Richmond (Rheem) 6G40S-36-F Gas Hot Water Heater Problem

[JimBonesMA]

I have a Richmond (Rheem, I think) 6G40S-36-F Gas Hot Water Heater.  The pilot goes out and never comes up to temp.  I suspected the thermocouple and replaced it but did not solve the problem.  I would appreciate any helpful suggestions from you guru's as to what else it may be.  Maybe I need a whole burner unit replacement (controls and all) if I can get one????

It has a six year warranty and it is months away from expiring.  I haven't contacted Richmond (Rheem) to see what they will do for me as yet.  That's a Monday AM tele call.

Thanks, Jim

[Budget Appliance Repair]

All these new FVIR (flammable vapor ignition resistant) design water heaters need periodic maintenance.

People think they are just install and forget like the water heaters of old, NOT SO!!!

This problem is usually caused by the air intake area being clogged with lint and dust, read your user manual and it should have recommended cleaning procedures, usually suggested to be done every 6 months.

Your air intakes are on the sides of your water heater, (the big grid of holes on each side of the gas control valve/T-stat).  I've never dealt with this style so don't know the recommended cleaning procedure, most likely have to disassemble and remove burner and blow compressed air from inside burner chamber to force any lint and dust back out the side it came in on.

When this style of water heater starts getting its air intake plugged it will make the pilot keep going out, as the flame isn't getting enough air to burn correctly and the combustion chamber overheats which shuts the unit down on the safety t-stat that is inline with the thermocouple or possibly a separate t-stat on the combustion chamber cover.

[JimBonesMA]

Thank you for the suggestion.  Funny because I was thinking maybe it was the exhaust ... something restricting it.  I'll find the manual online (Rheem site) and see what they recommend and follow up.

Thanks, Jim

[JimBonesMA]

No go yet. Hot water heater turns on and starts up fine. It runs for 20-25 minutes and both the burner and pilot go out together. The water in the tank gets warm but never really comes up to temp (hot-hot). Thermostat is way up.