20 Most Recent Reliance & 30 Gal LP Gas Water Heater Questions & Answers

Probably the plumbing ... here's a troubleshoot walk thru http://waterheatertimer.org/Low-hot-water-pressure.html

Question posted under Reliance tank-type gas water heater.Look at label on side of unit and add comment with brand, model and type heater, because the answer depends on which brand and type water heater you have.Information below is for Reliance tank-type.First of all, you need to clean the air intake located on bottom of unit.The fact that the pilot will light indicates that you are getting gas, but the gas control might be bad, or the unit suffered FV failure from overheated combustion chamber and might require part replacement.To get a good gauge of situation, clean the air intake first, and then add a comment.Look at image for inspecting air intake.Then use feather duster and/or compressed air to clean flame trap, arrestor screen (air intake)http://waterheatertimer.org/images/Flame-trap-inspection.jpgADD A COMMENT with more detail.Additional resources:http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.htmlhttp://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermocouple.html If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Either the pilot light orfice is dirty, and you will need to pull it out and clean it, or the thermocouple is bad. If the pilot goes out as soon as you let the button go then it is most likely the thermocouple. If the pilot stays lit for a few days or hours then you will need to clean the pilot orfice, heres how:
1 turn off the gas supply
2 unhook the main burner gas line from the thermostat, this is the line that goes to the burner
3 unhook the pilot supply line it is usually next to the main burner line
4 unhook the thermocouple from the thermostat
5 remove the burner assembly
6 take the orfice out of the pilot line and clean it out by blowing thru it, use an air compressor if needed.
7 reassemble and light pilot

if water heater will heat a tank of water before the pilot light goes out you need to replce the gas thermostat

sounds like you have the heater set on its highest setting and its tripping the thermal protector. If that trips the water inside has to cool way down before it resets itself. Try setting the temp lower.One more thing this time of year the water comming into the home is a lot colder this time of year and that makes the heater work harder and takes longer to heat the water. 40 degree water takes longer to heat than 65 degree water in the summer. This also means that it dont take much water cool the water in the water heater faster to luke warn.If this is new home with a new water hater you might think about going tankless,then you have endless hot water and save money at the same time.

Question posted under Reliance gas water heater.Add comment for different brand.Age of heater is unknown.Status light indicates one of the Honeywell electronic gas control valve.Status light not blinking indicates that water heater gas control not receiving electrical power for power vent models.Or thermocouple is bad on non-power vent modelshttp://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html#intelliventDepending on model, and age, the thermocouple can be tested and replaced. Or entire burner assembly is replaced.http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermocouple.htmlIf the gas control valve has gone bad because of power surge or other anomaly, then the power-vent type gas control is removed from tank and replaced, while the non-power-vent model is module and can be snapped off front of unit. If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Copy following link for step by step illustration removing burner assembly (and replacing thermocouple or cleaning combustion parts).Reliance is made by Rheem and probably has tamper proof screws.http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermocouple.html If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Open following links for troubleshoot resources:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0aBPsNg6vo
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html#troubleshoot

Hi Bill,
Your problem now is that the thermocouple is getting weak. I assume that you have checked and cleaned the burner again with no improvement in the function of the burner.....
You may be getting some moisture in the gas which can cause the flame to go yellow, but will notmake it go out...
If everything else is okay, then I would be changing that thermocouple before doing anything else... they are inexpesive and easy to change.

heatman101

I have had a similar issue with my Reliance heater. The safest thing to do is replace the entire gas control. You will need the model no. and the serial no. to find the correct one. May have one in stock at some place like Ace Hardware, I found mine on the internet after getting the part no. from the Reliance web site parts dept. May be $75 and up. if you are on propane, there will be a setting in the new control to set for propane The orifices in the burner etc. are already set there. Be careful, it is gas. To change the control is easy, you will need a large pipe wrench to wrap around the whole thing and unscrew it. Drain the heater first, open a hot water faucet to aid in this. And be sure to flush the water heater before you re- light. Lots of videos on the internet on the proper steps. And of course turn off the water supply and the gas supply before you start.

I don't see that manual at Reliance and am unsure if this is gas or electric heater.
Contact Reliance directly:
http://www.reliancewaterheaters.com/prod/gas.html
http://www.reliancewaterheaters.com/contact.html

Find age of water heater:
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/WaterHeaterSerialNumberDecoder.pdf

Add a comment for more free help.
Also take advantage of fixya expert assistance live.
For a price, expert works with you via e-mail or phone while you work on water heater or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

The crackling noise is from build-up of sediment.
I forget exact reaction that causes the noise.
Water heaters exposed to hard water will create sediment inside the tank.

Following link shows sediment and remedies for gas and electric water heaters.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Clean-sediment-out-of-water-heater.html

Add a comment for more free help.
Also take advantage of fixya phone service.
For a price, expert speaks with you over phone while you work on water heater or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

Look at the flame and see if it's burning blue or yellow. And then see if it's burning all the time. If the flame is yellow and water heater does not make hot water, the thermostat may keep the flame going all the time and use up your gas.

Poor flame color means you should clean the burner or replace the burner. If water heater is exposed to trace amounts of some chemicals, like bleach or pool chemicals or wax, these chemicals get pulled into the burner and will shorten life of burner assembly and combustion chamber.

If the flame is blue and the water is not hot, then the thermostat is the best suspect. The thermostat is part of the gas valve. The gas valve has a copper tube that extends into the water and reads water temperature. If thermostat reads incorrect temp, then the gas valve needs to be replaced with gas valve from local plumbing supply of Lowes.

If the flame is blue, and it runs all the time, then your tank may have a layer of sediment between the flame and the water, and the sediment has caused water heater to become very inefficient.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Clean-sediment-out-of-water-heater.html

Now to answer your question:
You can turn up the thermostat dial located on front of tank.
Check your flame and how often burner comes on to determine where problem is.
You can buy a gas valve from Lowes for $65 or from plumbing supply and then replace >> you need a couple wrenches and pipe joint compound and about half a day.
You can clean the burner with wire brush and shop vac.
Remove chemicals from same room as water heater.
If the water heater has sediment build-up, then a new water heater is probably best choice.

You can do some things yourself. If the do-it-yourself steps don't work, then get a new water heater, and you know more about maintaining a water heater because you worked on the old one. Save the new water heater manual. Read the manual because it has ordinary information that will save you money long-term.

How to determine age of water heater
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/WaterHeaterSerialNumberDecoder.pdf

this is either the thermocouple lead or the uni control i would replace the thermocouple leed first, these parts can't be repaired they have to be replaced

Sounds like a bat thermocouple to me. Replace it they are not very expensive.
Good Luck,
Gil

TURN OFF THE GAS VALVE AND WATER TO THE TANK REMOVE THE PIPES FOR THE DRAFT USE A SHOP VAC AND CLEAN THE DIRT AND DUST FROM THE INSIDE OF THE DUCT WORK ALSO WHERE THE BURNER IS LOCATED YOU CAN VACUME THERE ALSO AND REINSTALL THE DUCT TO THE FLUE

I personally wouldn't replace a safety device (placed there by lawyers, lawsuits and the all knowing government) with anything other than OEM. While it's very likely that one manufacturers flammable vapor sensor may interchange on another brand of tank, I think it's highly unlikely that EVERY manufacturers sensor will work on every other brand of tank

time to replace. The flame arrestor is most likely dirty.

Shut off water open lowest drian/ tap off water will run off there .It will take the pressure off

check gas flow of tube if ok replace pilot generator