Paul O. wrote:

Have a few questions concerning the valve on our water heater. It is in our
mobile home and is about 6 years old. The wife got hot water for about 1/2
bathtub of water. I went out to look at the heater and the pilot was going
but not the burner. I started rapping on the valve and thermostat housing
and the burner came on. So apparently the valve was stuck. So now my
questions:
1) Is this a sign of more frequent problems?
2) Can this housing, valve and thermostat be replaced easily, or at all? If
so is it worth it on a 6 year old heater?
3) If the valve can stick closed, can it stick open allowing the burner to
keep burning?
Thanks for your input here, I know little about this.


You're right to be concerned. The valve could just as easily
stick open.

The complete control is indeed replaceable, but on a 6yr old
heater not cost-effective IMHO. The control alone will cost you
close to $100. That's a good fraction of a new heater cost.
Gas heaters have an average life of 10 yrs.

Jim