Is a boiler without spark striker too old to use? (hot water heater, plumber)

[RobertFisher]

I have a boiler that is giving me problem. The pilot would not light up. In attempting to light it with a long-neck lighter, I noticed that this boiler does not have a button to strike a spark. Is this type of boiler too old to use?

I can't even see where my lighting tip should be pointing at, because the hole is all the way on the dirty floor, and it's like a black hole inside the gate.....

[djmilf]

Boiler? A boiler is used for steam heat. That looks like a hot water heater. The front knob allows you to set the temperature, the top knob/button allows you to start/re-light it (note that there appears to be a 'Push' caption on the top knob).

As for where to light it, there appears to be a removable shield at the bottom. My hunch is that the pilot is behind that.

[WRM20]

If this is your first time trying to light one of these, you might consider getting a plumber out to check out the entire water heater.

The pilot will behind the removable piece at the bottom. Remove that, turn the top knob to Pilot and hold that down while holding the lighter at the end of the pilot. Once the pilot lights, keep holding the knob down for about 30 seconds. Release the knob and turn it to on.

The gas valve in the picture is a Robertshaw model. I don't think those have been made for some time. Here's a video that's relevant. non-spark section starts at about 3:30
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5gJRU-20a0

[Flamingo13]

As other stated - it's a water heater, not a boiler.

[Pitt Chick]

Sounds like you should call in a professional, since you don't know what you are dealing with.

[easy62]

You might also have a bad thermocouple, if you’re pilot light won’t stay lit.

[K'ledgeBldr]

There was a report of a sonic boom yesterday, and then a report of a UAP. Unconfirmed reports said it looked a lot like a “water heater”!

One has to wonder…

[tickyul]

The piezo-igniter is out on my gas-water-heater.......I just use a long-lighter to light it off, works great.

[WRM20]

Originally Posted by tickyul

The piezo-igniter is out on my gas-water-heater.......I just use a long-lighter to light it off, works great.

Yeah, that's an important point. The spark ignitor is only for the pilot. It does nothing for the gas used to heat teh water.

[djmilf]

You know, Dad had to re-light a pilot light on a hot water heater once.

Took six months for his eyebrows to grow back....