Water Heaters - American Hot water heater problems

I have a 50 gallon American Flameguard hot water heater that is 6 months old. The first problem I was having was the pilot light would not stay on. I would press down the rest button for 1+ minute and as soon as I would let go it would die. I did this several times and I finally got it started up and put the switch to on the burner would kick on and heat the water up as soon as the burner went out so did the pilot light. Right before I left the house I tried it one last time I got the pilot light to stay on but now the burner will not kick on. I had the switch in on with the hottest setting amd the burner would not kick on now. It did kick on earlier but then the pilot light would go out. Now I have a pilot light but the burner will not kick on. Can someone please help me with these 2 problems. Did one problem cause another? I have been reading I have noticed that if the pilot light will not stay on the the thermocouple is bad. But what could be the problem if I have a pilot light now and no burner? Also is it still possible once I get the burner back up that the pilot light will kick off when the burner does? Thanks for any help

First comment would be this: today's water heaters are much more susceptible to issues with combustion air. SO if your water heater is in an enclosed space...closet, small utility room, etc, then we would want to know about the supply of combustion air.

Second, American Water Heater Company is an A.O. Smith division. This family has been notorious in the FVIR era ( 2003 and later). While only the Whirlpool Brand has actually been the subject of a class action suit, that I know of, the designs are similar.

If you installed this, you need to contact the manufacturer for help. If a plumber installed it, you need to get him back.

As long as it is installed correctly, then the warranty should be covering the problem.

A plumber installed it. However I can't get a hold of him. The house is a new construction that came with a one year warranty. What is the cause of these problems?

I have the same hot water heater and am having the same issues. My heater was installed during construction so the plumber who subcontracted is no longer available. My next door neighbor also had two of the same hot water heaters installed by the same plumber and hers have gone bad too. She paid a new plumber to come in a fix the problem. My budget is very tight and I don't feel inlinced to pay to fix something that is still undeer waranty. I haven't contact american yet and talking with my neighbor it sounds llike they sent her through a lot of bs until she decided it wasn't worth the effort to have american stand behind the product. I will be more persistent.

I have an American Water Heater with issues as well. Also installed by a builder.

I contacted the 800 number on the water heater, they were helpful to a point. The guy wouldn't listen to my issue, just immediately wanted to send me out and "Updated Thermocouple Kit". Which leads me to believe the thermocouples they sent out with these things are crap.

The issue I am having it, the "reset button", the red button on the tstat/control valve will not depress which will not allow me to light the pilot.

They're overnighting me the parts at a charge ($30) so hopefully I'll get them tomorrow. I am praying, already 1 day without a shower :madhell:

Replacement Parts Instructions - Support - American Water Heaters (http://www.americanwaterheater.com/support/partsinstructions.aspx)

Their site has great instructions for replacing the thermocouple. I would be that would solve your guy's issues. It's an outsourced call center. My tank has a date of 2005 and they had no issue sending me parts for only shipping.

Does anyone know how to replace the control valve? Their site doesn't have the instructions. I replaced one on my RV, so I am guessing that it's similar. I tried googling, but didn't come up with anything. Thanks.