Requesting help for AO Smith Water Heater...

Posted by Greg on October 30, 2009, 4:45 pm

Hi,

I own a condominium which uses a AO Smith Natural Gas Model FPS 40 216
Water Heater. I imagine it was installed at the time the condo was
built which would be around 1989. The pilot lights fine but I am
having a problem with the burner igniting. I've tried the instructions
listed on the barrel which explain how to jump start the pilot but it
doesn't work.

Can someone direct me to something online or recommend a local service
center for doing basic repairs? Seems like something simple but I
would like to know any options I have before investing in a new model.
Thanks in advance for your assistance.

-Greg

Posted by Oyabun on October 30, 2009, 4:56 pm

On Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:45:20 -0700 (PDT), Greg

>Hi,
>I own a condominium which uses a AO Smith Natural Gas Model FPS 40 216
>Water Heater. I imagine it was installed at the time the condo was
>built which would be around 1989. The pilot lights fine but I am
>having a problem with the burner igniting. I've tried the instructions
>listed on the barrel which explain how to jump start the pilot but it
>doesn't work.
>Can someone direct me to something online or recommend a local service
>center for doing basic repairs? Seems like something simple but I
>would like to know any options I have before investing in a new model.
>Thanks in advance for your assistance.
>-Greg

With a 20 year old heater you'll be throwing money away on repairs.
Invest your money on a replacement unless you can fix what you have
for free.

Posted by hallerb@aol.com on October 30, 2009, 9:00 pm

> With a 20 year old heater you'll be throwing money away on repairs.
> Invest your money on a replacement unless you can fix what you have
> for free.

totally agree............

OP might try removing and cleaning burner and pilot. carbon builds up,
preventing ignition...........

might be main gas control valve, replace heater.

Posted by hr(bob) hofmann@att.net on October 30, 2009, 11:21 pm

> Hi,
> I own a condominium which uses a AO Smith Natural Gas Model FPS 40 216
> Water Heater. I imagine it was installed at the time the condo was
> built which would be around 1989. The pilot lights fine but I am
> having a problem with the burner igniting. I've tried the instructions
> listed on the barrel which explain how to jump start the pilot but it
> doesn't work.
> Can someone direct me to something online or recommend a local service
> center for doing basic repairs? Seems like something simple but I
> would like to know any options I have before investing in a new model.
> Thanks in advance for your assistance.
> -Greg

It is hard to recommend a local service center if you don't tell us
where you live!!!

Posted by ransley on October 31, 2009, 9:06 am

> Hi,
> I own a condominium which uses a AO Smith Natural Gas Model FPS 40 216
> Water Heater. I imagine it was installed at the time the condo was
> built which would be around 1989. The pilot lights fine but I am
> having a problem with the burner igniting. I've tried the instructions
> listed on the barrel which explain how to jump start the pilot but it
> doesn't work.
> Can someone direct me to something online or recommend a local service
> center for doing basic repairs? Seems like something simple but I
> would like to know any options I have before investing in a new model.
> Thanks in advance for your assistance.
> -Greg

I lightly wack the gas valve with a piece of wood on my boiler every
fall since it sticks, its not the safest thing to do if something is
rotted and breaks.

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