Water Heaters - Leak plus shut off
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revtwo
06-04-08, 09:16 AM
I have an A.O Smith Power vent natural gas water heater. The owners manual lists it as either model FPSH/FPRC. I don't know the age since it was here when we bought the house but the house is about 8 years old.
Early last week I noticed water coming from the bottom of the water heater. When I took a cover off to look both sides of the portion of the tank I could see had water droplets. It turned out that my dehumidifier wasn't running so I replaced it thinking it may be condensation. That was about 5 days ago and it still has water under it and there's a stream going to my drain. It isn't that much but there's a small wet area abut an inch wide from the water heater going the 3 feet or so to the drain and the entire area below the heater is wet. I investigated it further thinking it could be a pin hole leak and noticed a clicking sound when the water heater runs. The water heater has a honeywell control module and it makes a click, the burner fires for a period, then the module clicks again and the burner shuts off. This cycle is repeated over and over again until the water is heated. The time between start up and shut down is anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute or two, it varies, and it clicks and then restarts right away after it shuts down.
Could these two issues be related? Is this what a faulty control module might do or is there another issue?
Thanks for the assistance.
Early last week I noticed water coming from the bottom of the water heater. When I took a cover off to look both sides of the portion of the tank I could see had water droplets. It turned out that my dehumidifier wasn't running so I replaced it thinking it may be condensation. That was about 5 days ago and it still has water under it and there's a stream going to my drain. It isn't that much but there's a small wet area abut an inch wide from the water heater going the 3 feet or so to the drain and the entire area below the heater is wet. I investigated it further thinking it could be a pin hole leak and noticed a clicking sound when the water heater runs. The water heater has a honeywell control module and it makes a click, the burner fires for a period, then the module clicks again and the burner shuts off. This cycle is repeated over and over again until the water is heated. The time between start up and shut down is anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute or two, it varies, and it clicks and then restarts right away after it shuts down.
Could these two issues be related? Is this what a faulty control module might do or is there another issue?
Thanks for the assistance.
plumbingods
06-04-08, 05:36 PM
Have you checked the relief valve for any leakage? If it is dry and you do not see any piping leaks, I would say that it is time for a replacement. But check that relief valve first, then get back to me.
Also look for a tag with the model and serial numbers. The model # seems odd.
Also look for a tag with the model and serial numbers. The model # seems odd.
revtwo
06-04-08, 06:10 PM
The pressure relief valve is dry. I actually replaced it last week, after opening it there was evidently rust and it didn't close properly. It's dry now. I did find the model number, FPSH 40 236, the serial number is MH99-0081422-S19.
Thanks for the quick reply. Looks like I have a project for Saturday.
Thanks for the quick reply. Looks like I have a project for Saturday.
plumbingods
06-04-08, 07:24 PM
OK, I found your water heater.
http://www.hotwater.com/lit/partslists/PSD1287.pdf
If you do not see water from any plumbing devices and you see no water or moisture coming from the relief valve, the only things left to check are part # 20, the gas control valve and the drain at the bottom. If you find both those places to be dry, replace your water heater. It is gas, so it could be leaking in the core of the heater where the flue gasses go up.
http://www.hotwater.com/lit/partslists/PSD1287.pdf
If you do not see water from any plumbing devices and you see no water or moisture coming from the relief valve, the only things left to check are part # 20, the gas control valve and the drain at the bottom. If you find both those places to be dry, replace your water heater. It is gas, so it could be leaking in the core of the heater where the flue gasses go up.