To be outsmarted by a pilot light? Help!

[bloodybloodypilotlight]

It is currently the bane of my existence and so far the only person who has managed to light it is the plumber who came to fix the hot water… which isn’t even powered by the boiler

I have attempted multiple times to relight it (we were advised by eon not to leave it on when we didn’t need it as gas is so expensive) and I am sure that I am doing things the exact way he did. It’s one of the very old fashioned ones where you press an ignition switch repeatedly while holding down the button for the gas and it supposedly springs into life.

Does anyone have any magical tips for lighting such things (I can attach a picture but I don’t think it will help) before I swallow my pride and call a plumber out just to light the pilot light?

I possibly have the answer as I had the same problem (old boiler owner here) and the boiler guy discovered the pilot assembly was clogged so hardly any gas was getting through.

He took it out of the boiler, blew air through it and cleared it, put it back in place and it lit first time. You can buy a new one but a competent boiler person should easily be able to fix it in a few minutes.

Remember not to do any tinkering yourself with the actual boiler!

Leave it to your lettings agent to sort it out.

This is how I used to put the pilot light on for our old boiler . Turn the dial to the wee spark and keep the dial pressed in press ignite . If the flame lights keep the dial pressed in for a few seconds before turning to the flame picture. Don't keep on trying as you will break the ignition I did this . If no joy get the letting agent to sort it .

Personally I'd be fine with human error as long as it wasn't an expensive pattern.

Yes, watch very closely what the plumber does, so, if there is nothing wrong, you can do it yourself next time!

we had this over Christmas last year - the pilot light on our ancient boiler wouldn't stay lit. We needed a new thermocouple (think that's right), and it was fine after that - think it had basically burnt out it was so old. He did say never to turn off the pilot though!

Oh and never try and light it continuously - leave it in between!