How to change a thermostat on reliance 606 hot water heater. water is getting too hot and there is no sediment build up. also water heater is only 4.5 years old.

Reliance Water Heater Literature ' Owner's Manuals ...

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Welcome to the Reliance Water Heaters Owner's Manual and Installation ... 9 40 EKRT - 40 Gallon Tall Self-Cleaning Electric Water Heater - 9 Year Warranty . ..... 10 50 DHPST - 50 Gallon Electric Heat Pump Water Heater - 10 Year Warranty .

How to light the pilot on a Reliance 606 water heater ...

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How to light the pilot on a Reliance 606 water heater ... How to fixwater heater, will not stay lit - sealed combustion no hot water - Duration: ...

Reliance Water Heaters - Consumer Affairs

www.consumeraffairs.com > Homeowners > Bath & Plumbing

Rating: 1.6 - ‎84 votes
I purchased a Reliance 606 water heater in 2010. ... That they don't TELL you there's areset button or that I'm having conspiracy thoughts ... After several attempts, I was able to relight it. ... It's heading to the junk pile and I will purchase a new reliable (NotReliance) ... Checked breaker and changed breaker still no hot water!

Thermostat is bad.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-gas-water-heater.html

Gene

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thermostat.Check Settings,and if you turned it up or down while power was still on, thenchange them both. also t+p valve may be weak from temp overshoot.Change it if it continues after replacing thermostats

It is probably the thermostat. I would suggest replacing that next.

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

If dual element water heater has some hot water, that says certain things.
-Water heater is getting 240V from breaker.
-Upper element is working
-Neither element is shorted to ground
-Factory insulation and covers are in place and thermostat not exposed to cool air.
-ECO reset is not tripped and there is not overheating event.
-Water pipes and heater are not clogged.

Here are remaining suspects:
1) Leaking faucet or TP valve is leaking hot water continuously. Check for leaks.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-TP-valve.html

2) Loose wire/ bad wire between upper and lower sections of water heater: remove covers and check for loose wire and signs of high heat and burning.
Also do full troubleshoot:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-water-heater.html

3) Bad lower element
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html

4) Sediment build up bottom of tank:
Sediment build-up causes lower part of tank to heat slowly, so upper part of tank can cool, and tank has less hot water.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Clean-sediment-out-of-water-heater.html

5) Bad upper or lower thermostat: Replace both thermostats for $28.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html

To preserve tank and save money long term
http://waterheatertimer.org/Replace-anode-rod.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/9-ways-to-save-with-water-heater.html

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 while you work on water heater or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

Reliance 606 240Volt water heater.
This water heater is fully repairable by homeowner

You have some hot water so that says upper element is good.
It also says electricity to water heater is good.
Also your reset button is not tripped. water heater is not overheating.
And covers and insulation are installed properly on water heater.
Water pipes are not clogged, and tank is not leaking water on floor.

Here are the suspects:
1) Leaking faucet or TP valve is running hot water continuously. Check for leaks.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-TP-valve.html

2) Loose wire/ bad wire: remove covers and check for loose wire and signs of high heat and burning.
Also do full troubleshoot:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-water-heater.html

3) Bad lower element, possibly due to sediment build up: Test element.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-clean-sediment-out-of-electric-water-heater.html

4) Bad upper or lower thermostat: Replace both thermostats for $28.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-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.

Reliance is AO Smith company
http://www.aosmith.com/OperatingUnits/Detail.aspx?id=138&ekmensel=c580fa7b_12_0_138_3

Age of water heater is on serial number located on label on side of tank. First digit is letter, next two digits are the year. So C04 is 2004. Label also shows wattage of elements inside tank.

606 water heater at Reliance
http://www.reliancewaterheaters.com/prod/e-606.html

PDF spec sheet below shows your tank takes 4500 watt element.
I buy ordinary screw-in type 4500 watt elements for $20 at Lowes, I can't remember price exactly because they're inexpensive.
http://www.reliancewaterheaters.com/lit/spec/electric/R606E0510.pdf

Typical 606 manual:
http://www.reliancewaterheaters.com/lit/om/manuals/185761-000.pdf
Shows element and cleaning/replacement page 20.
We know your lower element is burned out because plumber checked and said problem is element.
We know upper element is working because you have some hot water.
If upper element is bad, then tank has no hot water.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-it-works.html

Photo from manual shows typical element that I buy at Lowes or hardware store:
Manual does not mention special element required.
Your element burned out probably because sediment is built up inside tank, and not because stock elements are inferior.
Is your electrician/plumber also going to clean sediment out of tank?
Changing element and cleaning sediment will restore full efficiency to your tank.


Here are step-by-step images that show do-it-yourself, so you can see if this is correct project for you:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-water-heater-element.html
Page shows how to drain tank, replace element, and has links to troubleshooting if you want to test parts and learn more about your water heater.
Also see:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Replace-anode-rod.html

you need to replace the thermostats. the elements are working, as your water is getting hot.

I would replace both upper and lower thermostats. be sure to set the temps the same for both.

the thermostats sit against the tank and read the tank temperature. if one is malfunctioning, they will over heat the water, causing you to get severe hot water.

also as a precaution, I would replace the temperature and pressure relief valve. if your water is getting that hot, and this has not "popped" then it is time to replace it.

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.