Water heater problem

[dn0121]

Well we moved into our house on Thursday after a nice but long drive from Houston. Discovered the next day the water heater is not working properly. The burner lights then shuts off. Does this four times then stops for a while. It is an A.O. Smith model and I know what the LED code means but after getting the multi-meter out and testing all I could test I couldn't find a problem. Then after the testing (took about an hour) it worked fine all night. Woke up this morning and seemed fine, but checked it a bit ago and the 6 blinks are back.

Anyone recommend a HVAC or plumber that is trustworthy?

 

[Aa3rt]

Well we moved into our house on Thursday after a nice but long drive from Houston. Discovered the next day the water heater is not working properly.

Here's a link to the A. O. Smith Water Heater website. Hopefully you can find something there that will help you out.

I hate to ask the obvious but did you check your fuel level?

Anyone recommend a HVAC or plumber that is trustworthy?

What county/town are you in?

 

[Dougstermd]

Well we moved into our house on Thursday after a nice but long drive from Houston. Discovered the next day the water heater is not working properly. The burner lights then shuts off. Does this four times then stops for a while. It is an A.O. Smith model and I know what the LED code means but after getting the multi-meter out and testing all I could test I couldn't find a problem. Then after the testing (took about an hour) it worked fine all night. Woke up this morning and seemed fine, but checked it a bit ago and the 6 blinks are back.

Anyone recommend a HVAC or plumber that is trustworthy?

what does the code for 6 blinks mean? What does the paper work say the trouble code means?

do you have a gas stove? If so what does the flame look like on the stove? if the flame looks weak with any yellow tips etc you could have a regulator problem. is you tanks full could they be low? what does the gauge on the tanks read in percentage? if you direct wire jump the gas valve do you here gas flowing? You can here the igniter firing? so it sounds like a fuel problem. if its a pilot lite type then look at the flame it should not be a lazy flame with any yellow tips. Just some more stuff to check before you call any one. I do not have the phone number for the fellow I would reccomend with me.

 

[RadioPatrol]

Well we moved into our house on Thursday after a nice but long drive from Houston. Discovered the next day the water heater is not working properly. The burner lights then shuts off. Does this four times then stops for a while. It is an A.O. Smith model and I know what the LED code means but after getting the multi-meter out and testing all I could test I couldn't find a problem. Then after the testing (took about an hour) it worked fine all night. Woke up this morning and seemed fine, but checked it a bit ago and the 6 blinks are back.

Anyone recommend a HVAC or plumber that is trustworthy?

Huh ? since when to water heaters have led displays ?

I always installed the basic ones back when i was doing plumbing ......

mechanical gas valve, with a thermocouple safety


Parts List:

http://www.hotwater.com/lit/partslists.html

 

[dn0121]

Sorry it is a natural gas water heater, only other thing is the furnace. I have the documents here is the link see page 31 in this manual for LED codes:
http://www.hotwater.com/lit/training/tc048r6.pdf. Flame is a nice blue/orange, was working fine last night after testing. Have viewed the websites. Ill fire up the furnace and see if that runs alright.

As for the LEDs, it has a power blower that expels the exhaust out. Take a look at the tests in the link and you can see more of what I mean. I only was able to do the multi-meter tests.

Thanks for the replies, glad to know there are people here to help on all sorts of topics!

 

[RadioPatrol]

Sorry it is a natural gas water heater, only other thing is the furnace. I have the documents here is the link see page 31 in this manual for LED codes:
http://www.hotwater.com/lit/training/tc048r6.pdf. Flame is a nice blue/orange, was working fine last night after testing. Have viewed the websites. Ill fire up the furnace and see if that runs alright.

As for the LEDs, it has a power blower that expels the exhaust out. Take a look at the tests in the link and you can see more of what I mean. I only was able to do the multi-meter tests.

Thanks for the replies, glad to know there are people here to help on all sorts of topics!

ok one of those high effency or through the wall models ...... i get it now ....

from the flow chart the 6 LED flash, seems your unit is having trouble sensing if the burner lights or not ........

PG 32 item

4. flame sense rod dirty, or incorrectly positioned,
6. flame sense / HSI Wiring Conditions / Connections .......

if your handy with tools, I'd try sourcing a Flame sense rod and replace it .....

if not I guess your calling someone .........

 

[dn0121]

i'm pretty good at fixing things. I pulled out the flame sense rod and it was gapped correctly. What is HSI, do you know?

Furnace works fine so I don't think it is pressure from the meter. Of course it was working fine at inspection time. I shut it down and am going to try it again soon to see if it is working fine like it did last night.

 

[DoWhat]

i'm pretty good at fixing things. I pulled out the flame sense rod and it was gapped correctly. What is HSI, do you know?

Furnace works fine so I don't think it is pressure from the meter. Of course it was working fine at inspection time. I shut it down and am going to try it again soon to see if it is working fine like it did last night.

I think it might be acting up because of the weather.
If you put a blow torch to the propane tank, heat it up good and hot, it should work a lot better.
Trust me.

 

[RadioPatrol]

i'm pretty good at fixing things. I pulled out the flame sense rod and it was gapped correctly. What is HSI, do you know?

Furnace works fine so I don't think it is pressure from the meter. Of course it was working fine at inspection time. I shut it down and am going to try it again soon to see if it is working fine like it did last night.

I'd have to pull up the PDF again ........... but it is probably some control unit ?

i'll dig into it for ya ................


It looks like the HSI is the Igniter .... so it maybe not getting power ? or it power is preset not heating up ........ check PDF for instructions

 

[dn0121]

Im about to go thru each step again. It is so odd because the pilot lights the burner fine then after about 4 seconds of being lit it goes out. Makes you think that it is some kind of safety sensor thinking it is not exhausting properly, but you can hear and feel it coming out the pipe outside. Hopefully I will find something. I would like to take a warm shower tonight.

 

[RadioPatrol]

Im about to go thru each step again. It is so odd because the pilot lights the burner fine then after about 4 seconds of being lit it goes out. Makes you think that it is some kind of safety sensor thinking it is not exhausting properly, but you can hear and feel it coming out the pipe outside. Hopefully I will find something. I would like to take a warm shower tonight.

sounds like that pesky flame rod is flaking oiut'

 

[dn0121]

Ya that is what I am thinking. Any place local to buy supplies like that?

 

[flyingdog]

I just went to Lowes.com and they seem to have a bunch of water heater supplies, not sure if they have what you need, though. Here is their 411. Open until 10, so maybe that hot shower is still an option...

LOWE'S OF ST. MARY'S COUNTY, MD #0719
45075 WORTH AVENUE
CALIFORNIA, MD 20619
(301) 737-0232
Fax: (301) 863-2286
M-SA 7-10, SU 8-8
Miles: 5 NW

 

[RadioPatrol]

Ya that is what I am thinking. Any place local to buy supplies like that?

when I worked for a waldorf plumber I had access to micheals ? but i think they are tradesman only .... but their is

Rexall - there electricial - longshot @ best

Hughs in Waldorf
Thomas Sommerville - waldorf
Ferguson - Waldorf

you might have outlets in PF or Calvert I just don't know the area

 

[Dougstermd]

sounds like that pesky flame rod is flaking oiut'

that is a voltage test with a applied heat source I believe.

 

[DoWhat]

All kidding aside.
The burner will not ignite if there is an obstruction (could be very small) on the fuel line.
The pilot light will remain lit, but the gas will never flow to ignite.
I learned this with my hot tub.

 

[dn0121]

Ya but the burner lights, just doesn't stay lit it does this 4 times then gives the error code.

I took the flame rod out checked it with a nickel, bent it just a tiny bit and put it back in. All is working now, but yesterday when I ran thru the electrical tests it worked when I was finished. Its running now so at least we can get hot showers in.

Did a soap test on the parts I removed and didn't find any leaks. Checked the outside vent and a lot of hot air is coming out. So should be safe for the night. Lets hope tomorrow it stays running. If not I will check out Lowe's and see if they have the part I need.

Thanks everyone for the help, hope tomorrow will be good news.

 

[DoWhat]

Thanks everyone for the help, hope tomorrow will be good news.

You’re welcome.
I'm glad I could be of assistance.

There are a few people on these forums that don't like me.
But please, don't listen to them, they are silly people.

 

[Dougstermd]

You’re welcome.
I'm glad I could be of assistance.

There are a few people on these forums that don't like me.
But please, don't listen to them, they are silly people.

I still love you man

 

[Dead Eye]

Replace the thermocouple Its cheep about 5 doller. Mine did the same thing ran good for a wile then went out. The thermocouples job is to shut of the gas if it does not sense fire. It looks like a probe on one end and copper tubing to a hand nut on control unit. VERY IMPORTANT TO HAND TIGHTEN ONLY AS SNUG AS POSSIBLE BY HAND do not tighten with plyers as it will crush the contact. this is why it has a hand nut that is round