HELP PLEASE! Pilot light on boiler won't stay on...

beadysam

Please can anyone help. The pilot light on the boiler went out (we had to turn the electric off and we think thats why) and now we can't get it to stay lit. We have followed the instructions to the letter and the pilot light will light but as soon as we let go of the button (the instructions say 15 secs but we've tried much longer and shorter) the light goes out! We have been decorating today and now have no hot water for showers so we are desperate.... :eek:
Please help
SAM xx

beadysam

BUMP!

SAM xx

ManAtHome

Not much use for tonight I'm afraid, but...

If it's an old boiler, likely to be the thermocouple (brass coloured rod just next to the pilot light flame with copper pipe running back to the control unit). If so, not a big job to replace - the part is around a fiver (Wickes), should be around 1/2 hours job.

With a more modern system (pronanly not if it has a permanent pilot light), things get more complex - could be flue fan, electronics, or sensors.

Paulina_Fortune

Sorry, sounds like you need an engineer. Have you tried turning the electric off again and then putting it back on again, as that seems to be what started it?

chrisw

Yes, probably thermocouple. I got a universal one from B&Q for around a fiver and it wasn't difficult to fit - just a nut at either end of the tube.

beadysam

Okay guys! Thanks for the replies. We'll try the thermocouple and take it from there. The electric has been off and on again but it hasn't made a difference. Cold showers for us tonight :eek: ...
Thanks again
SAM xx

robowen

Let's assume the thermocouple is ok for a moment.

When you push the button in for 15 secs...this is a guidline only.
It can take longer for the thermocouple to work correctly. If it's been off a while, it'll take longer.

If you have pushed it in for 15 secs only and it has not worked, I suspect you have tried again immediately and again had no luck.
It won't work straight away. After a failed attempt you must leave it for about 2 mins for the valve to shut off completely before you try it again.

Could it be that you have not left it for 2 mins before trying again ?, and could it be you've not left the button in long enough ?

Try again, and if no luck....get a new thermocouple as previously posted !!

rob