Eractic Power Vent Gas Water Heater

Should unscrew and disconnect easily for replacement.
Call manufacturer
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html#blower

http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-manufacturers.html

Gene

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

The power vent motor squeals when burner is activated?
See if you can oil the power vent motor.
http://waterheatertimer.org/images/Anode-under-blower-200.jpg

If the water heater squeals when water is turned on, then remove heat trap nipples and inserts and install di-electric nipples from water heater department local home store.

Copy following link illustrations.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Low-hot-water-pressure.html#trap

Additional link:
Troubleshoot by type of gas control valve:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html#intellivent

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

Why is it always Rheem problems?
Every water heater problem is Rheem.
And Rheem doesn't post any service manuals, like the other two big manufacturers, AO Smith-American, and Bradford White.

Copy following link for troubleshoot by gas control valve.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html#intellivent

Scroll up and find pressure switch heading among links.

You can install gas control valve yourself.
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/How-to-replace-water-heater-gas-valve.pdf

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

Depends on gas control valve, and if cause is overheating high-limit event or FVIR flammable vapor event.
Turn off water heater when using flammable vapors, clean burner parts to prevent overheating.

1) GSW Residential power vent gas water heater with FVIR system:
Some models have intelli-vent gas contol
Others have robershaw gas control with auto-reset

2) Parts manual shows #15 'auto-reset' high limit switch on the blower
http://www.gswpartsonline.com/model/27484
http://www.gswpartsonline.com/schematic/137/view

3) Possible manual:
http://www.gsw-wh.com/pdfs/GPD135NInstall.pdf
Shows resettable lockout page 15
Water temperature must be 120 degree F or lower for reset. Unplug power cord, and then plug back in and wait 15 minutes or 60 minutes depending on gas control valve.
Some intelli-vent controls must be replaced when 195 degree high limit event locks out the water heater.
If high-limit lockout repeats, then gas control must be replaced.
Also clean burner parts, air intake, and make sure flame is clear blue. and not yellow-or-orange.

4) Intelli-vent service manual might apply to your water heater:
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Intellivent-service-manual.pdf

If FVIR flammable vapor event locked out heater, then unplug heater and plug back in.
Immediately press two temperature buttons. Wait for green light to blink. Release buttons.
Page 34 in troubleshoot chart.

5) Take a moment and rate answer:
And take advantage of fixya expert assistance live.
For a price, expert works with you while you work on water heater or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

If I understand correctly, the pilot light is not staying lit.
You light the pilot and water in the tank reaches temperature.
Once hot water is gone, then pilot light has to be lit again.

Gas pressure is good, and gas is flowing.
Thermostat is working at high end because it cuts off heating.
Vent is working because tank heats up.
Air intake is working.

Gas control thermostat might not be reading low temperature. Replace gas control valve.
Pilot tube might be dirty. Clean burner parts and combustion chamber, and air intake, and vent.
Backdraft might be blowing out pilot. Check for constant updraft by running water heater 5 minutes, and then light match under vent hood and see if smoke goes up.
Very hot air can put out pilot, especially when water heater located in attic. Add ventilation.
Improper vent might have water dripping back down into combustion chamber and putting out pilot light and rusting out the parts. Inspect for rusted parts and water.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html#troubleshoot
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Pilot-light-will-not-stay-lit.pdf

You're probably in for a service call and/or possibly water heater replacement if unit is more that 5-6 years old.
Your water heater plugs into outlet. Check outlet with cheap circuit analyzer to make sure the unit is receiving correct polarity without line interference.
If unit is in the attic, then add more venting to soffit and roof so pilot is not being snuffed out by hot air. If unit is in basement, then open some doors and a window and see if unit needs more air.
Most gas water heaters require yearly cleaning and service.
Clean the combustion parts and tubes.
Clean the air intake.
Have gas company check gas pressure.
Open following link for possible illustrations:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html#troubleshoot

The problem can be bad gas control valve, air in gas line, low gas pressure, gas shut off handle not fully parallel with gas line, dirty combustion parts, lack of combustion air, improper venting. Or combination of all things. It's an electronic gizmo, anything can be bad or shorted, and repair may not last long.

Without a trained service technician to ohm-test the parts using correct service manual, then we are guessing at the cause.

Power vent water heater implies that you have side wall venting which must be replaced with another side-wall vented unit -or- it implies rapid reheating of water.

If water heater is more than 6 years old, you might be money ahead by installing a new one from local box store. Avoid the power vent and electronics. Local box store will have passive roof-venting type water heater BUT box store does not sell side-wall power vent. If your power vent goes up through the roof, then box-store variety gas water heater will work. Total cost $350 do-it-yourself for 40 gallon gas.
Or get 40 gallon 240Volt electric for $220 and connect to circuit breaker box. Requires no venting, and is easy to repair for years to come.
Or small 120Volt electric that plugs into outlet to tide you over until gas repairs can be made.
Look for scratch-n-dent models and always offer 10% off.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html
Shower uses 5-9 gallons hot water.

Hello Mike,
Check gas pressure, burner parts need to be cleaned, check electrical outlet, hot surface igniter is bad

White Rodgers intellivent error code:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-adjust-water-heater-temperature.html#Intellivent
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Intelli-vent-gas-valve2.pdf

Error code says: system in lockout, but you know that.
1) Low gas pressure, no gas to water heater: call gas company to check pressure
2) Hot surface igniter not positioned correctly: inspect and clean burner parts.
http://waterheatertimer.org/images/Reliance-hot-surface-ignite.jpg
3) Low voltage to water heater/ outlet has wrong polarity: Use circuit analyzer on electrical outlet to make sure polarity is correct

Typical power vent manual:
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Reliance-40-50-power-vent.pdf
Cleaning water heater:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html#clean
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/How-to-clean-combustion-chamber.pdf

Water heater and brand are not identified:
Question posted under electric water heater, but electric water heaters are not power vent.

First suspect is gas control valve thermostat.
Or burned points on contactor that turns on the blower.
Check if the burner is still going so you are not getting runaway heating that will trip the ECO and require possible gas valve replacement.

Open following link for older Reliance troubleshoot manual, plus some troubleshooting resources and illustrations, plus link to find age of water heater:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html#troubleshoot

Add a comment and say what you did to restore functionality.

There could be blockage in your water heaters venting on the outside of the home. It sound like the high limit switch has been tripped. Try unplugging the tank and plugging it back in. this will reset the tank. if the problem persists you will want to call your provider for service.

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