pilot light on water heater

[kthomson]

We have 1974 32' 'Land Yacht.
The pilot light will not stay on the Bowen Water Heater, Atwood Model G110b.
We light it and turn the knob and the heater starts and heats up the water but when it's cycle is complete the pilot won't stay.
Any suggestions as to what I can do to fix it. I'm completely competant to do any repairs I was hoping for an easy solution before I start removing components like the pilot itself.
Could it just be a carboned up screen or something that easy?
Thanks

[overlander64]

There are a number of potential causes of a pilot light on the water heater not staying lit.

If you are noticing any sooting around the water heater vent, it is possible that a mud dauber or spider has built its nest in the air tube for your heater - - removing this device (it is held on with one to three set screws depending upon the water heater model) and cleaning with a soft bristle bottle brush often solves this issue quickly.

If the air intake adjustment is too much or too little, this can be a problem - - on my Atwood, it was a cage like device that could be rotated once a set screw was released to increase or decrease the combustion air intake.

I have also found that it simply is a function of the prevailing wind when parked at certain sites that results in the pilot being blown out as soon as the burner kicks-off when temperature set has been met.

I am sure that there are other causes, but these three are ones that I have encountered.

Kevin

[rochsmama]

I had basically the same problem. Changing the thermocoupler and pilot light setup fixed the problem. I have had some very strong winds since and have had no problems. For a quick temp fix, my water heater had an aluminum pie plate inside the water heater compartment sheilding the pilot light from wind... just a very temp fix IMO