Reliance Recent Questions, Troubleshooting Help & Support

Tank-type electric water heater is fully repairable by homeowner.

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

Page above has links to other repair steps in case thermostat is not the problem.
Add a comment any time if you have problem while repairing your water heater.

Also take advantage of fixya phone service.
For a price, expert speaks with you over phone while you work on water heater or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

they should be the same call auto store and see if they take the same axle for each jeep , I think they are

Hello Rsjohnson164,

I understand that you are having a problem with your hot-water tank not producing any amount of hot-water. I would suggest that you turn off the cold water supply to your hot water tank and drain the tank and see how much water comes out of it.

Flush the tank:
1. Turn off the cold water supply
2. Hook a water hose to the boiler valve (spicket on the bottom of the tank) and turn on the valve
3. Turn on the cold water inlet line and let it run for about 15 minutes or until you get good pressure coming out.

Check the Elements:
1. Turn off the power to the hot-water tank
2. Remove the service panels
3. Remove one wire from the element and use a multi-meter to check continuity
4. If no continuity replace one or both elements

If you do all of this and still have a problem repost to this thread and we will check your thermostats to make sure they are working properly.

Thank you for choosing FIxYa.com

Justin

Short answer: Thermostats may be bad. Replace both thermostats.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html

Long answer:
1) If water heater has some hot water, then upper element is good and water heater has 240Volts, and best suspect is burned out lower element.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-clean-sediment-out-of-electric-water-heater.html

2) If water heater has no hot water because 240volt circuit breaker is tripped on one leg, and only 120Volts is arriving at water heater, then upper part of water heater can appear to have voltage and lower part of water heater can appear to have no voltage.
Open following links for troubleshoot steps:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/Test-electricity-to-water-heater.html

Add a comment for more help

Bad gas control valve thermostat http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html#intellivent Gene If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

No you have to pull the crank shaft to remove piston

Maybe 98 is 1998, and H is 9th month of year. Might be Bradford White, maybe State. http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Find-Age-of-water-heater.pdf http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-manufacturers.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

No! The barrel is broken, probably needs replacing!

the electricity it burns in the water like when u burn trash it stinks becase of the electric

You have a major problem and need to replace your tank. Get expert advise.

As near as I can see you have a thirty gallon tank.

At fifteen years of age it would be less cost over time and labor to replace the whole tank. How efficient is your old one and being it runs hot all the time you could have a tank that will not last very long anyway. Mine sprung a leak at 18 years and made a big mess.

Sounds to me like the gas orifice is partially plugged. Or your burner is dirty and should be cleaned.

If it's gas the control usually is at the bottom of the tank where the gas line comes in. If it's electric there should be a little trap door either at the top or bottom and the heat control is behind that door. The door is usually held in place with a screw There is a little dial with numbers you can turn up or down. There are electrical wires that you should not touch as well.

If it's gas the control usually is at the bottom of the tank where the gas line comes in. If it's electric there should be a little trap door either at the top or bottom and the heat control is behind that door. The door is usually held in place with a screw There is a little dial with numbers you can turn up or down. There are electrical wires that you should not touch as well.

I wrote a page for changing water heater thermostat.
The photos take you through step-by-step
I recommend replacing both upper and lower thermostats so it eliminates thermostats as possible cause if water heater keeps overheating.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html

The Reliance 606 manual shows your water heater uses generic upper and lower thermostats from hardware store.
http://www.reliancewaterheaters.com/lit/om/manuals/185761-000.pdf

Likely the thermostat will solve the problem:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

thermostat set too low. leak in hot water line or hot water being used too fast. defective thermostat

Replace thermostats http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html If problem continues, replace elements http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-water-heater-element.html Gene If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

If you have some hot water from dual-element water heater, then that tells us:
Water heater is 240Volt.
Upper element is working. If upper element is not working, then heater has NO hot water.
Reset button is not tripped.
Electricity and breaker to water heater are delivering 240Volts to heater.

Remaining suspects are:
1) Bad upper or lower thermostat: Solution: replace both thermostats for 28$.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html
2) Bad lower element: Solution test and replace element:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-water-heater-element.html
3) Loose wire or loose connection: Solution: open both covers and inspect for burning. Tighten all screws very tight.
4) Bad wire: Solution: Buy cheap multimeter from Home Center and do a 30 minute troubleshoot of entire water heater before replacing any parts:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html
When testing for voltage, rotate multimeter dial to 240-250-277VAC
When testing elements or continuity, rotate multimeter dial to Ohms.

it is located on the thermostat. Take the cover off the side and you will see a little red button in the side of the themostat.