On Nov 30, 1:50�pm, (Chris Lewis) wrote:
According to :

The lower element on my sears water heater is not working -- it looks
as if one of the wires has melted. �I'd like to replace it but im
wondering how difficult it is to do. �Can anyone let me know?

If one of the supply wires has melted, you may just need to cut
it back to good wire and reattach. �Use emory cloth or sandpaper
or something abrasive to clean the terminal contact - a poor
connection is probably why it melted in the first place. �Don't
forget to turn the power off first!

If the existing wire becomes too short, grafting on a chunk of
suitably sized wire with wirenuts or replacing it will work.
Get suitably rated wire from an electrical supply store. �Eg:
10ga stranded (THHN I think, tell them what it's for. �Regular
90C-rated wire should be okay).

Franz gave full and detailed instructions on how to replace the
element. �I'd only add: while the element is out of the tank,
inspect the tank through the hole for sediment, and if there is
lots, remove it. �If you have a wet/dry shopvac, it'll make it
easy - find a piece of tubing just small enough to go through
the hole, and duct tape it to the shopvac hose. �A chunk of garden
hose will work, but you want it as big as possible (sometimes
the sediment is rather, er, "chunky" ;-) yet still fit through
the hole.

Also, i have a upper element part but not a lower. �Are these
interchangable or do i need to buy a lower element.

They're often interchangeable. �You can check the parts list or
online sources, or compare the one you have with the one you pull out. �Or,
perhaps it will have visible part numbers on the outside flange,
so you can check before you have to take the tank out of service
for repair.
--
Chris Lewis,

Age and Treachery will Triumph over Youth and Skill
It's not just anyone who gets a Starship Cruiser class named after them.

buy a cap for the drain valve, its highly likely to leak. start early
in morning and be prepared to buy a new tank if it doesnt go well