This is an easy fix. I do several a week that have the same problem. First make sure there is nothing blocking the vent pipe or cap. If all is clear remove the black screen at the bottom of the heater and clean under running water. The air intake screen can be seen here as number 11. A very small amount of dirt can cause your problem.
http://www.hotwater.com/lit/partslists/PSD1208.pdf
The best way to clean behind this screen is with a air compressor. Turn the heater off before cleaning this area. Blow out all the dirt, lint, dust with the compressor paying special attention to the flame arrestor. Not shown in the breakdown it is the porous base in color circular thing in the middle of the heater. You will be blowing off the bottom of this. If you don't have a compressor then a feather duster will work.
Now for understanding why this has to be kept clean. On part number 5 there is a flame switch soldered into the thermocouple. Should the burner compartment over heat the flame switch will open and turn off the pilot. So when you start your water heater back up your burner compartment starts to heat up and after awhile your pilot shuts off. Sometimes you have to replace part number 5 if this condition has been going on for a while but most of the time cleaning solves the problems. If your heater is next to your dryer of a dirt field then you will need to keep this cleaned every three months.Last edited on Sun May 11th, 2008 12:23 am by Ej
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