hot water heater trouble

[bignose]

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.

[TimT]

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

[The Grizz]

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

[bignose]

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

[The Grizz]

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.

[wingedfish]

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 #.

[Cal_stir]

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

[bignose]

This is a sealed unit with plastic tubes.

[wingedfish]

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

[globaldesigns]

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