A.o.smith hot water heater flame sensor

Hi Atbrunette

Can you tell us a little more here? Exactly what is your issue?

Back to you...

Mark

Hi Mark,

I didn't realize I had actually asked a question... sorry for the vagueness.

Our hot water heater is 6 yrs old and we moved in 2 weeks ago... it has worked fine during that time and then suddenly stopped heating. My husband has followed the instructions on the AO Smith Power Vent gas hot water heater... it clicks like it's trying to light... starts to glow, but then shuts off... does this 3 or 4 times and then shuts off. It sounds like it must be the flame sensor... based on another forum's info, he sanded it to clean it off, but with no luck. I spoke with AO Smith today and they said the sanding can leave a film that is no better than the buildup from before sanding. He is trying steel wool now to see if that works...

Thanks for the update. If you are in touch with AO SMITH, you should be fine from there. Steel wool should work, if not, replace the sensor.

Good luck!

The steel wool didn't work :( So it is likely the sensor then? She said it could possibly also be the gas pressure...

Very unlikely that it is the gas pressure... neighbors would most likely have issues, too, or other appliances such as the stove in your house would also usually present with issues, but you never know, huh?

If you want to call out your local gas company and see if they can confirm pressure at no charge, that may be something to finalize this.

Otherwise, contact AO Smith technical department and confirm the sensor and get it sent out ASAP (or pick up at a local plumbing supply store... call ahead).

My water heater will not stay lit it comes on for a few seconds and shuts off repeating the process