American Water Heater Company - Craftmaster - Whirlpool Water Heater - DEFECTIVE - Page 6 - Plumbing Zone

Protech · 03-14-2010, 01:13 PM

I don't blame her. What would you do if you lived in 3rd world conditions and thought you had a chance with a millionaire of the opposite sex (that's what he is by their standards)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjbex

That's great, a long, long, long distance stalker.

artisancorp · 03-14-2010, 03:09 PM

Just went on my first one last night and the damn thermocoupler has reverse threads. What designer decided that was a good idea?

Plumber Jim · 03-14-2010, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by artisancorp

Just went on my first one last night and the damn thermocoupler has reverse threads. What designer decided that was a good idea?

they put in left hand threads because the thermocouple they used was the shutoff and if they use right hand threads then someone who didn't know better would replace it with a standard thermocouple.

ChrisConnor · 03-14-2010, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plumber Jim

they put in left hand threads because the thermocouple they used was the shutoff and if they use right hand threads then someone who didn't know better would replace it with a standard thermocouple.

I can't even count the times I've seen a HO screw up and try to force right hand threads into a left hand opening.

Master Mark · 03-14-2010, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by service guy

I had this problem today on my last call. Previous clients, retired low-income seniors. 2003 Whirlpool "flame guard" water heater.

The pilot won't stay lit...bad thermocouple. Also a bad expansion tank which I changed. I TRIED AND TRIED to convince the clients to let me replace this POS, since it is the worst water heater in the history of the universe, AND its out of warranty. They can't afford it, bottom line, probably living off of social security.
So I call lowe's and they have FREE burner assemblies complete with thermocouple and the new thermal switch thingamjig.

So I remove the old burner assembly, remembering to change the burner orifice as directed, and I connect the new thermocouple along with the thermal switch that now comes with it, and everything else. AND IT STILL won't stay lit. Still acts like a bad thermcouple.

SO I call whirlpool and tell them I think it must be the gas control. So now I have to order the gas control too. Customer still has no hot water, and doesn't even have the money to let me replace the heater.

Out of the goodness of my heart, I just charged them for the TXT, and told them I won't charge them anything for the burner labor, at least until I get the gas valve and get it working. And I warned them that the heater could go bad at any time, and its out of warranty, and this is a bad investment what they are doing...no choice, they have to go with the cheapest option.

What a pain...

Now I gotta order the gas control, and go BACK to this POS.

I am sorry you got yourself into this ****ty mess..

go ahead and change that part , odds are you will be pulling your hair out when it still dont come on..

we have found it to be the new crappy thermal fuse design.....overheating .

now if you take the looking glass out and you might get enough air into the unit to keep it from tripping the thermal fuse..

odds are it will all be for nill if you dont..

Master Mark · 03-14-2010, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisConnor

I can't even count the times I've seen a HO screw up and try to force right hand threads into a left hand opening.

someone needs to come up with a tool to re-tap those thermostats so the right hand thermocoupling would work

it would make them rich,
sell it on e-bay only 19.95

DUNBAR PLUMBING · 03-14-2010, 11:54 PM

The "safety" part of this water heater lies inside that thermocouple that is inside the burner assembly chamber.

They went with a left hand thermocouple so the average homeowner/idiot/plumber could NOT bypass that feature that shuts the unit down instantly.

This guy yesterday was like talking to a dictionary...guy was packed with knowledge.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Master Mark

someone needs to come up with a tool to re-tap those thermostats so the right hand thermocoupling would work

it would make them rich,
sell it on e-bay only 19.95

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03-14-2010, 03:09 PM	#52
artisancorp Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 59 My Photos	Just went on my first one last night and the damn thermocoupler has reverse threads. What designer decided that was a good idea?