Check to see if the last owner kept the extended warranty up on the water
heater. Sears loves to call up every couple years and talk you into
extending the warranty on what you have purchased.

Plan B: Get a new one.

Richard
Houston, Texas

"Robert" wrote in message
om...
Hi All:

I have a problem with my electric water heater, which is 66 gallons,
Sears brand, 13 years old.

We bought this house about six months ago. Yesterday, without any
previous symptoms, I found the water from the heater very hot -
steaming. Since we were in a hurry to go out, I just switched the
heater's circuit breaker on the main board OFF. I thought the
thermostat might have gone bad and decided to replace it by myself
today.

Today morning, I switched the circuit breaker back ON to get some hot
water (generally I don't switch off the heater at all). After an hour
or so, since I did not get any hot water, I inspected everything and
found that the circuit breaker of the water heater on the main board
had tripped.

I searched google.groups and found a lot of information regarding this
- with possible causes, (1) a stuck thermostat OR (2) bad heating
elements.

To experiment, I turned the bottom thermostat all the way to the
lowest point. Put the upper thermostat at a medium level and switched
the circuit breaker back on. Within about 5 minutes the circuit
breaker tripped again. I tried the same experiment with the upper
thermostat with similar results.

So here are my questions. I think either the thermostat(s) or the
heating element(s) had gone bad.
(1) Should I get an electrician to repair the heater - replace the
thermostats and/or the elements OR
(2) Considering the age of the heater (and the previous owner was not
good in maintaining it - she never drained it in a period of 5 years),
should I buy a new heater.

Please advice.

Thanks in advance for your time.

Robert