dbozarth
Dec 8, 2011, 10:02 AM
Please read, I know it's long:
Two days ago I awoke to no hot water, the pilot was out so I turned the knob to "pilot," pushed down on red button and clicked the electronic starter. It lit, continue to hold down red button for approx 1 minute then released. Pilot still lit, once I turned the thermostat knob, it went out. Last night, I took out the entire burner unit. Found lots of burned muck atop of burner plate, and a torched thermal couple. I took some plumbers emery cloth and cleaned the thermal couple as I have on my furnace's couple, which did the trick for it. I put it all back together, and started the starting sequence again. Same result, the pilot stayed lit for a couple of minutes then, dead. This morning, the same thing. It lit shortly, and I watched the flame through the glass, it just kind of died out.
So, I called a local plumber this morning and told him the problem. His reply: Rheem has had issues with this model and basically comes down to a safety door issue or something. It shuts and doesn't allow any oxygen to heater and there is nothing you can really do, but replace the unit. Its going to cost around $700, plus or minus. Eeeeeeeek! I don't have that kind of money at the moment. They couldn't do a couple of payments so, I called Rheem to verify his statement.
---------------------------(This is kind of the answer to the question)-------------------------------------------
They told me to remove the burner unit, then call them back. I did, and they had me look to the rear of the unit. They asked if I could see a type of metal pin like thing, I told them yes. Then they asked if I could see a type of glass piece, and I said no. They told me that it was a safety sensor, and it trips to kill the oxygen from getting in there. Due to a number of things: dust, debris, clogged vents etc... So, my unit just went out of warranty, but they are sending me FREE OF CHARGE, a new Safety Sensor through Fedex. I've attached a photo that shows it in the lower area of bottom. I will have it tomorrow, and hopefully it fixes my situation. I'm no kind of a plumber, but I can't afford a new one. So, I'm going to give it a shot and try and replace it. (I'm a Fiber/Network Technician for a Gunnery Range) All this troubleshooting is killing my old butt, laying on floor. I just hope it all works.
Two days ago I awoke to no hot water, the pilot was out so I turned the knob to "pilot," pushed down on red button and clicked the electronic starter. It lit, continue to hold down red button for approx 1 minute then released. Pilot still lit, once I turned the thermostat knob, it went out. Last night, I took out the entire burner unit. Found lots of burned muck atop of burner plate, and a torched thermal couple. I took some plumbers emery cloth and cleaned the thermal couple as I have on my furnace's couple, which did the trick for it. I put it all back together, and started the starting sequence again. Same result, the pilot stayed lit for a couple of minutes then, dead. This morning, the same thing. It lit shortly, and I watched the flame through the glass, it just kind of died out.
So, I called a local plumber this morning and told him the problem. His reply: Rheem has had issues with this model and basically comes down to a safety door issue or something. It shuts and doesn't allow any oxygen to heater and there is nothing you can really do, but replace the unit. Its going to cost around $700, plus or minus. Eeeeeeeek! I don't have that kind of money at the moment. They couldn't do a couple of payments so, I called Rheem to verify his statement.
---------------------------(This is kind of the answer to the question)-------------------------------------------
They told me to remove the burner unit, then call them back. I did, and they had me look to the rear of the unit. They asked if I could see a type of metal pin like thing, I told them yes. Then they asked if I could see a type of glass piece, and I said no. They told me that it was a safety sensor, and it trips to kill the oxygen from getting in there. Due to a number of things: dust, debris, clogged vents etc... So, my unit just went out of warranty, but they are sending me FREE OF CHARGE, a new Safety Sensor through Fedex. I've attached a photo that shows it in the lower area of bottom. I will have it tomorrow, and hopefully it fixes my situation. I'm no kind of a plumber, but I can't afford a new one. So, I'm going to give it a shot and try and replace it. (I'm a Fiber/Network Technician for a Gunnery Range) All this troubleshooting is killing my old butt, laying on floor. I just hope it all works.