http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html
Gas Water Heater Troubleshooting Guidelines
These guidelines should be utilized by a qualified service agent.
Problem
WATER LEAKS
LEAKING T&P VALVE
Cause
Solution
Improperly sealed, hot or cold supply connection,
relief valve, drain valve, or thermostat threads.
Leakage from other appliances or water lines.
Condensation of flue products.
Thermal expansion in closed water system.
Improperly seated valve.
Tighten threaded connections.
High sulfate or mineral content in water supply.
Inspect other appliances near water heater.
Refer to CONDENSATE.
Install thermal expansion tank (DO NOT plug T&P valve).
Check relief valve for proper operation
(DO NOT plug T&P valve).
Drain and flush heater thoroughly, then refill.
SMELLY ODORS
PILOT WILL NOT LIGHT
BURNER WILL NOT
STAY LIT
PILOT OUTAGE
NOT ENOUGH
HOT WATER
WATER TOO HOT
WATER HEATER SOUNDS
SIZZLING - RUMBLING
SOOTING
VENT GAS ODORS
Bacteria in water supply.
Gas control knob not positioned correctly.
Main gas supply off.
Igniter tip more than 1/8" from pilot hood.
Thermocouple malfunction.
Thermocouple TCO malfunction.
Melted insulation on ignitor wire or shorting
of ignitor wire.
High ambient room temperature.
Chlorinate or aerate water supply.
Refer to LIGHTING INSTRUCTIONS.
Turn on main gas Shut-off valve.
Adjust ignitor tip.
Replace pilot assembly.
Replace pilot assembly.
Contact a service agency to determine cause.
Wire disconnected from spark ignitor.
Broken electrode or electrical wire.
Piezo Ignitor generator fails to operate or
malfunctions.
Thermocouple TCO malfunction.
High ambient room temperature.
Reconnect wire connector to spark ignitor.
Replace pilot assembly.
Replace Piezo Ignitor generator.
Dirty or clogged air intake screen.
Flame arrestor openings blocked.
Defective Gas Control.
Dirty pilot burner.
Dirty or clogged air intake screen.
Thermocouple tip is not in contact with pilot flame.
Thermocouple malfunction.
Thermocouple TCO malfunction.
Defective Gas Control.
Heater not lit or thermostat not on.
Thermostat set too low.
Heater undersized.
Low gas pressure.
Incoming water is unusually cold.
Leaking hot water pipes or fixtures.
High temperature limit switch activated.
Thermostat set too high.
Condensation dripping on burner.
Sediment or calcium in bottom of heater tank.
Improper combustion.
Lack of supply air.
Improperly installed vent piping.
Downdraft.
Poor combustion.
Contact a service agency to determine cause.
Replace pilot assembly.
Contact a service agency to
determine cause.
Clean and reinstall air intake screen.
Contact a service agency to
determine cause.
Replace Gas Control.
Clean pilot assembly.
Clean and reinstall air intake screen.
Insert thermocouple correctly.
Replace pilot assembly.
Replace pilot assembly.
Replace Gas Control.
Refer to LIGHTING INSTRUCTIONS.
Refer to TEMPERATURE REGULATION.
Reduce hot water use.
Contact your gas supplier.
Allow more time for heater to re-heat.
Have plumber check and repair leaks.
Contact a service agency to
determine cause.
Refer to TEMPERATURE REGULATION.
Refer to CONDENSATE above.
Clean sediment from tank. Refer to DRAINING
instructions in Maintenance section of manual.
No adjustment available. Contact a service agency
to determine cause.
Contact a service agency to determine cause.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html
Gas Water Heater Troubleshooting
Leaking water heater/ leaking TP valve
http://waterheatertimer.org/Leaking-water-heater.html
Rumbling
http://waterheatertimer.org/Clean-sediment-out-of-water-heater.html
Smelly odors
http://waterheatertimer.org/Replace-anode-rod.html
Temperature
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-adjust-water-heater-temperature.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html
Costs
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-much-does-it-cost-to-run-water-heater.html
Estimated cost for operating Gas water heater (2010)
Size 40-50 gallon
Energy factor
.56
.60
.67
.82
Natural Gas
$ 315
$ 300
$ 280
$ 225
LP Gas
$530
$500
$475
$380
All Costs are energy, so total energy-cost equals cost of water heater, plus installation, plus expected repairs-andparts, plus water softener-and-filter, plus disposal-recycling cost, divided by years of tank life. These numbers are added
to monthly energy cost to measure true energy cost & efficiency of a water heater.
Government/industry efficiency numbers consider only energy cost per gallon of heated water.