Oct 24th 2026
Suburban 161156 Pilot Burner Assembly: Fixing an Old Suburban Pilot Water Heater (SW6P, SW10P)
PILOT MODELS · SW6P / SW10P
Suburban 161156 Pilot Burner Assembly: Fixing an Old Suburban Pilot Water Heater (SW6P, SW10P)
Older Suburban water heaters with a standing pilot (model numbers ending in P) use the 161156 pilot burner and thermocouple assembly. Here’s how to light them and what to check when the pilot won’t stay lit.
The short version
- 161156 is Suburban’s pilot burner/thermocouple assembly for the SW6P, SW6PR, SW6PE, SW6PER, SW10P, SW10PR, SW10PE and SW10PER.
- To light: knob to PILOT, press and hold, light the pilot, and keep holding for 30 seconds.
- If the pilot goes out when you let go, the usual suspect is the thermocouple, which holds the gas valve open.
- Suburban’s current parts manual lists the pilot kit as 525012.
Covers these models
P = pilot. PR = pilot with a 12V re-igniter. PE/PER = adds a 120V electric element. 12,000 BTU/h (SW4P 9,000).
How a pilot water heater works
A small pilot flame burns all the time. It heats the thermocouple, which makes a tiny voltage (millivolts) that holds a magnet in the gas valve open. If the pilot goes out, the thermocouple cools, the magnet lets go and the valve shuts off the gas. The thermostat in the gas control turns the main burner on and off around the pilot.
How to light the pilot (Suburban’s steps)
STEP 1
Turn it off and wait
Push and turn the gas knob clockwise to OFF. Turn off electric power on PE/PER models. Wait 5 minutes for gas to clear. If you smell gas, stop.
STEP 2
Light the pilot
Turn the knob counterclockwise to PILOT, press it down and light the pilot (not the main burner).
STEP 3
Hold for 30 seconds
Keep the knob pressed until the pilot has stayed lit for 30 seconds, then release. Repeat if it goes out. The first start can take a few minutes to purge air from the line.
STEP 4
Turn to ON
Turn the knob to ON and set the temperature dial. Restore electric power on PE/PER models. Use only your hand on the knob, never tools.
Does the pilot go out when you release the knob?
You’re set
Check the main burner lights when the thermostat calls for heat.
STEP 5
Check the thermocouple and pilot
Make sure the thermocouple tip sits in the pilot flame and its nut is snug at the gas valve. Look for a weak, yellow or wandering pilot flame (a dirty pilot orifice or low gas pressure). A widely used test: remove the thermocouple, heat its tip in a flame for about 45 seconds and read millivolts; about 12 mV is a common minimum and 26 mV is healthy. That’s general practice, not a Suburban spec.
Thermocouple weak, or the assembly corroded?
Replace the pilot assembly
The 161156 includes the pilot burner and thermocouple together.
Suspect the gas control
If the thermocouple is good and the pilot still won’t hold, the gas control valve (161111 on many SW6P/SW10P units) may be at fault.
Gas safety
If you smell gas at any point, shut off the propane, ventilate and don’t light anything. Leak-test fittings with soapy water. If you’re not comfortable working on gas controls, have an RV technician do it.
Still have a pilot heater? Consider the upgrade
Many owners replace an old pilot unit with a DSI (direct spark) model so they can light it from inside. Suburban’s current SW6D/SW10D units fit the same Suburban openings (12-3/4 in. square for 6 gallon, 16-3/8 in. for 10 gallon).
Parts for this repair
Suburban 161156 Pilot Burner & Thermocouple AssemblyView part →
Suburban 161111 Gas Valve (SW6P / SW10P)View part →
Suburban SW6D 6 Gallon Water Heater (5238A)View part →
Suburban SW10D 10 Gallon Water Heater (5242A)View part →Shop by category: Suburban parts, Suburban water heaters.
FAQ
What does the Suburban 161156 fit?
Suburban lists it as the pilot burner/thermocouple assembly for the SW6P, SW6PR, SW6PE, SW6PER, SW10P, SW10PR, SW10PE and SW10PER.
Why won’t my Suburban water heater pilot stay lit?
Most often a weak thermocouple, a thermocouple out of the pilot flame, a dirty pilot orifice or low gas pressure. If those check out, suspect the gas control valve.
How long do I hold the pilot knob?
Suburban says to hold it until the pilot stays lit for 30 seconds.
Not sure which part fits? Contact us with your model and serial number from the data plate and we’ll confirm it before you order.
From Suburban (Airxcel) service and training, installation and operating manuals and the current Suburban RV parts manual. Thermocouple millivolt figures are general industry guidance, not Suburban specs.