Amer Water Heater Model bfg6140t403nov.....pilot not staying lit

[clattin]

My rental property has a 20 year old American Water Heater model number bfg6140t403nov.  Over the last year or so, the pilot light will go out and can't be re-ignited.  I've replaced the thermocouple each time and that resolves the issue......for a few months.  When I pulled the burner assembly out today because it happened again, I saw this crack around the edge of the burner.  I didn't notice this crack the last time I replaced the thermocouple back in November, and I think I would have.  Could this be the reason that the thermocouples keep going bad so quickly?  I have found a replacement burner for about $30 but maybe I should just replace the whole water heater?

Thanks!

Chris

 

[WOOKIE]

20 years old! You got your use out of it .  It will be cheaper to replace the water heater than paying what the insurance will not cover when it blow's. I have seen too many of them cause thousand's of dollar's in repair's replacing floor's carpet's and, cleaning up the mold and mildew from the water damage.  It is wise to be proactive than re-active.

[Steve McQueen]

Looks like it is at the end of its' life and time to replace before you end up whishing you had.