutoff valve before cleaning or disassembly.
- 1. Clean air intake screen: At the base of the heater, locate the FVIR air intake screen. Vacuum dust and lint thoroughly. A clogged screen can starve the pilot of air.
- 2. Inspect pilot tubing: Remove the pilot tube from the gas control and burner assembly. Blow compressed air through the tube to clear any blockage.
- 3. Check for FVIR trip: Some John Wood FVIR models have a one-time thermal device that trips if flammable vapors ignite. If tripped, the entire gas control and burner assembly may need replacement.
- 4. Gas control pilot port: If gas does not flow from the pilot outlet with the control in PILOT and depressed, the internal pilot circuit may have failed. Replace the gas control valve.
- 5. Relight: After cleaning and any part replacement, follow the lighting instructions carefully to relight the pilot.
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Repair Difficulty
Medium
3/5
Required Part
Pilot Assembly
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