On 13 Feb 2005 10:58:05 -0800, "Paul in Boise"
wrote:

I have a Rheem 50 gal gas water heater (21V50-2) and need a little help
in isolating the problem. Based on some of the post I read on this NG
it will likely be "layup" for someone.

So a few days ago the pilot lit went out, and now to days later it
won't stay lit. Here are the tests I have done, any suggestions on
which component is failing?


1. The pilot flame looks normal so I don't think there is an issue
with this.

2. I can turn thermostat all the way down to "vacation" and the pilot
will stay lit by it self all night.

3. There seems to be a lot of heat coming out of the lower panel that
pilot light feeds through. The outside sidewall of the heater right
about this panel opening is starting to mis-color from the heater
(brownish). I have had the panel cover off a bit lately but there does
still seem to be an unusual amount of heat coming out.

4. Once lighted and on med-hi to high I only get about 20mins before
burner and pilot goes out. I am not sure if it's relevant but when all
the hot water is out and the heater has to heat all 50 gallons from
cold to hot I still can only get 20 mins out of it. If I turn the temp
down to low it will stay lit a lot longer.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions on what the problem is.

Thanks,
Paul

Clean the pilot head.
Replace the thermocouple.
Temp setting has nothing to do with the pilot going out.
Check the venting and proper chimney sizing to keep the flue gases
going up and out the chimney and not down drafting back out the front
of the water heater.
If its and old water heater ( 10 yrs or so) think about replacing it.
Bubba