Water Heater Pilot Assembly (replaces 183824-180, 9003459) 9003531

pilot tube and thermocouple too long, but works!

The one I need has a different part number, but the website says this is the replacement for the my gas water heater, so I bought it. Then, I found that the pilot tube and thermocouple wiring were too long, I ended up just bend them into a loop and this does not affect the function. If you are DIY, you would most likely need to bend the bracket holding the over-temperature breaker to make it work. This is not difficult, just need to check how the old one fit and keep the space between "pilot tube, ignitor and the thermocouple " and the burner relatively the same. My old thermocouple was like 15 years old and it no longer keeps the pilot ON. I was able to bend its wire feed to the control valve to keep it working for about 5 days and it would stop working again, so it is obvious that I need to replace it. I was thinking about just buying a generic thermocouple for about $12, but since I have no experience with it and I do not have a torch to do soldering, so I just bought the whole assembly to save time. I also replaced the anode rod, which was used up down to just the wire. The most difficult part is to break loose the old rod, so make sure you have a breaker bar with at least 24" in length. Also, for my case, turned off the main water shutoff instead of the cold water inlet to the heater (mine was 40 years old and no longer worked, don't ask how I found this out...).

Ease of Installation

Moderate

Duration of Installation

30 minutes - 1 hour

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Horrible service don't buy from here

Horrible company no wonder Sears went out of business. Called to cancel and they are still sending stuff. They don't care about customer service.

Ease of Installation

Very Difficult

Duration of Installation

More than 2 hours

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

4 stars

Pilot light went out for unknown reason. Plumber installed part.

Ease of Installation

Moderate

Duration of Installation

30 minutes - 1 hour

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Exact part for old Kenmore water heater from sears

I watched videos on YouTube about how to fix a water heater DIY and they recommended I order parts from manufacturer. This is the exact part I needed for my 2005 Kenmore water heater from sears. It fit onto the burner using existing hardware NP. The only real difference were the increased length of the thermocouple and pilot light tubes - which is good JIC someone has a gas control installed a little higher on the tank or a larger capacity tank. After installation, I did a test run - the pilot light went out after it's first use, but when I reignited it again and let it heat the water again, it has stayed lit and is performing as expected now! Probably needed a 'warm-up' ;) Anyway, I ordered this part because my pilot light wouldnt stay lit anymore which indicated that my thermocouple was dead (watched DIY videos online and forums via google). This was my first time doing any type of maintenance on a water heater but it went well because this was the exact replacement part I needed.

Ease of Installation

Easy

Duration of Installation

30 minutes - 1 hour

Pilot light replacement.

Easy for plumber to install, but water heater was too old. I was unable to replace it with another Kenmore.

Ease of Installation

Easy

Duration of Installation

30 minutes - 1 hour

Very easy to install came with instructions thank

Very easy to install they came with instructions first time I've ever done it and it worked as soon as I hooked it up and started it up made me feel I was 10 ft tall.

Ease of Installation

Difficult

Duration of Installation

1 - 2 hours

Easy to install.

Take pictures of everything before you disassemble.

Ease of Installation

Very Difficult

Duration of Installation

30 minutes - 1 hour

Sears Parts still operating well 2019

Pilot would not stay lit. Most common fault is the thermocouple which this assbly provides. Kenmore PowerMiser 9 from 2005. High Altitude.

Ease of Installation

Moderate

Duration of Installation

30 minutes - 1 hour