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How much rust...

mikemac52
mikemac52 Member Posts: 58
in Domestic Hot Water

… 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?

IMG_7347.jpg

Image-1.png Image-2.png Image.png

Comments

  • Larry Weingarten
    Larry Weingarten Member Posts: 3,951

    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
  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,753

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

    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 25,651

    got a pic of the entire tank?

    That is an odd looking seam and tube pic

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • mikemac52
    mikemac52 Member Posts: 58

    @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?

    Image-4.png
  • mikemac52
    mikemac52 Member Posts: 58
    edited August 23

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

    Good idea.

    Any anode rods better than the others?

  • Larry Weingarten
    Larry Weingarten Member Posts: 3,951

    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
    pecmsg Member Posts: 6,458
    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

    Mad Dog_2
  • mikemac52
    mikemac52 Member Posts: 58

    @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
    109A_5 Member Posts: 2,757

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

    National - U.S. Gas Boiler 45+ Years Old
    Steam 300 SQ. FT. - EDR 347
    One Pipe System
    Larry Weingarten
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 14,136

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

    plumbworkerLarry Weingarten

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