Kenmore power miser 5, water only stays hot for

Troubleshooting Electric Water Heaters in MINUTES Step By Step Could be a few items. Depending on how old unit is will decide whether to fix or replace. HD or Lowe's sell repair parts. Caution do not turn power back on until you have purged all the air from unit. go to furthest bathtub and open hot side, let water run for 5 minutes after the last air pocket escapes. failure to do so may burn elements out and you get to start over. Be careful

Gas or electric?
Electric water heater ... then test for crossover, check for water leak, replace thermostats, test elements
Gas water heater ... test for crossover, check for water leak
http://waterheatertimer.org/Crossover.html

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

http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html

water leak: turn off all taps and put ear against pipe and listen for water leak... check if water meter advances when all water taps are off.

Gene

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

Clean arrestor screen?
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html

Gene

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

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

Gene
h

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

You can fix it yourself:

Push in reset button.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html#reset
Test both elements:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html
If elements test out, then replace both thermostats.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html

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

Kenmore is AO Smith.
Set this brand water heater on bricks for ez access to arrestor screen located on bottom.
Air intake located on bottom of unit, and should be accessible without removing combustion parts. Use feather duster, or compressed air.
Copy following links for specific illustrations and information:
Same information also shows in product manual .... and you didn't save that, but next time for sure.
http://waterheatertimer.org/images/Flame-trap-inspection-325.jpg
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermocouple.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-maintain-water-heater.html

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

Water heater burner assembly and combustion chamber probably needs clean and maintenance.
I suggest calling sears service 1-800 469-4663 or plumber.

I'm on Sears/ American/ Rheem/ Reliance etc gas water heater websites most days, and read gas water heater manuals continually.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10153_12605?keyword=kenmore+power+miser+9+40+gallon+gas+water+heater+gas
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/s_10153_12605_Appliances_Water+Heaters_Natural+Gas

Most people don't fix air conditioning without knowledge going in, but people think water heaters are simpler, because water heaters were simpler a few years ago.
Today, gas water heaters require testing equipment, and specialized tools, plus replacement parts.

Possible problems include: Improper fuel-air mixture, dirty air intake, venting problems, gas control valve problems, air in gas line, low gas pressure, dirty combustion parts, Water condensate dripping on burner, chemicals stored inside same room. Service technician will review all these things during troubleshoot, and you can watch technician and glean information for keeping water heater working longer than warranty.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Replace-anode-rod.html

If repairs are going to cost more than $400, then install new gas water heater yourself same day:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html

Upvote the help.
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.

This is a major problem with Kenmore power miser 6, 9, and 12's - we purchased a Power Miser 6 in Nov. 2006 and have had 5 service calls in two years - we are on our 6th call now - Go to http://baheyeldin.com/technology-in-society/mistaken-identity-help-with-kenmore-water-heater.html or Complaintsboard.com and you will see multiple complaints on these models. We had Sears out days after we purchased the water heater, and had parts replaced, then more problems in April 2007 - It worked ok until Nov, 2008 and now it has gone out 3 times. We were told it is lint collecting on the screen that sits under the burner (difficult to get to) - we made a vacume attachment out of PCV pipe (like the one the repairman had) and vacumed the screen when the pilot light wouldn't stay lit - that is what they told us was the problem - but this time, the vacuming isn't working - Ash also builds up on the pilot light burner which has to be removed - you can't replace the thermal coupler without replacing the entire burner unit in this model - In short, if you can get your money back and buy a more reliable model, do it! Sears sold us a maintenance agreement after they had come out 3 times ($290), and still we go for 2-5 days without hot water waiting for them to come out and not fix our water heater. They also told us we should build a platform elevated off the floor to increase oxygen and decrease dust - funny our last model was still working at over 10 years and never had an issue in the same location! Sears installed the water heater, and should have installed it on a platform if that was what was needed. Also, there was no warning about having to vacume the screen (UNDER the heater - very difficult) - when we purchased this model or we wouldn't have bought it - Kenmore water heater repair line now tells you to try scrubbing the screen - but who wants to do this every month??? I can't tell you how inconvenient this has been - Looks like there was a class action suit against LOWE's which included the AO Smith water heaters (which is who built the power miser heaters) - no class action suit yet against Kenmore - This has been a nightmare and at the websites I listed, you will see many more such complaints, and some creative solutions...but I doubt any will work for long. Good luck.

The problem is the humidity. Get rid of the water and get some ventilation in there plus heat and the pilot light will work once again.

I have the same problem. Water heater operates on a very simple principle. of thermo-mechanical feed-back and response. In my case, I have a Kenmore Power Miser 6, NG heater with an electronic pilot ignition system. The heater is just over one year old and last month (conveniently just after the 12 month service warranty expired) the pilot light started extinguishing on a very regular basis. I find it interesting that the very problem I am experiencing, is happening to other Kenmore owners (victims). The solution can be found in replacing one of two possible components; the pilot assembly or the gas valve manifold. The price of DIY pilot assembly replacement is approx. $60 . The valve component is significantly higher. Water heaters are designed and built to provide years of trouble-free reliable service. This is the first Kenmore product I have owned. From a customer perspective, with regard to product performance, Sears/Kenmore needs to take a strong look at their supplier quality. Oh, by the way, contacting Sears for remedial relief only managed to frustrate and infuriate me. You see, I am in Quality for a world-class aircraft company. I understand what ethical steps are required to satisfy a valued customer. I plan on ripping out the defective unit this weekend and replacing it with a reliable Home depot special. At least with HD, if the heater fails to perform , I can return it. Hey Sears in Chicago, don't come crying to the consumer when you are looking for the trendy "bail out". Signed- "Burned Out" in La Habra, California.