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Solve the gas water heater mystery

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Solve the gas water heater mystery Paul in Boise 02-13-2005
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Posted by Paul in Boise on February 13, 2005, 1:58 pm


I have a Rheem 50 gal gas water heater (21V50-2) and need a little help
in isolating the problem. Based on some of the post I read on this NG
it will likely be "layup" for someone.

So a few days ago the pilot lit went out, and now to days later it
won't stay lit. Here are the tests I have done, any suggestions on
which component is failing?


1. The pilot flame looks normal so I don't think there is an issue
with this.

2. I can turn thermostat all the way down to "vacation" and the pilot
will stay lit by it self all night.

3. There seems to be a lot of heat coming out of the lower panel that
pilot light feeds through. The outside sidewall of the heater right
about this panel opening is starting to mis-color from the heater
(brownish). I have had the panel cover off a bit lately but there does
still seem to be an unusual amount of heat coming out.

4. Once lighted and on med-hi to high I only get about 20mins before
burner and pilot goes out. I am not sure if it's relevant but when all
the hot water is out and the heater has to heat all 50 gallons from
cold to hot I still can only get 20 mins out of it. If I turn the temp
down to low it will stay lit a lot longer.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions on what the problem is.

Thanks,
Paul



Tankless Water Heaters 468x60
Posted by Duane Bozarth on February 13, 2005, 5:46 pm


Paul in Boise wrote:
>
Sounds like possibly a regulator/pressure problem if both are going out
under load and not when in vacation--sounds like it isn't getting enough
gas--sorta like starving an engine.


Posted by Paul in Boise on February 13, 2005, 5:36 pm


Wow, guess it isn't as simple as I thought. I appreciate the
responses. I guess I would like to ask another question though. Are
there any simple tests that I can do to further isolate the problem? I
don't have any specialized tools but if there are any tricks you may
know that might elimate a few things please just let me know. Also,
it looks pretty easy to remove the pilot light for cleaner but how do
clean it once it's out. Thanks again!


BTW, this heater was new with the house in 1994.



Posted by Colbyt on February 13, 2005, 9:35 pm



> it looks pretty easy to remove the pilot light for cleaner but how do
> clean it once it's out. Thanks again!
>
>
> BTW, this heater was new with the house in 1994.
>

Try all the suggestions received.

With a 10 year old heater the control valve could be bad. They aren't worth
replacing. They cost almost as much as a new heater IF you can even remove
the old one from the heater.

If you take apart the pilot to clean it replace the thermocouple at the
same. Now you are gambling $6 and 2-3 hours against the cost of a new
heater.

Remove the pilot assembly. Remove all the ash and crud from the pilot
burner with a stiff tooth brush (wire preferred).
Take it apart. Give the pipe a good BG. Inside of the burner there is an
orifice. The look varies but what it is a very tiny hole through which the
gas passes. When held up to a strong light you should see a perfect circle.
Most likely you won't. Your job is to clean the hole so that when sighted
against a strong light you see a perfect circle. You MUST NOT enlarge the
hole by using a needle or item to big to clean it. I have had good luck
using a single strand of wire from a twisted galvanized wire (such as
antenna guy wire). You need to use something about half the size of the
point on the safety pins that the dry cleaners send back on your clothes.
When you see the perfect circle the lint or dust has been removed. The
pilot should burn higher and wider than it did before you cleaned it.

Test all connections that you loosened with a solution of 1 tablespoon of
dish soap to 16 ounces of water. If any connection blows bubbles tighten
till it does not. Don't confuse the tiny bubbles from the soapy water as
being a leak. They will grow if you have a leak.

As always you accept this mission at your own risk. The information provided
is believed accurate but your are responsible for the final determination as
to the accuracy and or the results.

Colbyt




Posted by Paul in Boise on February 13, 2005, 6:42 pm


Thanks!



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