Troubleshooting Tips; For Service - Rheem PVR50-80 (NAT) Use And Care Manual

Before You Call For Service...

Troubleshooting Tips

Save time and money! Review the charts on the following pages first and you may not need to call for service.
This water heater incorporates a combustion shut off device that shuts the operation of the water heater
down if undesirable combustion conditions occur. Such as the presence of flammable vapors or blockage
of the combustion air inlet openings. Please contact a Qualified Service Technician if this occurs.
Problem
Condensation
Yellow flame
or soot
Unable to light
the pilot burner
Pilot burner does not stay Loose thermocouple.
when the RED
button is released
CAUTION: For your safety DO NOT attempt repair of gas piping, gas control (thermostat), burners, vent connectors or
other safety devices. Refer repairs to qualified service personnel.
Possible Causes
This usually happens when
a new water heater is
filled for the first time.
Moisture from the products
of combustion condensing
on the tank surface.
An undersized water
heater will cause
condensation.
Scale on top of the burner.
Flue or Combustion air inlet
openings are restricted.
Not enough combustion or
ventilation air supplied to
the water heater location.
Air in gas line.
Pilot burner orifice clogged.
Pilot burner tube pinched or
clogged.
Gas Cock Knob not
correctly positioned.
Thermocouple defective.
Safety magnet defective.
Gas Controls (Thermostat's)
single use gas shut-off device
has opened.
Combustion Shutoff Device
Tripped.
What To Do
This is normal. After the water in the tank warms
up, the condensation will disappear. If, however, the
condition persists, examine the piping and fittings
for possible leaks.
This is normal and will disappear in time. Excessive
condensation can cause pilot burner outage.
Use a water heater size that meets the requirements
of your needs.
Contact a qualified service technician to remove scale.
Remove obstruction or debris from flue or
combustion air inlet openings on water heater jacket.
Proper operation of the water heater requires air for
combustion and ventilation. See the Combustion and
Ventilation Air information in the "Installing The
Water Heater" section of this manual.
Contact a qualified service technician to purge the air
from the gas line.
The pilot burner should be cleaned or replaced by a
qualified service technician.
The pilot burner should be cleaned, repaired or
replaced by a qualified service technician.
See the "Lighting The Water Heater" section of this
manual.
The connection at the gas control (thermostat) should
be tightened by a qualified service technician.
The thermocouple should be replaced by a qualified
service technician.
The gas control (thermostat) should be replaced by a
qualified service technician.
The gas control (thermostat) should be replaced by a
qualified service technician.
The combustion shutoff device should be inspected
by a qualified service technician.
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