Cleaning The Flame Sensor And Igniter Rod - American Water Heater 160X3P Manual

Cleaning the Flame
Sensor and Igniter
Rod
Tools:
●
Fine steel wool or other suitable
abrasive
●
#2 Philips Screw Driver
●
Replacement gasket
1. Disconnect power to the water
heater by unplugging it from the
wall outlet or turning it off at the
circuit breaker, as appropriate.
Verify that power is off using a volt
meter or similar device.
2. Remove the front cover. It is held
on by two screws on the top and
two screws on the bottom.
Flame Sensor/Igniter Rod Assembly
Figure 15: Igniter Rod/Flame Sensor Cleaning
3. Remove the rod assembly as
described below.
3.1 Locate the yellow, grey and
green wires located in the
center of the unit (beside the
sight glass).
3.2 Disconnect these wires.
NOTICE: The yellow wire
is locked onto the rod's
conduc ve spade. To release
the fl ame sensor connector,
follow the instruc ons in
Figure 16.
Press small
tab.
Flame Sensor Connector Flame Sensor Conn
Figure 16: Removing flame sensor connector.
3.3 Remove the four Phillips-
head screws holding the
panel in place.
3.4 Pull the assembly out.
NOTICE:
•
The flame sensor is
separate from the rest of
the assembly.
•
Be careful to not drop or
lose the sight glass.
4. Inspect the ceramic insulators for
chips or cracks. (These ceramic
insulators holds the flame sensor
and igniter rods in place.)
Replace it if any chips or cracks are
visible or if either rod moves freely
inside the ceramic.
5. Clean the flame sensor and igniter
rod as described.
5.1 Clean the por on of the
flame sensor and igniter
rod that extends to the
inside of the burner. Use
fi ne steel wool or other
suitable abrasive. Be sure
to remove any oxida on or
contaminates.
5.2 Do not clean the external
fl ame sensor rod or igniter
rod connec on points. Clean
only the metal extensions on
the inside of the burner.
6. Reassemble the unit in reverse
order: gasket, rods, and metal
On-Demand Water Heater Service Handbook for X3P Models
cover. Be sure to connect all 3
wires on the front of the burner.
Also, inspect all gaskets to make
sure that they are free of debris
and are not ripped or torn. If the
gaskets are ripped or torn, replace
them BEFORE reassembly.
7. Verify proper operation.
• 33