How to Replace a Water Heater Thermocouple or Flame Sensor

Thermocouple held in front of water heater

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 30 mins - 1 hr
  • Total Time: 30 mins - 1 hr
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
  • Estimated Cost: $10 to $30

A thermocouple or flame sensor is a device used to control gas flow in gas water heaters. On older heaters with standing pilot lights, the device is typically called a thermocouple, while on newer units with electronic ignition, the same (or virtually the same) device is called a flame sensor. For our purposes, we'll refer to both devices as the thermocouple.

The thermocouple is part of the pilot burner assembly and connects to the gas control valve on the outside of the water heater. It is a simple device that converts the heat from a burning flame into a small electrical current, allowing it to work as a switch to control the flow of gas from the gas supply valve. In simple terms, when the thermocouple does not sense flame, it prevents the gas valve from delivering gas to the burner. It is, therefore, a key safety element of your water heater system.

Often, a bad thermocouple is why a water heater pilot does not ignite or the burner does not stay lit.

Thermocouple or Flame Sensor?

The type of ignition system you have in your water heater will determine how you replace the thermocouple. With both types of ignition—standing pilot or electronic—the thermocouple is part of the burner assembly. With a standing pilot, there is just a pilot and thermocouple attached to the burner assembly. With an electronic ignition, there is both the pilot and thermocouple, as well as an electronic igniter attached to the burner assembly.

Before You Begin

Disconnecting the connections to the gas control valve is the first step when servicing either an electronic ignition or a standing-pilot water heater. Turn the gas control valve on the water heater to the OFF position. Close the shutoff valve on the gas supply piping to the water heater.

Warning

Any kind of work on water heaters and other gas appliances is best left to professionals if you are not experienced. Do not attempt this project unless you have extensive experience working with gas appliances and all the skills necessary to complete the task safely and correctly.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Adjustable wrench or open-end wrench
  • Screwdrivers
  • Utility knife (if needed)

Materials

  • Water-heater manifold replacement gasket (if needed)
  • New thermocouple (if needed)
  • Dish detergent and water mixture

Instructions

Materials and tools to replace a water heater thermocouple

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

How to Replace the Thermocouple on an Electronic Ignition Water Heater

  1. Remove the Burner Assembly Manifold Cover

    The combustion chamber of water heaters with electronic ignition is found behind a cover that is sealed with a gasket. To access the combustion chamber, you must remove the burner assembly manifold cover, which protects the chamber holding the burner supply tube, burner, electronic ignition, pilot, and thermocouple.

    Remove the fasteners securing the burner assembly manifold cover plate. Depending on the brand and model of water heater you have, the panel may be secured by nuts, screws, or specialty tamper-resistant fasteners such as #20 Torx-head screws.

    Manifold cover removed from burner assembly on bottom of water heater

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  2. Remove the Burner Assembly

    Grab the burner supply tube and push down slightly to free the manifold, pilot tube, and thermocouple connections.

    Gently remove the manifold/burner assembly from the burner combustion compartment. Take care not to damage the internal components. If the burner does not move easily, check around the base—there may be additional screws holding it down.

    Burner supply pulled from bottom water heater's combustion compartment

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  3. Remove the Cover Plate Gasket

    Carefully remove the old gasket from around the manifold cover plate if it is in good condition and you would like to reuse it. Otherwise, remove the gasket and plan to buy a replacement.

    Clean off the metal surfaces between the cover plate and the water heater.

    Gasket removed from back of metal cover plate

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  4. Remove the Thermocouple

    Slowly and firmly pull and twist the old thermocouple from its mounting bracket. It should come out easily if you use firm pressure. Make sure you do not bend or deform the connection between the pilot and the thermocouple bracket.

    Remove the old thermocouple completely by pulling it through the rubber grommet seal from inside to outside, or through the opening in the burner assembly manifold cover. You can cut the old thermocouple to remove it, if needed.

    Tip

    Take the old thermocouple to the hardware, home improvement, or plumbing supply store to buy an exact replacement. Also buy a new gasket for the manifold cover plate, if you are replacing the old one. 

    Old thermocouple removed from mounting bracket

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  5. Install a New Thermocouple

    Insert the new thermocouple from the outside through the grommet or opening in the burner assembly manifold cover. Insert the thermocouple into its mounting bracket until it is fully seated or clicks into place.

    Position the thermocouple tip so that the pilot flame will envelop the top 3/8 to 1/2 inch of the thermocouple tip.

    New thermocouple inserted into mounting bracket

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  6. Reinstall the Burner Unit

    Place the burner in the combustion chamber and properly seat the unit.

    Install a new burner manifold cover gasket, or reinstall the old one if it is in good condition. Reinstall the cover assembly. Do not over-tighten the screws or fasteners.

    Finally, reconnect the gas control valve (see below).

    Burner unit tightened into combustion compartment with screwdriver

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

How to Replace the Thermocouple on a Standing-Pilot Water Heater

  1. Remove the Burner Assembly

    Once the pilot supply tube, burner supply tube, and thermocouple are disconnected from the gas control valve (see above), simply lift and remove the burner assembly from the bottom of the water heater.

    Burner assembly removed from bottom of water heater

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  2. Remove the Thermocouple

    Slowly and firmly pull and twist the old thermocouple from the thermocouple bracket. It should come out easily if you use firm pressure. Be careful not to deform any of the parts.

    Old thermocouple pulled out from mounting bracket

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  3. Install a New Thermocouple

    Insert the new thermocouple into the bracket from which you removed it until it is fully seated or clicks into place. Position the thermocouple tip so that the pilot flame will envelop the top 3/8 to 1/2 inch of the thermocouple tip.

    New thermocouple held in front of bottom of stand-in pilot water heater

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  4. Reinstall the Burner Unit

    Reinsert the burner in the combustion chamber and properly seat the unit. Reconnect the gas control valve (see below).

    Burner unit inserted back into combustion chamber of stand-in pilot water heater

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

How to Reconnect the Gas Control Valve

For both electronic-ignition and standing-pilot water heaters: Once the new thermocouple is installed, reconnect the pilot, burner, and thermocouple (and electronic igniter for an electronic-ignition unit) to the gas control valve.

  1. Reattach the Gas Tubes

    Reconnect the burner supply tube, pilot supply tube, and thermocouple to the gas control valve. The mounting nut on the thermocouple should be no more than 1/4 turn beyond hand-tight. On electronic-ignition units, also reconnect the Piezo igniter.

    Thermocouple supply tube reconnected to gas control valve

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  2. Turn On the Gas

    Open the shutoff valve on the gas supply piping. Turn the gas control valve to the ON position. For standing-pilot units, relight the pilot, following the manufacturer's instructions, before setting the valve to ON. Set the water heater thermostat to the desired temperature.

    Shutoff valve turned on from gas supply pipe

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  3. Test the Water Heater

    Check the main supply tube and pilot supply tube at the gas control valve for gas leaks by using a soap-and-water solution. Coat the fittings with soapy water and look for bubbles that indicate a leak. If a leak is found, tighten all gas connections and retest them with soapy water until no leaks are detected.

    Soap and water solution caught in blue container while testing water heater

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris