FV Pilot Assembly, 200° - Natural, 100109286

First use tools to loosen burner. Lift burner up off the bracket inside tank. Shake out and wipe off burner. Pull out all the rust in the tank with your hands. Vacuum between the plates on the bottom. Vacuum in front of the bracket. This is the spark arrester, a 6 inch diameter piece of solar screen on the bottom of the tank to let air in. The rust from the tank blocks the air , then the thermocoup heats up and the pilot flame goes out. It gets progressively worse where it only stays lit for 30 seconds and then doesn't light at all. My arm was sore all winter from this. This has happened 3 times, so far. Now that I'm a pro, I will clean out the rust early on, so maybe the pilot assembly will last a little longer. Most plumbers will say that you need a new tank so they can make more money. AO Smith also shortened my warranty date. I'm glad I found Pex, so I didn't have to buy the part from [*] . This is my way of getting even, by telling everyone. This part has to be installed on the burner. Only 5 screws. The tricky part is getting the wire disconnected. You have to press on the orange rubber.

This assembly worked for two months and now I'm back where I started, pilot won't stay lit!!! Don't use this item.