Reliance Water Heaters - Page 5 - Recent Questions, Troubleshooting & Support

Push circuit breaker fully off and then fully ON Test for 240 volt across top twp screws on upper thermostat. If tank was not full of water when breaker was turned on, then upper element burned out. http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html#new Yes both elements will test for 120 volt to ground at all times... but it takes 240 volt to heat element http://waterheatertimer.org/Element-tests-for-120-Volts.html Gene Water Heater Timers Save Money If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Yellow Pages Contact a Plumber

Bad venting... test vent. Water dripping down flue because of missing cap? Air intake not clean? Bad gas control valve and/or lack of maintenance? Low gas pressure? Air in gas line? Some or all the above? http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html#vent http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html#pilot http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html#intellivent Gene If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

You have a water leak under the house, but need to know if it's a gas heater or electric. check the Pop off valve on top of the tank it has a short handle and should go threw the floor pull up on the valve and let it sit back down, if it stops the high pressure pop off valve is leaking, you can buy it and replace it for 5 or 10 bucks, if that does not stop it look under the house. Also use a broom stick and put the round end at the wall and the other end near your ear and check the wall and floor for the noise the closer you get the louder the sound. Hope this helps. If you look under the house and see water you know you got a leak in the pipes or the tank itself.

You should be able to get this at any home improvement store or a Tractor Supply Store. Another source would be somewhere like Praxair or whoever your local propane gas refill place is.

Tank-type electric water heater is fully repairable by homeowner.

Try replacing thermostat:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html

Page above has links to other repair steps in case thermostat is not the problem.
Add a comment any time if you have problem while repairing your water heater.

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.

Hello Rsjohnson164,

I understand that you are having a problem with your hot-water tank not producing any amount of hot-water. I would suggest that you turn off the cold water supply to your hot water tank and drain the tank and see how much water comes out of it.

Flush the tank:
1. Turn off the cold water supply
2. Hook a water hose to the boiler valve (spicket on the bottom of the tank) and turn on the valve
3. Turn on the cold water inlet line and let it run for about 15 minutes or until you get good pressure coming out.

Check the Elements:
1. Turn off the power to the hot-water tank
2. Remove the service panels
3. Remove one wire from the element and use a multi-meter to check continuity
4. If no continuity replace one or both elements

If you do all of this and still have a problem repost to this thread and we will check your thermostats to make sure they are working properly.

Thank you for choosing FIxYa.com

Justin

Short answer: Thermostats may be bad. Replace both thermostats.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html

Long answer:
1) If water heater has some hot water, then upper element is good and water heater has 240Volts, and best suspect is burned out lower element.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-clean-sediment-out-of-electric-water-heater.html

2) If water heater has no hot water because 240volt circuit breaker is tripped on one leg, and only 120Volts is arriving at water heater, then upper part of water heater can appear to have voltage and lower part of water heater can appear to have no voltage.
Open following links for troubleshoot steps:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/Test-electricity-to-water-heater.html

Add a comment for more help

Bad gas control valve thermostat http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html#intellivent Gene If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Maybe 98 is 1998, and H is 9th month of year. Might be Bradford White, maybe State. http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Find-Age-of-water-heater.pdf http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-manufacturers.html Gene Water Heater Timers Save Money If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

the electricity it burns in the water like when u burn trash it stinks becase of the electric

You have a major problem and need to replace your tank. Get expert advise.

As near as I can see you have a thirty gallon tank.

At fifteen years of age it would be less cost over time and labor to replace the whole tank. How efficient is your old one and being it runs hot all the time you could have a tank that will not last very long anyway. Mine sprung a leak at 18 years and made a big mess.

Sounds to me like the gas orifice is partially plugged. Or your burner is dirty and should be cleaned.

If it's gas the control usually is at the bottom of the tank where the gas line comes in. If it's electric there should be a little trap door either at the top or bottom and the heat control is behind that door. The door is usually held in place with a screw There is a little dial with numbers you can turn up or down. There are electrical wires that you should not touch as well.

If it's gas the control usually is at the bottom of the tank where the gas line comes in. If it's electric there should be a little trap door either at the top or bottom and the heat control is behind that door. The door is usually held in place with a screw There is a little dial with numbers you can turn up or down. There are electrical wires that you should not touch as well.

I wrote a page for changing water heater thermostat.
The photos take you through step-by-step
I recommend replacing both upper and lower thermostats so it eliminates thermostats as possible cause if water heater keeps overheating.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html

The Reliance 606 manual shows your water heater uses generic upper and lower thermostats from hardware store.
http://www.reliancewaterheaters.com/lit/om/manuals/185761-000.pdf

Likely the thermostat will solve the problem:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

thermostat set too low. leak in hot water line or hot water being used too fast. defective thermostat