Water Heaters - Power Vented Water Heater Short Cycling
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Dad24Boys
07-01-09, 07:10 AM
I have an A.O. Smith Power Shot power vented gas water heater and for the second time in less than 5 years it is short cycling. Last time I called AO Smith and they said it was probably a dirty flame sensing rod. I'm a pretty handy guy and they actually sent me a schematic of the water heater because I thought I could remove it and clean it myself but after looking at the unit I decided to have a professional do it. It cost over $100. I'm wondering two things:
1. Is it something I probably could do myself?
2. Should I have had this problem so frequently? Should AO Smith be footing the bill for this because of a faulty design?
When I'm having this problem the water doesn't heat properly and I'm sure it's costing a boatload more $$. Thanks!
1. Is it something I probably could do myself?
2. Should I have had this problem so frequently? Should AO Smith be footing the bill for this because of a faulty design?
When I'm having this problem the water doesn't heat properly and I'm sure it's costing a boatload more $$. Thanks!
skillowatt
08-06-09, 08:42 PM
I have an A.O. Smith Power Shot power vented gas water heater and for the second time in less than 5 years it is short cycling. Last time I called AO Smith and they said it was probably a dirty flame sensing rod. I'm a pretty handy guy and they actually sent me a schematic of the water heater because I thought I could remove it and clean it myself but after looking at the unit I decided to have a professional do it. It cost over $100. I'm wondering two things:
1. Is it something I probably could do myself?
2. Should I have had this problem so frequently? Should AO Smith be footing the bill for this because of a faulty design?
When I'm having this problem the water doesn't heat properly and I'm sure it's costing a boatload more $$. Thanks!
My AOSmith heater was doing the same thing - it tried to light then shut down. If the control valve displays a pattern of 6 blinks the flame rod needs to be cleaned.
I did not remove the flame rod but had just enough room to wrap a thin strip of 320 grit emery cloth around the tip of the rod and used a "shoeshine" back and forth movement to polish the tip of the rod. Worked great!! Heater lit and stayed lit since I did this 2 years ago. Good Luck. BE SURE TO SHUT OFF GAS AND POWER PRIOR TO DOING THIS.
1. Is it something I probably could do myself?
2. Should I have had this problem so frequently? Should AO Smith be footing the bill for this because of a faulty design?
When I'm having this problem the water doesn't heat properly and I'm sure it's costing a boatload more $$. Thanks!
My AOSmith heater was doing the same thing - it tried to light then shut down. If the control valve displays a pattern of 6 blinks the flame rod needs to be cleaned.
I did not remove the flame rod but had just enough room to wrap a thin strip of 320 grit emery cloth around the tip of the rod and used a "shoeshine" back and forth movement to polish the tip of the rod. Worked great!! Heater lit and stayed lit since I did this 2 years ago. Good Luck. BE SURE TO SHUT OFF GAS AND POWER PRIOR TO DOING THIS.