"RBM" rbm2(remove wrote in
:

Your dad may be right about just replacing the whole thing. You need
to open the upper access panel, remove the insulation and check the
two terminals on the upper element with a volt meter to see that you
indeed have 240 volts across them, if not, you may need an upper
thermostat,

You won't have anything across it if it is not on. If the temp of the
water at the top is not below the thermostat swing, it will not be on.
The top only comes on when the bottom element cannot keep up with the
demand.

if you do, check to see what holds the element into the
tank, and remove it. Mind you, if its a screw in, you need a pretty
big socket wrench to get it out.

A water heater element wrench: http://a-1catalog.com/watheatelwre.html

With it removed, bring it to a
plumbing supply and get a replacement and gasket, and reinstall it


"Jazz" wrote in message
ups.com...
I am a computer guy, not a handy-man, so forgive the stupidity of my
question...

I have a Rheem 40 gallon water heater.
240 volts, 4500 wattage, model number 81V40D C ...

My dad, a water heater inspector for TVA, tells me the top element is
probably bad (We have some hot water, but runs out pretty fast now...
i trust his judgement since he has done it for over 25 years).

So I go to home depot to grab a new element, and I am seeing screw
in, twist in, walk in, fly in, run in, etc... :^)

can someone just tell me what to get and where to get it? Pretend I
am your stupid son and feel sorry for me and hook me up. My dad just
says "Buy a new hot water heater, they dont cost much" but I dont
have time for all that, guests arrive in about 10 days.... I know all
i will have to do is turn the breaker off, let the water cool, drain
the tank, and pull (or twist, or unscrew) the element out and slap a
new one in there...

However, I dont have an ohm meter.... i mean, does the average guy
have one of these lying around? Ive replaced light fixtures and
ceiling fans, but the more i read the more people seem to freak out
about the water heater still haveing power in it even after turning
it off at the breaker... what gives?

anyway, thanks in advance!
Jazz Mann