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How to troubleshoot gas water heaterSEARCH this page using Ctrl+F for browser Find feature |
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FVIR resources that might help or not.Read information above. It's probably best source of information;Post question on pro water heater forum: Tank forum Cleaning air intake might solve problem with Bradford White/ and AO Smith Most of the service manuals give little or no information about solving FVIR. Call manufacturer. |
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| How to repair Rheem FVIR FVIR intellivent troubleshoot .pdf Bradford White service manual .pdf Bradford White 2 .pdf General FVIR troubleshoot .pdf AO Smith FVIR water heater .pdf |
FVIR cleaning .pdf 2006 FVIR bulletin .pdf American 2006 FVIR water heater .pdf American powerflex water heater .pdf AO Smith service handbook .pdf Reliance water heater .pdf |
How to troubleshoot gas water heater/ DIY ResourcesSEARCH this page using Ctrl+F for browser Find feature |
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Gas water heaters are not standard today. Models vary. Manufacturers each have different design. Designs change frequently. |
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Prevent problemsMaintain water heater and it will last many years beyond warranty. Read manual and links below.How to maintain water heater 1) Read about anode rods 2) Read about stray current corrosion 3) How to flush water heater 4) Inspect for leaks 5) 9 ways to save with water heater 6) Water heater safety precautions 7) Read manual and follow maintenance schedule and precautions |
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| 2012 Troubleshoot gas water heater starts here: SEARCH this page using Ctrl+F for browser Find feature Find current manuals at some seller's websites Water heater manufacturers |
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***Tank Forum*** |
Links below contain
valuable resources. Also Recommend Tank professional water heater forum Not affiliated with this site. Sign up, Post a question, or Use search feature at tank to find information available nowhere else. Example topics: Burner will not stay lit Burner flame is yellow Bad thermocouple on new Rheem water heater |
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Troubleshoot by gas control valve |
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Back
to 10 things for troubleshooting water heater For atmospheric vent models Range Low 55° - very hot 160° Average bath 110°F, typical water heater temp 120° ECO limit 199° F, ECO trips, gas valve fails TP release water at 170° All calibrations are approximate Severe scalding risk over 135° To reset gas control, rotate dial to OFF, wait 10 minutes for gas to clear. Then relight. Buy Reliance/ Honeywell gas control American / Honeywell gas control Kenmore water heater gas valve Craftmaster/ Whirlpool Bradford White AO Smith Honeywell gas control at Amazon American / Honeywell gas control at Amazon Honeywell gas valve for propane Honeywell natural gas valve Reliance NG at Amazon Reliance LP at Amazon Kenmore water heater gas valve Gas water heater timer fits this valve Replacement instructions How to test & replace Honeywell/ pdf WT8840 replacement manual How to replace Honeywell gas control valve Resources WV8840/ WT8840: Typical installation manual Typical installation manual/ low NOx Adjust temp on Honeywell gas valve Error codes WV8840 series Error codes WV8840 series Error codes WT8840 AO Smith service handbook Service handbook State Error code/ troubleshoot/ service manual/ FVIR Bradford White service manual Error light blinking 4 times How to light water heater How to light water heater/ pdf How to light Whirlpool energy smart WT8840 product overview models WT8840 gas valve manual and troubleshoot How to replace gas control valves How to test gas control valve How to install gas water heater |
 For power vent and flue dampered models Range Low 90° - very hot 160° Average bath 110°F, typical water heater temp 120° ECO limit 199°F, ECO trips, gas valve fails Average bath 110°F ECO limit 199°F TP release water at 170° Buy Example Honeywell gas control valve at Amazon Reliance NG at Amazon Replacement instructions How to replace water heater gas valve Resources: Flue dampered service manual/ atmospheric Flue dampered/general install and troubleshoot Dampered troubleshoot codes Dampered error codes Dampered error codes Induced draft troubleshoot codes Example dampered install manual2 Example power vent install manual Example power vent install manual Example power direct vent install manual Adjust temperature/ error codes on Honeywell How to light Honeywell gas valve Error codes and troubleshoot chart Error codes Error codes Icon gas valve error codes AO Smith service handbook Bradford White power vent service manual 1 Bradford White power-vent service manual 2 Bradford power-direct-vent service manual Condensing power vent service manual Test gas control/ from BW service manual Sequence of operation How to clean burner Safety Water heater safety precautions Water heater precautions/ pdf Gas-water-heater-Safety-Precautions Gas valve safety Thermal expansion Insulation blanket |
 For power vent models Range Low 80° to Hot 150° Error C flashes at 160° Buy Buy Intellivent gas control at Amazon White Rodgers/ Rheem Intellivent gas control AO Smith intellivent AO Smith Intellivent at Amazon AO Smith White Rodgers at Amazon Replacement instructions How to replace water heater gas valve Resources: How to light water heater Typical installation manual Sample installation manual Example install manual Ultra low nox power vent manual Error codes and adjust temp on Intelli-vent AO Smith Intellivent troubleshoot and FV test Troubleshoot Intellivent/ pdf FVIR intellivent troubleshoot .pdf Intellivent service manual TC-048 R6 Sequence of operation and service brief Intellivent wiring Power direct vent troubleshoot Status codes and troubleshoot/ condensing How to reset intellivent For resetting controller: Method A... After the unit has been off for at least a minute, plug it in, turn on switch; within a few seconds, depress both arrow buttons on controller, and hold them until the left light begins to blink. Release them, and within a few seconds, push those arrow buttons in the following sequence: L/R/L/L/R/L/R/R. This should reset the controller. Method B... after FV event on AO Smith 1. Turn off power to water heater for 10 seconds. 2. Restore power to water heater. 3. Within 10 seconds of restoring power, press the two temperature adjust buttons simultaneously until the left (green) “Vacation” LED begins to blink (approx. 5 second delay). Once the Vacation LED begins to blink, release both buttons. 4. Again, within 10 seconds, press both temperature adjust buttons simultaneously until Vacation LED is on steady (approx. 5 second delay). 5. Release two buttons, the microcomputer will clear the FVS lock-out and normal operation will then be restored. |
 Resources: Troubleshooting/ pdf How to light gas water heater How to replace water heater gas valve |
 Buy Gas control valve thermostats at Amazon Gas water heater thermostats at Amazon Rheem gas control valve at Amazon Gas control valve at Amazon Camco White Rodgers at Amazon Replacement instructions How to replace water heater gas valve Resources: Service manual Service manual 2 Service manual 3 How to light water heater/pdf General troubleshoot manual /pdf White Rodgers gas control valve replacement pdf Power vent water heater issues Magnet testing Test thermocouple Gas valve testing How to light gas water heater White Rodgers NG replace, install, set temp |
 Honeywell Smart Valve Larger image Resources: Temperature settings and features Smart valve error codes Service manual Install smart valve & troubleshoot |
 Robertshaw Natural gas Buy RS Natural gas at Amazon Camco RS at Amazon |
 Buy Gas water heater thermostats at Amazon Replacement instructions How to replace water heater gas valve Resources: Robert Shaw models Robert Shaw troubleshooting/ pdf Unitrol troubleshoot/ pdf General troubleshoot/ pdf General troubleshoot manual /pdf How to light water heater/pdf Magnet testing Test thermocouple Gas valve testing Recalibrate gas control/ pdf How to light gas water heater Adjust pilot on unitrol gas control valve |
 Atwood gas control valveFits all Atwood water heater that have a pilot lightBuy: Atwood gas control valve at Amazon Atwood parts at Amazon Resource: How to replace gas control valve thermostat Atwood water heater troubleshoot resources Suburban water heater service manual |
 Kenmore with power anode rod How to light Effex water heater Effex service manual Suburban water heater service manual Whirlpool energy smart gas water heater manual |
 SIT gas control valve for water heater Larger image How to light and set temperature SIT gas control |
 Robert Shaw 120Volt input gas control valve Wiper Control and Gas Valve assembly Triangle pointed upward is 120 degrees F Replacement for Rheem power vent/ Buy Rheem wiper SP20123A thermostat KIT Wiper SP20123B valve/ no thermostat Resources Larger image Error Codes and troubleshoot Guardian power vent Robert Shaw error code Rheem parts list American power flex parts General manual with lighting instructions Replace water heater gas control and FV Check pressure switch, blower, gas control Sequence of operation How to light water heater To reset: turn the red control knob on and off 6 times within 30 seconds to reset the board. |
 Honeywell electronic water heater controllers |
Gas water heater thermostats are usually single-use after ECO tripsWater heater Gas thermostat has Energy Cut OffWhen ECO senses overheating inside tank, the ECO trips and shuts off gas. If water heater burner or pilot has gas, then ECO is not tripped. Gas valve must be replaced (except Intellivent which can be reset). ECO must have continuity Read more Test ECO on Robertshaw- White Rodgers Read about resetting intellivent Buy Gas water heater thermostats at Amazon |
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  BlowerBuy blower: Water heater blowers at Amazon Resources: Power vents: Power vent water heater issues Anode covered by power vent Blower troubleshoot Power vent troubleshoot Troubleshoot hot surface ignition How to check blower motor Check blower motor Pressure switch troubleshoot Test pressure switch Air pressure switch testing Intellivent wiring Pressure switch replacement Check pressure switch |
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 Larger image  Clean air intake on AO Smith, State, American, Reliance, Whirlpool water heaters Rheem, Richmond, Ruud, GE heaters require removal of combustion parts to clean arrestor screen inside unit. |
 Soot implies dangerous situation Gas may not be burring fully See image on right Soot on top of heater also implies danger.  Buy: Flame trap inspection mirror at Amazon |
 Flame should burn clear blue Low gas pressure. Dirty combustion parts. Poor incoming air supply. Inadequate venting. This is dangerous because unburned gas can accumulate inside combustion chamber or inside the flue way. Causing ignition. This situation will overheat combustion chamber and trip ECO, TCO and FV system, causing water heater to stop working. Follow product manual for correct maintenance protocol |
 How to read gas meter |
 Definitions and formulas/ pdf Pipe size BTU chart Pipe capacity Square footage per BTU |
 Pilot tube orifice Clean with compressed air or carburetor cleaner Standing pilot light maintenance |
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 Use wire brush to clean burner assembly and combustion chamber. When re-starting cold tank, expect condensation dripping until tank reaches temperature. Burner cleaning /pdf Example: how to clean combustion chamber |
 Expanded image Buy: Tube cleaners at Amazon |
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 Water heater burner assembly with piezo igniter How to clean burner Larger image How to remove burner |
 Burner for LP gas is made of cast iron because LP gas burns hotter. Comparison NG-LP Manifold tube and pilot tube are also made heavier to resist pressure & high heat of burning LP gas Example shows rusty burner that has not been cleaned Gas control valve for LP gas will accept left-hand threads for pilot and manifold tubes |
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 Larger image NG gas burners are different than LP burners. LP has more pressure and higher temp |
 How to test piezo igniter Bradford White gas water heater service manual |
 Gas water heater How to remove burner |
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 Location of flame sensor and igniter vary by model and brand of water heater. Larger image Hot surface igniter troubleshoot Sand carbon deposits off igniter. Avoid touching igniter |
 Larger image Intellivent troubleshoot Manual Power vent surface ignition Tip of flame sensor must be directly in front of burner port. Use a nickel to set 7/64 gap. Natural gas flame sensor will be bent, while propane will be straight. |
 Larger image Burner flame is yellow |
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 Larger imageWhite Rodgers gas control valve replacement pdf ECO wires/ thermocouple/ manifold tube/ pilot tube/ piezo igniter How to test water heater thermocouple LP heaters have left-hand threads How to install thermocouple when burner must be removed |
 Larger image Don't over tighten gas line to control valve or damage to control valve can occur. How to set temperature on gas valves  How to replace gas control Replace gas control Operation and safety How to replace Honeywell gas control Buy universal gas control wrench Or make a wrench out of plywood |
 Whirlpool resettable ECO/TCO thermal switch trips when combustion get too hot. Prevents overheating: Clean burner parts. If pilot or burner is
receiving any amount of gas, then ECO is not tripped
Test ECO Rheem FV sensor at Amazon FV sensor at Amazon Replacement reset thermostat at Amazon |
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FVIR
water heater: How to repair Rheem FVIR
FVIR troubleshooting guide Symptom of FV failure 'If pilot stays on without problems as long as gas valve is in PILOT position, but you then turn to ON position and main burner flutters and disappears within 30 seconds then 99% chance TRD is tripped.' (On Rheem heaters, look for signs of shattered glass on combustion floor.) Same symptoms can be bad gas control |
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Newer gas water heaters have
flammable vapor sensor connected to gas control valve SP20172 FV sensor reacts to gasoline vapors, shuts off gas control valve, and water heater will not work. Pilot will not light .. replace sensor Buy: flammable sensor kit  |
 Rheem older water heaters use glass vial that may or may not be replacable How to fix Rheem TRD If system is tripped, the bulb glass is visible on floor of combustion chamber.  FV
sensor, or FVIR,
trips and shuts off gas & air supply to combustion
chamber.
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FV
system: When water heater is exposed to flammable
vapor, and the vapor ignites
inside combustion chamber, the FV system immediately
shuts off air supply to combustion and prevents a flashover or
explosion inside the room. Each water heater has a different design. Call manufacturer for instructions for replacing or resetting FV. FVIR troubleshoot guide Rheem water heater parts list 2011 Rheem parts list 2010 |
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 Raise water heater 18" off floor to avoid flood damage and flammable vapors |
Help
prevent FVIR event by installing gas water heater at least
18" off the floor. #1) Make sure there is adequate fresh air, and that air is clean and list free, and does not have trace chemicals. #2) Always turn off gas to water heater when painting with oil-base paint or oil-base varnish, and when cleaning with solvent-based products, and when pouring gasoline etc. For example when storing gasoline near water heater, the water heater should sit minimum 18" off floor, gasoline should be tightly capped, and do not pour gas to fill gas tank in same room as water heater. |
 Larger image Read pdf Attic ventilation is needed for gas water heater. Increase ventilation to water heater |
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Remove flammables away from water heaterBe cautiousExplosion inside your home wastes precious fuel, and could burn down neighbor's garage. Buy: Gas safety cans at Amazon |
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If gas valve is connected
to electricity, the outlet polarity must be correct Water heater must be grounded. Poor ground can prevent flame. GFCI circuit can cause short cycling. If outlet is not dedicated or has GFCI, other loads such as florescent lighting can cause short cycling.  Unplug cord. Test for continuity between ground prong on plug and manifold tube on gas valve. Connect water heater to different outlet. Test outlet with circuit analyzer |
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How to set temperature on gas valves | ||||
| If you maintain the tank: keep chemicals out of same room, attach bare copper ground wire between hot and cold pipes, flush tank each 6 months, clean burner each year as shown in manual, read the manual entirely for specific information about your model, and inspect/replace anode rod every 2-3 years then basic 6-year tank can last much longer. | |||||
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How
to test water heater vent. Let main burner operate for 5 minutes. Then put match near vent hood. Smoke from match should get sucked into vent Water heater vent test/ pdf Checking the draft Read more at Tank |
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 See larger During typical water heater combustion, hydrogen content of fuel is burned and the result is hot gases. One of these hot gases is steam or water vapor. Adequate venting or air draw up vent is required so gases vent outside. When there is inadequate draw, the water vapor cools and condenses on inside wall of vent pipe. This condensation water is acidic (pH 3-5) and corrosive. It will corrode steel metals and other materials. Improper venting causes water to drip down vent into combustion chamber of gas water heater. Parts inside combustion chamber rust. Holes develop in bottom of water heater. Inspect combustion chamber for rust and water. If steel vent pipe is not venting, the vent pipe will rust and get holes, or joints will fall apart. This situation causes hot gases to enter home and poses serious risk of odorless CO poisoning. Simple test for proper venting: Pipes are not rusted or covered with white condensate. No water on top of tank. Burner inspection does not show excessive rusting. Light match under vent pipe and see if smoke immediately draws upwards. If smoke does not draw, then call plumber. |
Flue
Pipe Safety Read manual for flue pipe clearances so hot vent pipe does not touch or come near combustibles. Rusted flue pipe -or-water on top of gas water heater could indicate serious problem. Call a plumber if you are uncertain. Check pipes and flexible connectors for leaks. If water coming from flue pipe: 1. Vent cover could be missing > rain water entering flue (replace cover) 2. Flue pipe clogged with bird nest or come apart or damp from improper venting: danger of odorless Carbon Monoxide poisoning Serious danger from CO poisoning, a plumber should be called if you are uncertain about vent pipe water leak Read troubleshooting at forum See u-tube video Read about CO detector  How to replace anode rod |
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Minimum
distance of vent pipe from window Side-wall vent pipe must be 4 feet away from windows and doors. And 3 feet away from inside corners. Larger image with more information Power direct-vent clearances Venting a gas water heater Conditions where outdoor air supply is needed |
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the economy: Buy water heaters from my associate links: 50 gallon Gas water heaters at Amazon 40 gallon gas water heaters at Amazon 50 gallon Electric water heaters at Amazon 40 gallon electric water heaters at Amazon Hybrid / heat pump/ water heaters at Amazon Resources: How to install gas water heater How to install electric water heater Troubleshoot gas water heater Troubleshoot electric water heater Point of use water heaters |
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