Whirlpool water heater repair questions

[Onboard 2.0 9083]

Water heater died yesterday, it's less than 10 years old.  The pilot light won't re ignite . Tank's fine, so it's either the pilot assembly (which they make a water heater tune up kit replacement part for $55) or the main gas control valve thermostat is bad ($150 replacement part).

The question is, how do you know which part is bad ?  Do you just do the process of elimination thing, and spend the $55 for the tune up kit, and hope that works before spending $150+ for the much more expensive control valve ??  Seems like the plan.

[freyguy 4281]

It’s usually the pilot light assembly.  Specifically, the flame detector TC goes bad.

[Onboard 2.0 9083]

6 minutes ago, freyguy said:

It’s usually the pilot light assembly.  Specifically, the flame detector TC goes bad.

That's what I'm seeing on the interwebz.

[freyguy 4281]

Unless you've got an electronics background and know how to diagnose the actuator on the valve, go with the cheaper fix first.

[Nonbryan 173]

What's the cost to go all new?  At 10 years old that may be a good option.

[CooterBrown 18015]

$1400 installed from Lowe’s is what I paid 5 years ago. Austin is about $500 more than normal if you have gas because the city requires an extra excess flow valve.

[TexasBeta 1265]

$1400 installed from Lowe’s is what I paid 5 years ago. Austin is about $500 more than normal if you have gas because the city requires an extra excess flow valve.

This is correct. Replaced a 10 yo water heater last week. 2k including COA flow valve.

Same symptoms as outlined above. New gas assembly was 1k with labor and no guarantee that would fix the issue.

[Nonbryan 173]

33 minutes ago, CooterBrown said:

$1400 installed from Lowe’s is what I paid 5 years ago. Austin is about $500 more than normal if you have gas because the city requires an extra excess flow valve.

Gotta love the COA!

[CooterBrown 18015]

Just now, Nonbryan said:

Gotta love the COA!

It's especially stupid since your gas service line to the meter already has an excess flow valve on it which regulates it down to 1/4 pound psi. 

[Onboard 2.0 9083]

Yeah not buying a new WH.  Part to fix is looking like less than $60.  Can be swapped out in about 15 minutes.

[Horn_Spanker 524]

Go buy an $8 thermocouple

[Onboard 2.0 9083]

7 hours ago, Horn_Spanker said:

Go buy an $8 thermocouple

Ordered a new thermocouple yesterday supposed to be here tomorrow.

[Gil Bang 25984]

they sell those at lowes and HD

[Onboard 2.0 9083]

7 hours ago, Gil Bang said:

they sell those at lowes and HD

You'd think so,  but not one Lowes or Home Depot in a 100 mile radius had one for our WH.  AO Smith online, here tomorrow. Getting tired of boiling water to wash up in the bathroom sink

[freyguy 4281]

I ended up replacing both of my AO Smith's over the years.  Pieces of shit.

[Onboard 2.0 9083]

Just now, freyguy said:

I ended up replacing both of my AO Smith's over the years.  Pieces of shit.

Selling the house in the Spring, so it'll be somebody else's issue then. Good thing I have a flare tool, the pilot tube doesn't come with a fitting attached.

[freyguy 4281]

Good plan.

[Onboard 2.0 9083]

Just now, freyguy said:

Good plan.

Oh yeah, once the water heater goes it's time to sell.

[Armybrat 40856]

Our 15 year old 50 gallon natural gas water heater just pooped out over the weekend.

looked at some Rheem 40-50 gallon units for around $500- $600 at HD. Their contractor just came by and gave me an estimate of $2,437 to install a 40 gallon tank Included), replacing all the copper tubing, installing a pan w/ new dripline to the outside.

The 15 year old 50 gallon tank was $900 installed. Gottdamn..

Have another estimate guy from Christianson (original installer) coming out monday 

Edited June 11, 2019 by Armybrat

[Gil Bang 25984]

WTF?  

That's crazy.  I installed one a couple of weeks back here at the house.  I replaced the valve at the cold "in" line, new braided steel supply lines, bracing (earthquake required in CA), new gas valve and gas line, and TP valve piping.  I was done in 90 mins or so.    

Is there something particularly exotic about your setup?

[Updawg 2279]

Doubt it. Just a rip-off quote from HD.

[Armybrat 40856]

Yeah, it is in a closet in the corner of our garage. And maybe I look like a sucker?

[deadshank 24653]

24 minutes ago, Armybrat said:

Yeah, it is in a closet in the corner of our garage. And maybe I look like a sucker?

They prey on the old and infirm

[Armybrat 40856]

{raises hand}

[deadshank 24653]

[Gil Bang 25984]

Guy across the street is a super cool Egyption dude.  Great neighbor, but not handy at all.  One evening he calls me and says please come over right away.  His WH tank ruptured and he didn't know how  to shut the supply off.   I get over there; the WH is in the garage, but it's on a shelf ABOVE the fucking washer and dryer. The bottom of the WH is about 5' off the ground. 

I climbed up and found the shutoff, but there's no fucking way I was gonna offer to do the swap for him.  If it were a normal deal, I would have done so. 

He called a plumber, and the plumber called another guy for help. 

Goofiest shit I've ever seen. 

[Armybrat 40856]

25 minutes ago, deadshank said:

I wear only polo shirts.

[deadshank 24653]

8 minutes ago, Armybrat said:

I wear only polo shirts.

The blue shirt is a Polo.

[Armybrat 40856]

2 minutes ago, deadshank said:

The blue shirt is a Polo.

I lost my trans of thought with your reply.

[dcbc 14496]

Sometimes, the thermocouple tip gets corroded.  A little sandpaper will fix it right up . . . sometimes.  Worked on the ignitor on our gas fireplace.

[TwiceHorn 31512]

I have some gotdamn American Standard, there's no standard thermocouple, it's a big fucking assembly requiring a gas connection.  I aint fucking with that.  Fuck them right in their ass.

Do tankless last 10+ years?

Edited June 11, 2019 by TwiceHorn

[mulletpelini 5214]

3 hours ago, Gil Bang said:

Guy across the street is a super cool Egyption dude.  Great neighbor, but not handy at all.  One evening he calls me and says please come over right away.  His WH tank ruptured and he didn't know how  to shut the supply off.   I get over there; the WH is in the garage, but it's on a shelf ABOVE the fucking washer and dryer. The bottom of the WH is about 5' off the ground. 

I climbed up and found the shutoff, but there's no fucking way I was gonna offer to do the swap for him.  If it were a normal deal, I would have done so. 

He called a plumber, and the plumber called another guy for help. 

Goofiest shit I've ever seen. 

Never been to Louisiana huh

[Gil Bang 25984]

58 minutes ago, TwiceHorn said:

I have some gotdamn American Standard, there's no standard thermocouple, it's a big fucking assembly requiring a gas connection.  I aint fucking with that.  Fuck them right in their ass.

Do tankless last 10+ years?

It's fairly new tech.  I'd imagine the jury is still out on that. 

[Gil Bang 25984]

1 minute ago, mulletpelini said:

Never been to Louisiana huh

Unfortunately, I have.  My son lives there, but I don't recall seeing his WH.  Is that SOP out there?

[mulletpelini 5214]

Not necessarily, but seeing goofy shit is.

Hey since we're on the subject, anyone had good luck using an electric heater to heat just one bath, like a master bath for example?  I'd really like to take a 20 minute shower someday at home if I feel like shit and not lose hot water for once.  

Edited June 12, 2019 by mulletpelini
hot water shit

[Gil Bang 25984]

shower shitter?

[William_Cannon 86]

Our 15 year old 50 gallon natural gas water heater just pooped out over the weekend.
looked at some Rheem 40-50 gallon units for around $500- $600 at HD. Their contractor just came by and gave me an estimate of $2,437 to install a 40 gallon tank Included), replacing all the copper tubing, installing a pan w/ new dripline to the outside.
The 15 year old 50 gallon tank was $900 installed. Gottdamn..
Have another estimate guy from Christianson (original installer) coming out monday 

It should be less than $2k especially if easy access. I got a quote for $1.7k a couple of years ago and my tank is in the attic.

[Gil Bang 25984]

9 minutes ago, William_Cannon said:

It should be less than $2k especially if easy access. I got a quote for $1.7k a couple of years ago and my tank is in the attic.

 

Seriously?    Brat says "500-600.  Let's call it 600

When I did mine, I spent another 120 on the valve, supply lines, some copper, straps, etc..  

So fuck, let's call it 750 all-in for materials. 

So, over 1200 for installation?   Fuck,  I can fly to Austin and do the job for less than that.  600/hr for labor?  
It's not that fucking hard people. 

 

[dcbc 14496]

We spent about $900 about 5 years ago (maybe it was 7 years ago).  At the time, we were told that prices on the water heater itself were about to go up due to new requirements aimed at making them last longer.  Since we got one of the kind apparently not built to last, I'm hoping against hope for 10 years.

Edited June 12, 2019 by dcbc

[luke duke 6413]

 
Seriously?    Brat says "500-600.  Let's call it 600
When I did mine, I spent another 120 on the valve, supply lines, some copper, straps, etc..  
So fuck, let's call it 750 all-in for materials. 
So, over 1200 for installation?   Fuck,  I can fly to Austin and do the job for less than that.  600/hr for labor?  
It's not that fucking hard people. 
 

I should have been a plumber. Replace 2 water heaters a day and make about $500K/yr.

[Onboard 2.0 9083]

6 minutes ago, luke duke said:

 

I should have been a plumber. Replace 2 water heaters a day and make about $500K/yr.

 

It's not too late.......If only you have the courage !!  Well...... do ya......????

Edited June 12, 2019 by Onboard 2.0

[Cheeseweasel 26438]

6 minutes ago, luke duke said:

I should have been a plumber. Replace 2 water heaters a day and make about $500K/yr.

 

Less hookers/beer = $100k/year. Not bad.

[Jkwellborn 6713]

Yeah, it is in a closet in the corner of our garage. And maybe I look like a sucker?

if it’s in a closet and they can fit it through the door, they’re fucking you dry. I mean, at your age, that’s gonna happen anyway, but they’re not offering lube.

Guy across the street is a super cool Egyption dude.  Great neighbor, but not handy at all.  One evening he calls me and says please come over right away.  His WH tank ruptured and he didn't know how  to shut the supply off.   I get over there; the WH is in the garage, but it's on a shelf ABOVE the fucking washer and dryer. The bottom of the WH is about 5' off the ground. 
I climbed up and found the shutoff, but there's no fucking way I was gonna offer to do the swap for him.  If it were a normal deal, I would have done so. 
He called a plumber, and the plumber called another guy for help. 
Goofiest shit I've ever seen. 

Did you tell that story on the old site? Or did someone have a similar story?

[Gil Bang 25984]

maybe.  I don't remember but I may have.