Water Heater Kaputsky

[jyl]

Hmm. No hot water. Beeeeg family crisis.

Go downstairs. The hot water heater is silent. No fan noise.



But while the fan is not turning, the fan motor case is hot. I turn it off, and ponder.



Big picture. I have a relatively newish heater, about 10 years old.



Should I be able to fix this by disassembling the fan and lubricating bearings? By sourcing the motor (where? Physical store? Online?), replacing it (how?), and re-booting the heater (where's the Ctrl key?)

Or, call a repairman, on the theory that time is money especially when that time is spent taking cold showers and washing dishes in cold water?

Basically, I'd like to DIY this if it is fast . . . but unlike with an old Porsche or vintage Peugeot, the wifey is not going to have a lot of patience if it involves multi days.

[944Larry]

Grainger on the motor I guess. The replacement info is on it. I've never seen a water heater with a blower on it!

[Hugh R]

I'm guessing the fan is because the stack is very long and you need a push on the exhaust gases. I'll also guess its interlocked to the burner so if the fan doesn't work the heater won't go off. Grainger is a good bet. Try bypassing the interlock and see if the burner will light off, or it could be the other way around, meaning your thermocouple is dead (the thing that senses the heat on the pilot light) and allows you to light the pilot)>

[tabs]

First you have to accurately diagnose the problem and then you have to get the parts...U will probably have to order them from the mfger...as the plumbing parts houses won't be carrying the parts you need. then you have to install said parts...This is OK if time is NOT of essence..

I know this because that is what I did when I had a problem with my WHer...it was $200 for the part (gas regulator on the front of the heater went out) and 50 for the labour..Also if you have Gate vales on the turn off....they it will likely break and have to be replaced with a simple lever turn valve...that was another 100.

So you can just call out a Plumber and pay the freight to repair...or buy a NEW ONE with a 12 year warranty..you do not want the one with the shorter warranty period...that is going to cost a bit more than 1000 if you buy from Home Depot and have them install..they guarntee that they will have the lowest cost of installation..

Here it depends on how old the WHer is...more than 8 to 10, maybe it is time for a new one...

[tabs]

The Thermo coupler is the first thing to check and or replace as it is a 10 part at HD...and is easy to do

[lm6y]

My furnace has the same type of blower setup. When the bearings got a little grindy it was just enough to keep it from tripping the vacuum interlock switch, and firing up. Be sure to use electric motor oil, and NOT 3 in 1 oil. BIG difference, although 3 in 1 makes electrical motor oil, it's in the BLUE bottle. Worth a shot, and it's cheap.

[rick-l]

It says sealed ball bearings. Apparently they are no longer sealed.

Is that a shaded pole motor with no capacitor?

[jyl]

Okay so - as we leave for weekend - when I get back on Sunday night, try to find and lube some bearings, as step #1. Got it!

[plumb4u2]

Originally Posted by tabs

The Thermo coupler is the first thing to check and or replace as it is a 10 part at HD...and is easy to do

How is he gonna check the thermal coupling when there is no such thing on a power vent electronic ignition water heater???

Thermal couplings are used when there is a pilot light on naturally vented gas heaters

[A930Rocket]

With PVC venting, I'm guessing it's a 90% efficiency HW heater. Similar setups on HVAC's I've used.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by jyl

Okay so - as we leave for weekend - when I get back on Sunday night, try to find and lube some bearings, as step #1. Got it!

You aint gonna be able to lube those bearings unless you replace them. They're sealed as in they have seals that hold the grease in and everything else out.

And if the bearings are actually the problem (and I'm betting they are not) trying to lubricate them now would be too late and a total waste of time. You might get it to run another week, maybe. If the bearings are so trashed they're locking up the motor it's all over but the crying. But like I said, I'm betting that aint the case.


Try this: unplug it and reach in and see if the fan spins or is froze up.
If it spins freely it ain't bearings or mechanical, it's electrical and you have a problem with the windings or voltage supply or such.

[RWebb]

another option - on demand - you can get a subsidy for it & I saved $$/month when I put one in

[schwarz633]

On a furnace forced induction blower I've seen the impeller blades break loose, in which case the motor would be jammed. I'm pretty sure that the blower has to run and be proven by a pressure switch before the gas valve gets opened, so I wouldn't waste any time looking beyond the blower. If the motor was hot and wasn't turning, it's either the bearings, or like I said, the loose impeller blades jamming it.

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

I am assuming this is a gas water heater. Ten years old on the unit is rather old, it might last up to another five years if you fix it?????

Go with whole house on-demand hot water heater. Spend for a good unit, you will not regret it. The bad side effect is everyone will want to stay in the shower for hours as the water will stay hot....

It will be cheaper to operate in the long run so it will pay for itself.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by 944Larry

Grainger on the motor I guess. The replacement info is on it. I've never seen a water heater with a blower on it!

The blower is for horizontal venting. I'm planning to install one in my place because I need the space where the gravity stack currently is.

[plumb4u2]

I appreciated this internet forum for what it is but you guys simply make my head spin sometimes

"check the thermal coupling"......really???

"lube the bearings"....really????


sorry I just don't understand why people post things when they have no idea about what they are talking about


the OP will not be able to fix this himself...He is not a licensed plumber so he CAN NOT get replacement parts

come on guys this is a power vent water heater which can only be installed and serviced by pros



OP please contact a professional to give your family hot water

[RWebb]

well, in that case....

pull the infindulator out and soak it Swepco overnight - then re-solder it to the tylurium relay; spritz with Kendall and relax


We also need some more DIY surgery threads...

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by plumb4u2

I appreciated this internet forum for what it is but you guys simply make my head spin sometimes

"check the thermal coupling"......really???

"lube the bearings"....really????


sorry I just don't understand why people post things when they have no idea about what they are talking about


the OP will not be able to fix this himself...He is not a licensed plumber so he CAN NOT get replacement parts

come on guys this is a power vent water heater which can only be installed and serviced by pros



OP please contact a professional to give your family hot water

Really, Cuz I've never been a plumber, and I didn't sleep in a Holiday Inn last night, and I'd bet money I could procure any parts for that heater.....


Jeezus, quit being a tool and help the guy out. Its plumbing, not rocket science....

[plumb4u2]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Really, Cuz I've never been a plumber, and I didn't sleep in a Holiday Inn last night, and I'd bet money I could procure any parts for that heater.....


Jeezus, quit being a tool and help the guy out. Its plumbing, not rocket science....

I'm sorry but I'm not being a tool

A power vent water heater is a very specific piece of equipment and this is why you cant just walk into HD and buy one

If a gas appliance isn't installed in the proper way, would you bet your families life on it?????

Yes I know I am just a dumb plumber but I make it my business that you WILL WAKE UP in the morning

Or maybe the government SHOULD just change its laws and let anyone put one in


AGAIN my advise to the OP is let someone who knows what they are doing repair or replace the water heater.....My .02

really Porsche4life you expect my to help someone over the internet to fix an appliance that could KILL his family in a couple of hrs

[Gogar]

Originally Posted by plumb4u2

A power vent water heater is a very specific piece of equipment and this is why you cant just walk into HD and buy one

Energy Star 40 gal. Tall 6 Year 40,000 BTU Natural Gas Power Vent Water Heater-GG40T06PVT at The Home Depot

Just fanning the flames for you guys.

There is something to be said for hiring a pro when you're 'just not quite sure', like jyl is in this situation.