I bought a new house and the water heater has a circulating pump with a Taco 265 timer. No instruction manual so I can't figure out how to set the timer. You wouldn't happen to have a little instruction sheet?

Copy following link for instructions how to set analog timer:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-set-timers.html
Also decide if you want to use timer or use built-in thermostat operation:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-recirculation-system.html
Add a comment and describe timer in detail so correct identification can be made

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

Your question is very big because recirculation systems have a lot of parts and options.

Please open following link for re-circulation system resources that show pictures of how the system works. After reading information, add a comment with more questions.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-recirculation-system.html
The page shows two different types of Taco timers. One timer is programmable and the other timer is called analog timer where the timer dial rotates just like a clock. Small pins located on dial face are set inward or outward. As the dial rotates, the pins move a tiny on-off lever that turns the pump on-off. The pump can also be set to operate thermostatically. You choose either timed operation or thermostatic operation using slide-switch located under timer dial.

Look at, and read information on link above. Try some things on your timer so you are familiar. And then add a comment with specific description of your Taco timer, and include what you have done so far.

Upvote the help.
And take advantage of fixya expert assistance live.
For a price, expert works with you while you work on timer or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

1) Open following link to read about re-circulation systems:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-recirculation-system.html

2) Image below show typical FM1 analog timer dial with pins:
Move pins with fingernail or small tool.
To test if pins need to be moved in or out, set pins each direction and manually rotate dial clockwise and listen when pump turns on-off.
How timer operates: clock motor rotates dial continually, pins on dial move lever that turns circuit on-off.
To set current time, manually rotate dial clockwise until current time lines up with arrowhead located on inner dial.
Some timers have a selector switch: move switch to Auto, or Timer, or Timer ON. Again you can manually rotate dial and check which setting is correct.


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Usually when these motors slow down, they get hot and burn out.
You can try taking it off and cleaning with CLR, but normally when they stop working, they do not revive.
I am not sure what the warranty policy is from Taco, or if Taco has a parts list.

I think following link takes you to the Taco website:
You can contact them for warranty/parts information
http://www.taco-hvac.com/en/products/Hot-Link%AE%20Domestic%20Hot%20Water%20Recirculation%20System/products.html?current_category=398

Link below has information on recirculation systems with links to manuals and competitive products
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-recirculation-system.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 pump/timer or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

1) Open link below so we are talking about same type of household system
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-recirculation-system.html

2) 15 minute interval is misleading.
Pins located on timer dial divide 24-hour day into 15 minute intervals.
You set timer pins and decide which 15 minute intervals you want ON-or-OFF. Do this by moving pins inward or outward with your thumb or ink pen. To check settings, manually rotate timer dial clockwise and listen for pump turning on-off..
Set timer pins for 4 consecutive 15 minute intervals, then timer runs for 1 hour.
After pins are set, then manually rotate dial to set current time.
Dial rotates as time passes, and pins click a lever that turns pump on-off.

3) 5-year Life span. Like all things plumbing, if you have hard water or sand-n-dirt in water lines, then pipes clog. And pumps clog.
Once motor begins to slow down, it overheats and burns out.
Water softener can keep sediment out of lines, but shortens life of water heater.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Clean-sediment-out-of-water-heater.html

4) Real question: do you need a circulation pump? Do you need hot water at your faucet? Can you schedule hot water use, or does recirculation pump have to run several hours per day?
Recirculation pumps causes water heater to run more, the pump consumes 25+ watts depending on pump, and water savings claims of 15,000 gallons per year are fabrication.
Realistic water savings is 700-2000 gallons per year, assuming several folks in the home use water sporadically across a full day, and each time water is used people are waiting for hot water. It also assumes that you never want cold water at the tap and that refrigeration ice maker line prefers hot water to cold.

5) 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 pump/timer or any do-it-yourself project.
We are always less expensive than a service call.

Hi,

Here is a tip that I wrote about heating circulator pump problems.
It will give you the information you need to learn about your circulator pump problems and solutions for it.

Heating Circulating Water Pump Problems

heatman101

//

Hi,
The pump has air in it and you need to purge out the air..

Here is a tip that I wrote about heating circulator pump problems.
It will give you the information you need to learn about your circulator pump problems and solutions for it.

Heating Circulating Water Pump Problems

heatman101

All of the white pegs on the outside of the dial are on and off times. If they are pushed out they are on and pushed toward the center is off. You want to set those for the times you would usually used hot water. There is a white arrow on the face. You want to rotate the face clockwise until the time of day is infront of the arrow to set the time. Last but not least there is a switch on the right side of the dial it has three settings, on off and timer. If you set it to the clock the pump will turn on and off at the times that were selected on the face. You can also turn it to the constant on position and it will run constantly. I would suggest flipping it to constant on and wait a few minutes to see if it fixes your hot water problems. If not the pump might be bad.

That is just a defective timer.

I was having the same problem and came accross these instructions. The following link is a PDF file. The first page relates to an analog timer and the following pages relate to a more advanced digital one. Good luck.

http://www.taco-hvac.com/uploads/FileLibrary/102-067.pdf