Pilot goes out when thermostat/burner turned up

I've read severl atopics about the pilot light going out when the button to light the pilot is released but thats not the issue I seem to be having. It a 5 year old GE smart series water heater and I am on LP. I have to wait about 15-30 mins to light it, sometimes more, in between tries. I've replaced the thermocouple but it didnt seem to do the trick. I light the pilot and it stays a blue flame, slightly anemic. Then as i turn the burner up it just suffocates or flames out. What would be the issue on this ? Would you suggest a whole new pilot assembly. Replacing the thermostat ? A valve possibly. I just hate to replace the whole water heater if I can fix it since its not that old. Feel free to ask any questions. Thanks !


You may want to have your gas supplier test the pressure at the WH. Seems like I remember seeing that can cause an issue as well. As the main burner comes on, it reduces the pressure enough that the pilot goes out.

The anemic pilot would seem to indicate low flow. I don't know whether the orifice can be cleaned or not..I would think so.

Oh...does the main burner come on full force?