"longshot" wrote in message
news:4wc5e.12677$yg7.9327@attbi_s51...




Switch it anywhere between $6 and $20 depending on where you buy it...

Not being an ass, but instead of changing parts, why not find out what
is
wrong with it...


yes, i would like to. it blew a leak, I changed the fried element, still
no
hot water. what's wrong with it?



The elements are not arranged in series, electrically. One element going bad
will not stop the other one from functioning. When the thermostat detects
cooler water on the bottom of the tank, it turns on the bottom element. When
the thermostat detects cooler water at the top of the tank, it switches the
bottom element off and turns on the top element until the top of the tank is
hot again. Then it turns the top element off and the bottom element back on
until the water throughout the tank is heated.

Since you have replaced the top element and you are still getting no hot
water, then it is very likely not the elements that are the problem. Even if
somehow both elements blew at the same time (causing your initial 'no hot
water' problem) you'd still be getting a small amount of hot water now that
the top element has been replaced.

Your problem lies elsewhere.... in something that controls both elements.