Rheem Gas Hot Water Heater Burner Won't Stay Lite
7.5 years Rheem 50GAL (22V50F1) hot water heater's burner won't stay lite. I am able to lite it and somewhere after 30 minutes (or the cycle completes) it goes out. When lite, I can cycle it on and off with the thermostat and the pilot stays lite. However, I was able to get the pilot to go out by using the thermostat to cycle the unit off and then SLOWLY turning up the temperature. I heard a click and pilot went out. After that it takes a while before I can turn lite it again (unsure how related that is) Rheem's technical support is a bit sketchy as the last guy contradicted the others but they seem to think it's the gas control valve as if the burner lights, they say it isn't the thermocouple. I have cleaned the existing thermocouple and replaced it but the problem remains. The odd Rheem safety capsul is intact. Ideas? Replacement is $450 but the install is like $800 for my NJ home. Crazy. If you are up to taking it apart I would say to try clean the pilot orifice. Remember though that at 7.5 years of age you are entering into the old age of the heater. It might crap out on you in the next six months or it could conceivably last another ten but the odds are not in your favor for many more years of life. Orifice looked fine. It won't lite now. As soon as I get pilot lite which is a bit of a pain. I need to use the striker alot. When I turn up the temperature, it just clicks and dies. Sorry, that's all I've got. You might try bending the electrode for the ignitor a bit closer to the pilot burner if you have a problem with sparking. I would probably say the gas valve. Although like AO smith there may be a thermal sensor in that model... Not sure. But your on the cusp because why spend money for a gas valve with a 7.5 year old heater? Additionally if your getting a NJ plumber to install a new heater for $800 plus $450 for the heater thats a steal. ( But what are they installing?) AO smith is the recommended brand I use and install. Rheem is own by GE now from what I know...I would not touch them today. Bradford white is another option. Here in NJ the gas company's install bradford white. And they put the tab on your gas bill so it can be paid off monthly... 0% interest too!!!!! Heard terrible AO Smith reviews. $800 for replacement sounds terrible unless they charge $300 an hour.
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