How do I Troubleshoot a Rheem Burner?
Rheem has been a well-established name in water heater manufacturers since the 1930s, with national distribution. The company now bills itself as the one-stop air and water comforts provider. Troubleshooting the Rheem burner on the gas water heater is advanced, and too difficult for beginners. The pilot burner is used to light the main gas burner when the thermostat gives the signal to run hot water. As such, if the (pilot) burner is malfunctioning, the main burner will not be lit when the thermostat sends the signal. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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1
Check the power switch first, If the hot surface igniter does not burn and glows red. Check to see that you have 120 volts of AC power. Use a voltage meter to affirm you have 24 volts on the control module at terminals TH and GND. If you do not have 24 volts, examine the transformer, vacuum switch and thermostat. Continue the sequence in this manner, if you do have 24 volts. Confirm that you also have 120 volts between the two ING terminals. If you have said voltage, replace the igniter; if not, replace the control module. If both of these check out fine, check for lock out. Try turning the unit off and waiting 15 to 20 seconds; then, turn it back on.
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2
Cover these points if the igniter does burn red, and the main burner fails to light. Check first, then open the supply valves to the heater, then see if the main burner will light. If the lines are already open, look at polarity on line 1 and 2, making sure polarity is not reversed.
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3
Make sure of the correct position for the igniter, at 5/8-inch to 6/8-inch covering the igniter tip. Check the voltage reading for 24 volts at terminals TH and TR of the gas valve. If you do not have voltage, replace the control module; but if voltage is there, replace the gas valve.
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4
Use the following test series only if polarity is affirmed, ground has been confirmed, valid gas pressure and lock-up pressure have been verified, and the water heater is in fail mode. The blower is running, but there is no flame in the combustion chamber.
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5
Let the blower run just like this for approximately five to seven minutes, to rid the system of any unburned gases. Verify that you have 24 volts of AC on the yellow wire at the ignition control. If 24 volts are present, turn off the heater and disconnect the wire from the heater control.
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6
Measure the resistance with an ohm meter, looking for between 70 and 100 ohms. With the meter hooked up, apply torch heat from the middle of the igniter to the end, but not the base, checking to see the resistance drop to around 30 ohms or below. Replace the igniter if the drop does not occur.
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Tips & Warnings
If no voltage is present at Step 6, special diagnostic tools are required to further test other components, like the blower motor, vacuum switch, venting and related parts.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit hot tap image by pncphotos from Fotolia.com
