Have a Reliance model 640 DORS,bought end of 2008, replaced both heating elements 3 months ago, was told that is what was needed,water at that time was getting very hot, really too hot, after changing with what ace salesperson said was the element i neede the problem stopped, noow three months later water would get burning hot, now i have no hot water, pushed the reset button on top element and no luck.check at power meter and when heater is off,meter not hardly moving, when i turn heater on meter gose very fast as if the water heater is working but still no hot water.what do i do, thanks GC

SOURCE: 50 gal. Reliance electric hot water w/bottom element problems

Willard when you say it throws the reset button,do you mean the breaker on your fuse box of your home?
If you mean that then yes it could be a bad element.The bottom element takes all the abuse on a electric hot water heater. They can short out,and need to be replaced.

Posted on Dec 01, 2009

Sean Lavelle

• 21 Answers

SOURCE: Water Too Hot

needs new thermostat(s) If the whole tank is heating( next time it trips, before using any hot water check the lower tank thru the lower element access(breaker off) If the lower tank is hot-you need a new lower thermostat. if just the upper part of the tank is heating -you need an upper thermostat.

Posted on Jan 26, 2010

SOURCE: 1992 Reliance electric water heater model 501 has

Check the breaker and top thermostat and make sure they are not tripped. Move onto replacing elements if above is not the problem.
Turn water and power off to heater and attach a water hose to bottom of heater to drain down tank. May have to open hot side on a facuet to get it to drain.
Once drained remove elements with 1 1/2" found at local hardware stores. once elements removed and new ones in place. Turn water on and get the air out of the system. Once water is flowing from the hot side from all of facuet's in house.
Once all air is out now yaou are resady to turn power onto heater.

Posted on Oct 10, 2010

Christopher a Martin

• 455 Answers

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.

Posted on Oct 15, 2010

SOURCE: how do I change the

Buy elements at local hardware store or home center, like Lowes
Look at label on side of tank.
Label shows element wattage.
Element is also printed on end of element in tiny letters-numbers.
Typical elements are 4500 and 5500 watts.
Tank needs 10 gauge wire and 30 amp breaker for 5500 watt element.

Water heaters are fully repairable by homeowner.

1) Have you tested water heater to see if element is problem? You need cheap multi-meter from Home Depot.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

2) To change element
a) turn off power
b) drain water from drain valve ... once it starts draining, loosen element slightly while tank still has weight to hold against you turning element wrench.
Here's what to do if water heater won't drain:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-will-not-drain.html
c) open covers on tank, remove element using element-wrench from hardware store or home center.
If element won't come out:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-remove-old-water-heater-element.html
d) Clean out tank if needed.
e) Replace element.
f) Fill tank entirely with water before turning on power or element will burn out.
g) Once tank is filled, and water flows steady out of tub spout, turn on power.
Each steps above is shown on following link:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-clean-sediment-out-of-electric-water-heater.html

3) You need to buy some things:
Screw-in type (not bolt-in type) Element that matches wattage on tank label. New Element comes with washer.
Inexpensive Element wrench.
Inexpensive multimeter if you are going to test parts first.
Some pieces of pipe and hose if tank sediment needs to be cleaned out.
Washing machine hose if tank will not drain (return after job is done).

4) Also:
You need flat tip and phillips screwdriver.
Lighting to work on tank
Some WD-40 if element is stuck in place.
Garden hose to drain tank.
Shop vac and duct tape if you need to vacuum out sediment.
Tarp to protect floor and carpet
Maybe a knife to cut back insulation on wire if wire is burned at element.

Web links above go through entire process step by step.
Add a comment if you need more help, I'll be back around 5 CST

Posted on Nov 30, 2010