hot water heater trouble
 

Any plumbers out there? My A O smith heater won't stay lit anyone know how to fix this? Heater is only 2 years old.

It might be the flame sensor. Remove it and clean the metal rod with a little emery paper.

Had the same trouble with one of my boilers and it was the thermal coupler that was shot.

I read that it could be the thermo coupler. But the unit is only 2 yrs old, do these things break down that quickly?

Yes they can burn out within a couple yrs depending on how often the water heater kicks in. The one for my boiler was only $25 and I was able to replace it with ease. If anything I think I would rather replace a thermal coupler every couple yrs then something more expensive.

If I'm not mistaken. A two year old water heater is sealed combustion with a flame arresting intake screen on the bottom/side (if it is naturally aspirated(metal chimney)). On the right of the burner viewing glass there's a manual limit switch. Check that. If I'm way off base, post the model #.

+1 on the thermocouple, most hardware and big box stores sell them, pretty easy to change, just get the right length

This is a sealed unit with plastic tubes.

Power vented then. Clean your flame sensor. They usually suck to get to.

Does it try to turn on, then shut down?

Mine did this once, i took out the thermal sensor and cleaned it with emery paper, put it back and it worked fine ever since. As TimT stated, it is a rod held by a couple screws