Rhreem Power Vent 2 works for about 5 minutes and then seems to over heat

dagint

Hello,



I have a Rheem Power

Vent 2 40 gallon water heater.  It was new with the home and is now

about 11 or 12 years old now.  Friday the blower motor stopped working

and would only buzz and would do the 4 flash error code.







For a while I was about to get it work for about 5 minutes.  burner

would fire and blower would work and then very suddenly, after about 5

minutes of working, the motor would sound like it was wining, where it

was still running but something was stopping it.  When this occurs the

vent stops pushing air out of course and gets hot and the motor seems to

over heat.







Because the temp, pressure/vacuum switch, and blower are in

the same device I replaced the unit, part #sp12562.  While installing

the new unit we ran a snake through the vent from both directions and

there was nothing clogging the vent.





Installed the new unit let it run and checked it an hour or 2

later and the same issue.  Blower motor buzzing when attempting to start

and is very hot when issue occurs.  4 Flash error code. 



Waited

for blower to cool and kicked off the process again, runs for 5 minutes

then blower motors starts whining and gets hot and eventually shuts

down sometime buzzing like it's trying to start the motor but can't.





Checked the element, removed the plate element fires correctly

flame is blue the entire time including when the blower starts

whining/getting hot.



We removed the temp sensor (putting tape over the whole during test) same symptoms. 





Checked outlet is 120v and the blue wire #8 gets 120v the entire time.



Removed

power vent and pulled up metal deflector in the center of unit as far

as I could everything looks normal.  There was a little corrosion near

the top, but nothing excessive.





Checked the vacuum tube, it's clean no clogs.



Again

this water heater has been in my house for 11 or 12 years and there

have been no major changes to my home.  I'm wondering if there might be

anything else to look for  to help resolve.

Bob Gagnon plumbing and heating

Maybe It's Time

For a new water heater? They only seem to last about ten or twelve years in my neck of the woods.



Thanks, Bob Gagnon

ChrisJ

Problems

I'm not a pro but we recently tried to troubleshoot my dad's 6 year old Bradford White power vent heater and gave up.  After cleaning the pilot, changing the pilot, changing the burner assembly and I can't remember what else he just bought a new heater.

icesailor

Connections:

You need to put an Amp clamp on the hot wire to the motor after the plug or any place where the motor feed wire goes to the motor. As close to the motor is best. I would be checking for a bad receptacle and resistance through the plug. You will get 120volts but if the amp draw through the plug is high, it will cause the motor to overheat and be ruined. Sounds like a bad connection.

Everyone needs a decent Amp Clamp. Owning both analog and digital has benefits. Don't leave the shop without them.