Gervan Williams
New Member
I have a Bradford White hot water heater model MITW50L6CX12, propane gas type. This is an automatic igniter/flame sensor combo with a SV9501 Honeywell valve. A few weeks ago the pilot heat started going out after the heating cycle completes. Situation: It started out where the burner flame was low and was not heating the water. I removed the burner plate and blew out any dust and rust with an air can. I also vacuumed out under the tank. Incredibly, the condition was pretty good under the tank...little to no rusts for a 10-year old system. I replaced everything and everything runs fine. Pilot flame lights, and the burner lights up and runs for however long needed to heat the tank. Once the cycle completes and the burner shuts off, the pilot flame also shuts off. When this happens I turn off the gas and unplug the unit to prevent gas from flowing. After 15min to 1 hour I can plug it back in, turn on the gas and it starts up again and runs. Again, the unit would shut down once the cycle completes, and the pilot flame is out. I ordered a new ignitor/sensor combo (239-40918-00), thinking it was the flame sensor, but this did not solve the problem. I've had Horizon Services come out and check and according to them the valve is OK, and they cannot determine the problem. But they suggest possibly changing the pressure switch, and question mark around the valve. To make clear, the system runs great, except the pilot flame goes out at the end of every cycle. Restarting in works fine after the reset period ends. I need some advice about this. One thing I noticed is that the pilot flame is very strong, and even though I tried adjusting it with the screw, it does not change. I think this is because it is all automatic. I figure if I can lower the pilot flame (flow pressure) this might allow the flame to remain on when the main burner shuts off. Please provide any advice. Thanks.