Rheem 40 Gallon FVR NATGAS Low WATER HEATER 6YR 22V40SF - Answered Questions & Fixed issues

If water is leaking from a pipe. then replace or repair the pipe or fitting. If the leak is coming from the unit itself, then replace the unit. Hope this helps.

Hi,
The ECO is short for emergency cut off.
The ECO is either tripped or it went bad. You may be able to reset it or you will have to contact a rep the sells your heater to get a new part. Some are resetable and some are not... not sure which you may have. The reset ones will have a little red button to push in the center.
The next rpoblem is to figure why the ECO went or tripprd in the first place. There is probably a reason or a cause. When you refire it make surte you donot have flame roll out and proper venting. Also make sure the the thermostat works and is not letting it get too hot.

I hope that this will help you to solve your problem!

Thanks for using Fixya!!

Heatman101

Hello,
So you had water enter the burner combustion chamber through the access panel. That can be cleaned out, but was the gas control valve just above it on the water heater submerged under water as well? If so, do not use it or try to repair it. It is unsafe to use and the control must be replaced. Now whether or not it's worth while to replace just the gas control, depends on the age and condition of the water heater itself. Also, is this covered under your home owner's insurance policy? Damage from flooding is usually not covered in a standard policy,unless you had it added specifically. But it is covered if you had a water line break which resulted in the water damage. You should find out before you proceed with changing the control. We had the latter occur and our insurance co (State Farm) covered everything from clean-up to replacement). Hope that helps. Douglas

The T.C.O switch which is located on the outside of the burner area needs replacing. It has two wire that connect to it from the gas valve. This switch controls the gas to the pilot burner tube. If it has tripped it will not allow the
pilot to stay lit or allow gas into the pilot tube.

The water heater uses a thermocouple to generate a small voltage from the pilot light. This voltage is used to blink the led and allow the main gas jet to turn on. Either your thermocouple or the wiring from it has failed and needs to be replaced, or realigned if perhaps it moved out of position above the pilot light.

You can reset some models.... depending on gas control valve and FVIR design. Some newer models you replace the sensor located on outside of tank. http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html#intellivent http://waterheatertimer.org/How-flammable-vapor-sensor-works-Therm-O-Disc-25VS.pdf Gene If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Some of the old gas water heaters used electric water heater thermostat. Just use a standard thermostat. http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html http://waterheatertimer.org/http://waterheatertimer.org/Add-another-thermostat-to-gas-or-electric-water-heater.html http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-gas-water-heater.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

Replace the whole gas valve assembly

the flue doesn't stay warm creating a draft...if you are not using it, you can cap it off

Order glass vial from Rheem http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-repair-Rheem-FVIR.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

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

It sounds like it's doing it's job, by not letting your water heater turn into a missile, or exploding....The "T" in T&P stands for temperature. When it gets too high, the valve will open. The "P" in T&P stands for pressure. When IT gets too high, the valve will open. When they both get too high...you know the rest...The condition can be caused by many factors. 1. The house "pressure reducing valve" is letting in too much pressure. Any more than 80 lbs. is too much. 50 to 75 is good. 2. Hot water expansion in a closed loop system...no "prv" or "water meter" bypass...To fix, you can install a small "expansion tank" above the water heater. It will allow the extra bit of water to go somewhere temporarily, Letting the T&P valve stay closed. Installation is always on the hot outlet side, because high efficiency water heaters use a "check ball" in the factory installed cold water inlet nipple, which also doubles as a dip tube. (lets cold water into the heater at the bottom) When a gas fired water heater turns on, there is a pretty fast spike in both temp. and press. 3. The gas control valve itself, has a non resetting 190 degree, "high limit" safety shut off feature. IF that were to fail, the control would run away temperature wise, but I have never heard of one failing. regards!

Dear Hank McNeal; I have successfully used a "boiler plug" to seal a water heater tank leak in 2007. It was a 100 gallon electric commercial hotel unit. To this day it's still in use. It depends where the leak is located....Predrilling the leak is necessary to be sure the plug will ernguage it's threads into good material... Start as small as possible, then use the best suited plug. they come in an assortment of sizes.

no. propane burns much hotter than natural gas, and has higher pressure gas valve and burner and orifice must be changed to switch between natural gas and propane http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html Most manufacturers do not support converting gas on heater. 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 gene If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Manufacturers say to replace water heater after a flood.
Flooded water heater can be repaired by replacing parts but warranty is voided.
And if water heater reached gas control valve, then gas control has to be replaced >> possibly the gas valve eco tripped.

I don't know how effective cleaning burner parts will be, since a small spider wed inside some of those tubes can cause water heater not to function. Small obstructions cause big problems.
I'm sure the plumber cleaned it out real well.
Find manufacturer using label on side of tank, find manual with parts diagram, and order burner parts.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-manufacturers.html

It might be cheaper to install a new water heater yourself from box store
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html

I read one article:
http://www.diychatroom.com/f7/rheem-hot-water-heater-pilot-burner-not-staying-lit-65755/
Guy has water heater that filled with water.
He says: "I decided to feel around. As soon as I put my finger into the hole under the burners I hit water. The air intake passage was filled with rain water, effectively chocking off the fresh air. A few minutes with a siphon tube cured the problem and the water heater works normally again."

Absolutely feel obligated to upvote the help.
Or 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 heater has a sealed front door the air intake filter is probably clogged. Remove the door and vacuum out all the dust and debris in the inside. Then use an air compressor to blow down thru the filter and force out any dust caught in the underside of the filter. Reinstall assemble heater and relite. If problem continues replace the gas control. If unit does not have sealed door just replace the gas control

Copy following link to identify 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

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

Copy following links:http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-thermocouple.htmlhttp://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.htmlhttp://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