How much rust...

mikemac52

… is enough to panic?

Need to replace pilot assembly on a Rheem gas water heater. Found a heapum pile of rust particles on top of the burner from the heat exchanger. What I can see on the bottom away from the burner just looks like corrosion from condensation dripping from the exchanger. Though one spot on the side does seem a little concerning.

Everything is bone dry. At least when it is cold.

Two family house. Units are 11 years old.

Water heaters and the furnaces are getting close to end of life but in what I hoped, replacement would be next year after the coming heating season.

What do you think?

Larry Weingarten

Hi, This isn't scary. I'v often found burners with rust piled high on them, and have been able to keep the heaters going. I'd ask what quality of air are these heaters taking in for combustion air? Are pool chemicals or salt stored nearby? I would check anodes ASAP.

Yours, Larry

Ironman

No one can know for sure how long it’s gonna last, but as Larry said, I’ve seen much worse.

hot_rod

got a pic of the entire tank?

That is an odd looking seam and tube pic

mikemac52

@hot_rod ,no pic of entire tank. It's a Rheem Performance Plus. Everything looks hunky dory from the outside.

Not sure which pic you mean. This?

mikemac52

@Larry Weingarten "… I would check anodes ASAP."

Good idea.

Any anode rods better than the others?

Larry Weingarten

Hi, I only use magnesium for household usage. Rheem uses magnesium, but their anodes have a resistor built into the hex head of the rod. I like to use rods that show the weld bump top center of the 1-1/16" hex head. This way I know there is no resistor. I'm seeing that flex anodes cost a bit less than solid rods, maybe because of shipping. Get as large a diameter rod as you can find. Unscrewing the old rod can be "fun". 🤯 Another option is to install powered anodes. These could be transferred to new tanks if ever needed. 😇

Yours, Larry

pecmsg

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/201958/how-much-rust

1 more year leads to 1 more year that leads to 1 more year.
start making a plan for replacement, contractor make and model

mikemac52

@Larry Weingarten Power anodes? cool. That's the way to go.

@pecmsg you called it…

After replacing the pilot assembly, fired her up. All good. After it reaches temp and shuts off I hear, Drip, sizzle……. drip sizzle…..

Great. Shut off water and gas, went out for a drink while it cooled off. (not that I needed the excuse at this point). After cooling, when it was taken apart, dry?!

Opened the water back up, waited. Silence. Reassembled, wasted another gasket, fired up and same deal. After reaching temp and shutting off, the slow drip and sizzle as it hits the burner. It only lasts a minute or so and then stops. I assume it's leaking while firing but not fast or loud enough to hear.

So apart from it's time to replace the water heater, any clue what gives? (just for curiosity's sake)

Thanks for all the help.

Michael

109A_5

Could the dripping just be condensation from the flue gasses ? I'd let it run and see what happens.

mattmia2

If the tank was cold there will be a lot of condensation.