Have a 40 gal rheem gas water heater with an electric starter...pilot will not light(and cant light manually)doesnt look like there is a thermocoupler,as i bought one with some advice and the part does not look close

Some of the old gas water heaters used electric water heater thermostat.
Just use a standard thermostat.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html

http://waterheatertimer.org/http://waterheatertimer.org/Add-another-thermostat-to-gas-or-electric-water-heater.html

http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-gas-water-heater.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

I would first look at the owners manual and or the schematics. You can probably find it on line if you have the model and serial number. I would then call a Rheem dealer or contact the company to see what that error code is. Personally I wouldn't try to fix it myself because it's gas and if you screw up you could blow youself up or burn the house down. That's why I buy electric water heaters and a water softener. I may pay a little more in electric but with the softner to remove the lime, I never have to change an element, only add salt about every 3 months.

does the pilot go out when you let off the button? Or does the pilot not light at all?

If you dont get any gas at all to the pilot the the gas valve is bad.
Of you get a pilot light that goes out when you let go of the button then the therno couple is not reading the flame (needs adjustment so the pilot flame touches it)
did you kink the new thermocouple? or over tighten it at the gas valve.
if it was kinked its now toast,cant straighten them. If kinked and starightened the fluid inside has broken the inner seal and wont work.

The Rheem MR50245 is an electric water heater if has no pilot flame.

In my first 15 years as a plumber I never saw a pilot light issue on a gas WH that a new thermocouple didn't fix. Since the government mandated a redesign of the fire box, I've seen three that nothing ever fixed - two Whirlpools and one (my usually ultrareliable) AO Smith - including replacing the entire burner assembly and the regulator. And I've heard of many others.

Check the thermocouple connection for tight. (Don't strip.. threaded soft metals.)
Check the microvents on the bottom ? of the burn box for dust, even if it is new.
Call Reliant and demand new units until you get one that works.
Try another model. Consider a 52gal electric.

I've always recommended gas over electric, and AO Smith and Rheem were my recommendations (and "Reliants" were "lumber yard" water heaters. Sorry.)

Since the mandated redesigns, I don't really have a "proven reliable" model to suggest. I increasingly believe the restricted air flow design is the ultimate culprit, including any changes to the thermocouple/regulator construct to accommodate the restricted air flow design. Just my hunch.

Offered for what its worth. -- plumber in Indiana.

Check the thermocoupling connection at gas valve. Thermocouple may be defective or not in the pilot flame. Pilot may be partially clogged or improper gas pressure.

Hi .. if this is a brand new heater, then you probably need to have the gas line bled. This means getting all the air out of the gas line feeding the burner. This can be done by constantly trying to light the burner or poilot . or it can be bled down by a HVAC tech.

The pilots have to warm up, hold that button down for a min, then let it go, it should stay on. Then crank up the pressure, it should light. If you are worried about it, call your gas man, he will check it out. Hope this helps.

change the thermcouple

change your thermo couple if the pilot light will not stay lit


Btw, I’m available to help over the phone in case u need at https://www.6ya.com/expert/sean_54c3a3dc48a7773c