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bfell1035
Jan 17, 2008, 03:07 PM
I have a reliance 606 water heater and I am not getting any hot water. I checked and it is not the fuse. Any suggestions on what it might be?

twinkiedooter
Jan 17, 2008, 04:31 PM
I take it this is an electric water heater? If so there are not that many things that could go wrong but the list is

Heater disconnect switch off - turn switch on
High-limit temperature cutoff faulty - test temperature cutoff
Thermostat faulty - test thermostat
Element faulty - test element

That is a list of the only 4 things that could be wrong.

If you don't know where any of these items are in your unit, you can call a plumber and have him test and replace the faulty parts. Don't just rush out and buy a new water heater as it just might be one of the above.

ballengerb1
Jan 17, 2008, 05:44 PM
Besides calling a plumber I think we'll move this question to plumbing so you get more help. However, Twinkie pretty much covered it.

massplumber2008
Jan 17, 2008, 06:18 PM
Hi Bfell and others! Hey, Bfell... do you have an electrical tester.. If you plan to investigate this yourself you will need a basic electrical tester that tests for voltage and continuity.

If you are real unfamiliar with electricity... be very careful here... 220-240 volt system.

I begin such a job by first checking fuse... heck, I say just replace the fuse... sometimes the fuse is blown but does not look like it is. Then check line voltage into the water heater (remove electric cover plate on top and test for line voltage into heater... here, shut heater off by pulling fuse, open cover plate, remove electric nuts, turn power on and test for power in). If you get power in then you should check for continuity across the elements next... why elements next.. Because they go often is why!

So, here, disconnect the power at the fuse, then remove the access panels covering the elements (probably two elements to check), disconnect the two wires going to each element and test each element for continuity (set tester to continuity.. hopefully has an audible sound to confirm continuity). Simply touch the two screws on each element to confirm continuous flow of energy... IF element is bad you will not get a continuity reading.

If you do not get a continuity reading then the element is bad and you will need to drain the heater to below the level of the element you are changing and using a deep socket or other such tool (element wrench.. ) remove the old element and replace it with a new one (do not turn power back on to the heater until element is replaced AND water heater has been filled and water purged through the faucets in your home). Then turn power on and see what happens.

If your elements test positive for continuity then you may have a problem with your thermostats... Here, you would need to test for voltage across the elements... from what you are saying, no hot water, so you would be getting a voltage reading across the thermostat but if thermostat bad would get no reading across the element.. so test this next.

These are most common issues but as twinkiedooter said there is even more to look at. Start here... let us know how it goes. BE CAREFUL!!

If my answer helped please RATE THE ANSWER below! Thank you!