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Paul Matus Posted on Feb 04, 2013
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Top gas control knob on hot water heater is cracked can it be replaced

1 Answer

Gene Haynes

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  • Reliance Master 5,391 Answers
  • Posted on Feb 05, 2013
Gene Haynes
Reliance Master
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4 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 455 Answers
  • Posted on Oct 15, 2010

SOURCE: Reliance 40 gal hot water heater. Model 54020RS960

Hello Bill The temp stat is a square box clipped in under the elements .Can be replaced in 5 minutes.Need a large flat screwdriver.

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Anonymous

  • 102 Answers
  • Posted on May 22, 2010

SOURCE: New water heater installed in Jan.2010, first no

The reset switch works like a thermostatic breaker and although unusual, it is possible the reset switch is bad or weak. You can replace the reset but some are hard to find. It may be easier to replace the upper thermostat with reset. I would also suggest that you check with the vender you purchased it from, and relay your story to them as they may be willing to help you with the parts. I hope this helps.

Joe A H.

  • 185 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 02, 2011

SOURCE: I have a 40 gal

You will need an amp meter. I suspect that the lower heating element is out or the thermostat.

Most water heater have a upper and lower element. The bottom is the main work horse.

Take the lower access door off and you can get to the wires to use a clamp on Amp meter. You should get a reading of 10 + amp if it is working. You can check the thermostat with the volt meter also to make sure you are getting voltage to the element . You should have 220 volts across the two wire attached to the element. The elements are not to hard to change. You will need to shut the power Off and the Cold Water off. Drain the tank to get below the bottom element and you will need to get a special wrench to unscrew the old element out of the tank. Hope this Helps

Testimonial: "Thanks for the promt reply, I had the feeling it might be that but did not know how to find out. Thanks again"

A

Anonymous

  • Posted on Jan 11, 2011

SOURCE: We installed a brand new

If you have some hot water from dual-element water heater, then that tells us:
Water heater is 240Volt.
Upper element is working. If upper element is not working, then heater has NO hot water.
Reset button is not tripped.
Electricity and breaker to water heater are delivering 240Volts to heater.

Remaining suspects are:
1) Bad upper or lower thermostat: Solution: replace both thermostats for 28$.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html
2) Bad lower element: Solution test and replace element:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-water-heater-element.html
3) Loose wire or loose connection: Solution: open both covers and inspect for burning. Tighten all screws very tight.
4) Bad wire: Solution: Buy cheap multimeter from Home Center and do a 30 minute troubleshoot of entire water heater before replacing any parts:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html
When testing for voltage, rotate multimeter dial to 240-250-277VAC
When testing elements or continuity, rotate multimeter dial to Ohms.

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Self igniting hot water heater won't reset.

Today's water heaters have sealed combustion chamber and piezo igniter.
If igniter is bad, then water heater will not light... replace igniter.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html#pilot
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-light-gas-water-heater.html

Gene h

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

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How do I replace the thermocouple on Maytag hot water heater

Could be thermocouple.
Might also be lack of air supply, or low gas pressure, or bad gas control valve, or tripped FV system due to lack of air supply:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-thermocouple.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

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Atwood G6A manual water heater had gas flare up around the control knob when lighting the pilot. Unit is about 9 years old so repair or replace? works OK & no gas smell.

The gas control is leaking gas around the knob?
The gas control needs to be replaced before causing explosion and/or fire.
Gas control has identifying marks on side.
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Water is leaking from a whole in the top of the water heater what is the cause

If water heater is leaking out of a hole, then tank is rusted out and needs to be replaced.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Leaking-water-heater.html

First thing is protect yourself.
Tank could rupture.
Turn off power
-Electric heater: turn off circuit breaker
-Gas heater: turn knob from ON to pilot, so pilot light stays lit.
Open bathtub spout on hot side and release pressure.

Now you're save.
When you need hot water, turn heater on for 1 hour, use hot water, then turn heater off again.

You can limp along like this for a while until heater is replaced.

I buy water heaters at Lowes, Ace, Home Depot, Sears.
Look for scratch and dent.
Look for same size that you have now.
manufactured homes require heater that is made for that application.
Propane and natural gas heaters have different burner.

Always offer 10% less than asking price on any water heater.
You need teflon tape, 10" pipe wrench, new flexible water connectors, and a drip pan, and maybe insulation blanket.

Read how to install gas water heater.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html
To install electric water heater, open link above because some things are same for both gas and electric.
Difference with electric is there is no gas line, and you connect wires same way that they came off.
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It is leaking out of the top. not out of the hot or cold valves but out of a nut by the cold side.

Your tank is rusted out and needs to be replaced.
Link below is a troubleshoot for leaking water heater.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Leaking-water-heater.html

Protect yourself first:
If your tank is rusted, there is danger of rupture.
My friend welded his leaking tank, but he assumes the risk.
Ruptured tank can cause massive damage and water runs until it is shut off.

Hot water tank is under pressure because hot water expands and pushes against tank wall.
Turn off water to tank.
Turn off power supply:
Electric: turn off circuit breaker.
Gas: rotate knob to pilot so pilot stays lit but burner will not fire. To turn back on, rotate knob to ON.
Open hot side bathtub valve and relieve pressure on tank.

You can limp by with rusted tank by turning water heater on when hot water is needed.
Shower uses 5-9 gallons hot water
Bath uses 12-15 gallon hot water
Ordinary gas heater makes 41 gallons hot water per hour
Ordinary electric heater makes 20 gallons hot water per hour.

I buy water heaters at Lowes, Home Depot, Ace.
Look for scratch and dent models.
Buy drip pan for water heater.
Wrap electric heater totally with insulation except TP valve.
Buy new flexible connectors for water lines.
Offer 15% less than marked price on tank, because the store makes money on additional items.

> Most people can install their own electric heater since you just connect water pipes and electric wire, and it's done. Read link below since there are tips that help you buy and install electric.
> Generally people are nervous about installing gas water heater, so step-by-step instructions are shown on link below. Remember gas line is under less pressure than water line, so if you can install a water pipe, you can install gas line to water heater with crescent wrench, and soapy water to check for leaks.
How to install gas water heater:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html

Add a comment for more free help.
Also take advantage of fixya phone service.
For a price, fixya expert speaks with you over phone while you work on water heater, or any do-it-yourself project.
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I have a Rheem 40 gal. tank that is leaking water front the top where the vent stack is. It is pouring out. Can it be repaired?

A leaking water heater cannot be repaired, assuming it's the tank leaking and not nearby water pipe.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-leaking.html

First thing is to protect your property from catastrophic tank failure where tank ruptures and water runs until it is shut off:
Tanks are under pressure when they are hot.
Close cold water shut-off located above tank.
Turn control knob to 'pilot' so pilot is lit but burner will not turn on.
Open hot side on tub for few moments to relieve tank pressure.

Now your property is safe.
You need a new water heater.
In mean time, gas water heater makes 41 gallons hot water per hour.
Shower used 5-9 gallons hot water.
Bath uses 10-15 gallons hot water.
You can turn on water heater for short stretches and limp by until you get a new heater.

Steps for installing gas water heater:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html
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How to change bad thermocouple on reliance gas hot waterheater reliance 606

it is important to turn off

the gas supply to the water heater at the manual gas shut-off

valve. This valve is typically located beside the water heater.

Note the position of the shut-off valve in the open/on position

then proceed to turn it off.

2. On the lower front of the water heater locate the combination

gas control valve/thermostat. Depress and hold

the lock tab located under the gas control knob on the right.

Rotate the gas control knob on the combination gas control

valve/thermostat clockwise until "OFF" aligns with the mark on

the front of the gas valve. Once the gas supply has been shutoff,

remove outer door. 3. Using a 1/4" nut driver or socket loosen the two screws securing

the manifold door assembly until they are free. Do not

totally remove the screws and plastic retainer washers from

the manifold door. The screws and retainer washers will be

needed to reattach the manifold door. 4. In this step, the thermocouple, manifold tube, pilot tube and

igniter wire will be disconnected from the combination gas

control valve/thermostat. Using a 7/16" wrench

disconnect the thermocouple (left-hand thread) and pilot tube

(right-hand thread). Using a 3/4" wrench disconnect the manifold

tube (right-hand thread). Carefully pull the igniter wire from

the igniter button.

5. Grasp the manifold tube and push down slightly to free the

manifold tube, pilot tube, and thermocouple from the combination

gas control valve/thermostat. when installation is complete and gas is back on, You should be able to relight the pilot and the functionality of your gas hot water heater should be restored.

1helpful
1answer

Water heater heats water, but not long enough or sometimes not hot enough. The hot water runs out too fast, does not provide hot water continually

The first thing I would do is turn up temp control on gas valve.Control is located on front of gas valve at the bottom front of heater.They usually have a indicator dial on front with an arrow pointing direction.Turn dial to higher setting when burner is not on and this should turn burner on and provide hotter water. The control is normally turned clockwise to increase temperature.If control is already turned all the way up then water heater may need to be replaced.Depending on water quality in your area heater may have a large amount of mineral build up and it may not be capable of producing enough or hot enough water. If this the case all I can suggest is to try to drain tank and flush some of the deposits out. If you have installation manual it will give you instructions on how to do this. If not see if you have working shut off valve on cold water line ,if it works shut it off and connect drain hose to drain valve on bottom right side of gas valve. Put hose to floor drain or sump basin if you have one. Turn control knob on top of gas valve from on to pilot,this will leave pilot light on but prevent burner from working while draining. Open drain valve ,flow rate may be slow or not at all. Open hot water side of some faucet to provide air to help draining. You may try opening water supply valve to heater a few times to aid in draining. If you can get it to drain,shut drain valve off when done,turn cold water supply back on and shut off hot water outlet. Then when tank is full open hot water vavle to bleed air out of heater and piping. Turn control knob on top of gas valve back to on position. This should bring burner back on .It will take about 1/2 hour to heat. If you can't get it to drain or this doesn't help you might consider getting a new 40 gallon heater. Hope this helps. Thanks
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I have no hot water, the pilot light is on help!

First try turning the knob all the way to "pilot" then turn it all the way to its hottest setting.

It sounds like the thermostat/sensor is stuck. This may jar it into working again.

Also look for any leakage or water around the burner.

You will probably have to replace the gas valve in the near future.

Also try tapping the side of the gas valve.
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Bosch 1600h NG not heating water hot enough

it sounds to me like the dip tube has failed. this is a plastic tube that is inside the water heater on the cold side. It is designed to put the incoming cold water at the bottem of the tank allowing heated water out at the top. when this tube deteriorates the cold water mixes at the top of the tank instead of the bottom. a new dip tube is about 5 bucks but must be inserted on the cold side by someone with plumbing experience.
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