I was told I needed a new baffle (I think) on my water heater. The part in question is a twisted metal part that hangs down the center of the tank in the exhaust port. It looks like it used to hang from two holes in the top but must have rusted or something and now is down at the bottom of the tank and about 5" of the bottom part of it is broken off.
Can I get a replacement part? I looked at a parts list but not sure what it is.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

Hi jetskib2 and welcome, I never replaced a baffle has it dropped into the burner? I did find this, The baffle, or turbulator

As it is sometimes called, is a stainless steel (typically) helix installed in the flue passage to slow down the gas or oil exhaust products as they move up through the water heater and out toward the vent connector. The longer the exhaust products linger in the water heater, the more heat will be transferred into the water.

The baffles may be dislodged from their resting place, or their support tabs may rust off. Rusted baffles are sometimes removed and not replaced.

The baffle may fall onto the burner, affecting burner operation and reducing the efficiency of the system. A missing or displaced baffle will allow exhaust products to move too quickly through the tanks. This increases fuel consumption.

When looking into the burner compartment on a gas-fired water heater, make sure that the baffle has not fallen down onto the burner. You may be able to look around the draft hood at the top and see the top of the baffle. Where it is not intact, it may have fallen or it may be missing. In an oil-fired water heater, you may find that the baffle has fallen down into the fire-pot or refractory. This can sometimes be seen looking in through the viewing port.

Electric water heaters don't have a center core like gas and oil water heaters since there are no combustion products. The heat is transferred directly by the immersion element. There are no baffles in an electric water heater.

Maybe one of the experts will drop in and have some advice. Good luck

That water heater is 20 years old... probably on its last leg, but if you still want to try and repair this call 18006215622 to order the flue baffle (part# AM38876) and the flue baffle hanger (part # AM 20622C)... these are part numbers that are relevant to Rheem gas-fired water heaters installed prior to 2003... ;)

Good luck!

Mark