20 Most Recent Reliance Natural Gas Water Heater Control Questions & Answers

Troubleshoot on following link: http://waterheatertimer.org/troubleshoot-water-heater-pilot-light.html

Error codes following link: http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html#honeywell

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

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

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

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

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

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

Copy following links:http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html#blowerhttp://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html#intelliventhttp://www.thetankatwaterheaterrescue.com/forums/forum3/Geneg If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermocouple.html 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 need a new thermocoupler

Copy following links for resources:http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html#blowerhttp://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html#intelliventhttp://www.thetankatwaterheaterrescue.com/forums/forum3/Geneh If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

there is a lot of controversy over this. The reasons that you may want to do it are because of cathodic erosion. If the water has high mineral content it can shorten the life of the tank. If you are using plastic pipe in the house it can affect the situation also. All that aside, the reason for the grounding is found in the National Electrical Code and is in section 250.140 . The reason is that the code calls for grounding of all other metal piping systems that do not carry water. That would mean the natural gas line! The reasoning is because if something happens and energizes the gas line and it is not grounded it could cause a fire or an electrocution hazard. The code calls for a ground wire of sufficient size to handle a stray voltage of the amount that would be most likely found in the application. So you have 220 VAC in most residential applications. That would mean that you should use something in the neighborhood of about # 8 to # 12 AWG as a ground. There are charts to determine the exact size. IT depends on the length of the run.. The wire should be connected to the area closest to the control head if the head is not insulated from the pipe and then run to an electrical ground nearby. The installation has to be done by an electrician and not a plumber unless you do it yourself IF YOU ARE THE OWNER OF THE HOUSE AND IT IS NOT A RENTAL.

Copy following links:http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-light-gas-water-heater.htmlhttp://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.htmlhttp://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.htmlhttp://www.thetankatwaterheaterrescue.com/forums/forum3/Reliance is made by AO Smith company, and air intake located on bottom of unit.Make sure you have adequate incoming air and vent is working.Remember, the pilot is located upwards from the viewing sight-glass, so it is sometimes difficult to see pilot.Pilot flame must burn clear blue, with bits of yellow and red. Yellow flame means inadequate air supply or venting.Geneh If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

1) Bad gas control thermostat, or thermostat has come out of calibration, or water leak running hot water out of tank.Turn up temperature.Replace gas control valve.http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html#intelliventhttp://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-adjust-temperature-on-water-heater.html2) Clean air intake, put ear against pipes and listen for water leak, check that flame is clear blue and that combustion gasses are flowing up the vent pipe and not blocked.3) Call service technician. If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Different water heaters have different problems.Look at label on side of water heater for brand, model and type so expert can identify correct action.Add a comment.If this is tank heater, the air intake could be clogged, gas pressure low, bad gas control, etc.http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

If pilot light has gas, then ECO is not tripped so water heater has not experienced overheating event.
Remaining suspects include bad thermocouple, bad air quality, not enough air, bad vent, water dripping down vent, backdraft down vent, hot attic with bad ventilation, low gas pressure, air in gas line, dirt water or debris clogging gas control thermostat, bad gas control thermostat, tripped FVIR, dirty pilot orifice, dirty combustion parts, damaged combustion parts from exposure to trace chemicals like bleach and wax.
Suspects include one or more from list above.

Start with thermocouple.
Open following links:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-thermocouple.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html#troubleshoot

In my first 15 years as a plumber I never saw a pilot light issue on a gas WH that a new thermocouple didn't fix. Since the government mandated a redesign of the fire box, I've seen three that nothing ever fixed - two Whirlpools and one (my usually ultrareliable) AO Smith - including replacing the entire burner assembly and the regulator. And I've heard of many others.

Check the thermocouple connection for tight. (Don't strip.. threaded soft metals.)
Check the microvents on the bottom ? of the burn box for dust, even if it is new.
Call Reliant and demand new units until you get one that works.
Try another model. Consider a 52gal electric.

I've always recommended gas over electric, and AO Smith and Rheem were my recommendations (and "Reliants" were "lumber yard" water heaters. Sorry.)

Since the mandated redesigns, I don't really have a "proven reliable" model to suggest. I increasingly believe the restricted air flow design is the ultimate culprit, including any changes to the thermocouple/regulator construct to accommodate the restricted air flow design. Just my hunch.

Offered for what its worth. -- plumber in Indiana.

The problem requires looking at manual and service handbook, except handbook doesn't show most recent water heater.
My first check point would be gas supply, and then vent draft, and then air supply.
Take off front cover and try lighting again to make sure air supply is not problem.
Review lighting instructions.
If there is no gas, and gas is turned ON, then gas control valve is suspect.

On-line manual for Reliance 909 gas
http://www.reliancewaterheaters.com/lit/om/manuals/186486-002.pdf
Reliance 2006 service handbook:
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Reliance-2006-Service-Handbook.pdf

Other resources:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html#troubleshoot
http://waterheatertimer.org/images/Test-water-heater-vent-1400.jpg
http://waterheatertimer.org/images/Water-heater-in-attic-800.jpg

Thermo electric gas valve is broken. Need a new one