Water Heater quit working!!!

MikeVila

Probably couple years ago I had a problem which turned out to be the lower element. The hot water gradually started fading as you had to start using less cold water and eventually none. Replaced the lower element and wala. Well yesterday the wife asks if i've messed with the hot water heater. I say no, why? She goes on to say that it got extremely hot and about burnt her not its usual temperature setting. I say no and just dismiss her as complaining lol. Today she takes a shower and half way through she loses hot water. I go to get in shower and NO hot water. Wait a while and NO hot water. Later on this evening NO hot water. What is it this time? Doesn't seem like the lowere element from how it acted last time. Is this how the upper element acts when it goes out? Thx. in advance. Mike.

broox

It sounds like your lower thermostat has gone bad. Sometimes the lower thermostat gets stuck open or on and it won't turn off and then the upper thermostat gets so hot it trips the internal breaker. Sounds like you need a new lower thermostat to me.

MikeVila

I took the top cover off and pressed the reset on the thermostat. It did click as if it was resetting but when I turned the breaker on still nothing. Man last time it took me forever to get the water to start draining from the tank out the hose to outside. Too cold to leave door open in 25degree weather trying to get it to drain. What is the proper testing to test the element? Thx. Mike.

broox

Do you have an amprobe or a continuity checker?

broox

If you have an amprobe, you can test each element as it should be heating. If an element is drawing 15-19 amps, it is working.

If the breaker on the top thermostat was tripped, I would start by replacing both thermostats-and you do not have to drain the tank to do it.

MikeVila

All I have is a digital multimeter.

MikeVila

I pressed the reset and it did make a clicking sound and if I press it now it doesn't do it anymore so I assume it was tripped but when I turn the breaker on you don't hear the unit working still. I guess I will test the elements. Is there a way to test the thermostats and I assume they're pretty simple to just swap out also? How do I know what I need. I appreciate the help. If I remember right the elements went off wattage if that's correct. Mine are 4500 watts.

MikeVila

Just checked the lower element and got 12.5 with digital multimeter. I am about to check the upper. So if they both check out then I replace both elements? What caused it to trip and why and what is to stop it from tripping and ruining thermostats again? Thx. Mike.

MikeVila

O.K. upper element tested at 12.9. Where do I go from here guys. Thx. Mike.

MikeVila

I checked and the upper element has 243 volts and the lower elements is getting no voltage. So is the problem the lower thermostat since the element checked out?

broox

Elements only heat one at a time, the upper one first, then the lower element second. If the elements are pulling amps, I believe they are working. There is no way to test a thermostat short of a laboratory. Don't base everything on whether you hear it working. Again, I do not think it is your elements, but your thermostats. Good Luck!!

MikeVila

I am not getting any voltage to the lower element so I am replacing the lower thermostat.

broox

When are you not getting voltage? you won't get voltage at the lower until the upper thermostat is satisfied and throws the voltage to the lower

Jackofall1

12.5??? What, amps, volts, ohms??

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MikeVila

12.5 ohms. When power is on there is no voltage to the lower while voltage to the upper.