Any water heater experts?

[Cougar281]

Anyone know anything about water heaters? I've got a 5 year old Kenmore water heater that seems to not be heating properly. All the way on hot, the water is luke warm at best. It did this once before (that I'm aware of) and went back to normal. The burner is running full-tilt, so I doubt that it's the thermostat. Any thoughts/suggestions?

 

[LBZ_Duramax]

If it is an electric water heater either the top or bottom element could be burnt out. The elements are cheap and if you havent replaced one in 5 yrs it is probly time for them.

 

[SteveFord]

Depending on install there is a dip tube that runs down the cold side to keep the incomming cold water from mixing at the top with the hot water. Sometimes what happens is during install they will get the heat to close to the nipple on the cold side on top and it will make the dip tube fall down inside the heater. I've seen it take a while before this happens too but when it does you get nothing but warm water. Your symptoms are very simular to this from what you have described.

 

[SteveFord]

Either that or it's short cycling to where the burner stay lit long enough to start to heat then it shuts down then lites back up again. Gas valve could be culprit and if it's a power vent it could be the flame sensor/hot service ignitor.

 

[Cougar281]

I guess I should have been clearer... It's natural gas. The dip tube could possibly be it, except no hot water had been used for at least 4 hours before my shower this evening. and the water temp didn't change from start to finish. No power vent, just standard vent.

 

[SteveFord]

One way to check to see if it's the dip tube....turn off the cold water to the heater. Then open the drain at the bottom. If the water ends up comming out hot after 30 seconds then your dip tube is probably bad. If the water stays warm after it drain down some then you are looking at either a gas valve issue or thermostat issue.

 

[LarryJewell]

element is bad, i just replaced mine earlier this week (damn hard water) :spit:

 

[SteveFord]

Element is for electric heaters and hard water is hard on all plumbing lol.

 

[DAVe3283]

If you have our water, it is all because the tank is completely calcified and not transferring the heat into the water. We have to put a new one in about every 4-5 years. Hopefully that's not your problem, as it gets expensive (any annoying) replacing them that often. Hard water sucks!

 

[SteveFord]

If you have our water, it is all because the tank is completely calcified and not transferring the heat into the water. We have to put a new one in about every 4-5 years. Hopefully that's not your problem, as it gets expensive (any annoying) replacing them that often. Hard water sucks!

Very good point. The western side of the city where I live has this problem. It's gotten better of the years but still a problem. Good for business and bad for your pocket book!