Protherm Pilot Flame Holding Fault

Water heater pilot (on older Protherm models) will not stay lit

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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

Dirty pilot injector, Faulty thermocouple, Weak pilot flame due to low gas pressure, Faulty pilot safety valve

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Turn off gas before working on the pilot assembly. Ensure the area is well ventilated.

  • Clean pilot: Remove the pilot burner and clean the injector and flame ports with compressed air or a soft brush.
  • Check thermocouple: Ensure the thermocouple tip is correctly positioned in the pilot flame. Replace if the flame is good but the pilot will not hold.
  • Gas pressure check: Have a technician verify inlet gas pressure.
  • Replace pilot valve: If the thermocouple is good but the valve does not stay open, replace the pilot safety valve.

Warning: Pilot systems involve continuous gas flow; only trained gas technicians should adjust or replace these components.

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Repair Difficulty

Hard 4/5

Required Part

Thermocouple / Pilot Assembly
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