Gas fireplace pilot light issue

[Lanny Freng]

Gas fireplace. Gas supply is on, tried to light the unit. Pilot light would come on when depressed and ignited, held in button for a minute, then nothing it went out when released... tried lighting and holding on for 5 minutes... nothing went out again.

Any ideas as to what may be causing this? Does the main gas "on" setting have a safety device that shuts it off if pilot flame is lost? Pilot switch/valve defective? Could there be air in the line that is not being purged by such a small amount of gas flow that the pilot is using and then when the valve is turned and the air "blows" out the flame?

Any thoughts would be appreciated...

[Michael Thomas]

Most likely, a defective or misaligned thermocouple:

Howstuffworks "How Pilot Lights Work" (http://home.howstuffworks.com/pilot-light.htm),

but other problems can cause this as well.

If you followed the instructions, and the pilot did not remain lit, you have done your job - just report what you observed, recommend repair by a qualified person, and move on.

[Rick Cantrell]

Michael is correct.

[Rick Hurst]

Gas line could also have some air in the line. Sometimes it may take several attempts before the pilot becomes lit.

Some inspectors refuse to light pilots and that is their option.

rick

[Lanny Freng]

this is a friends fireplace. I inspected it when he purchased it, and yeah I dont light gas appliances if they are off. Who knows why they are turned off? I dont want to be responsible for a blown up house!

[Richard Rushing]

thermocouple issue...

It's either defective or, as Rick stated, the gas may have been off for an extended peorid of time and now the lines need bleeding off to get the air out. Either way, it's the job of a plumber to fix.

rr