Hot Water Heater Problem

[GS913]

I just returned from a week of cold showers because I could not get the hot water heater in my coleman timberlake to work.  The heater and stove worked but when I switched from the pilot to the on position of the water heater, the pilot would go out.  Does anyone have any troubleshooting tips that I can try?

Thanks!!

[wavery]

I just returned from a week of cold showers because I could not get the hot water heater in my coleman timberlake to work.  The heater and stove worked but when I switched from the pilot to the on position of the water heater, the pilot would go out.  Does anyone have any troubleshooting tips that I can try?

Thanks!!

After the pilot light ignites, you should leave the knob depressed up to 60 seconds (mine will stay on after 25 seconds).

If it does not stay on there is a problem with the thermocouple. Sometimes you can get away with sanding or scraping the carbon off of the thermocouple bulb (just above the pilot light). If that doesn't work, it may need to be replaced.

[AustinBoston]

Another thing is to wait about 5 minutes after lighting the pilot before turning on the main burner.  In a pinch, I've heard (but never tried) that the pilot alone will heat the tank in a couple of hours.

Austin