Troubleshooting Tips - GE GG30S BXR Series Owner's Manual

Troubleshooting
Before you call for service....
Save time and money! Review the chart below first and you may not need to call for service.
CAUTION
For your safety, DO NOT attempt to repair the gas control/thermostat, burners, gas pipes, vent pipes
or safety devices. Call a qualified service technician for repair or replacement.
Problem
OPERATION AND PERFORMANCE
Condensation
Not enough or no hot water
Water is too hot
Yellow flame or soot
Pilot burner will not light
Pilot burner will not stay lit
after gas control/thermostat
knob is released
Pilot burner lights, but main
burner will not stay lit
OTHER
Rumbling noise
T&P relief valve popping or
draining
Water dripping down surface
of water heater
Hot water has rotten egg or
sulfur smell
20
Possible Causes
New water heater filled for the first
time
Moisture accumulating from
combustion process
Undersized water heater
Demand exceeds capacity of water
heater
Low gas pressure
Pilot light outage
Water temperature set too low
Open or leaking hot water faucet
Resettable thermal cut-out device
activated
Water temperature set too high
Gas control/thermostat defective
Scale accumulated on burner
Ventilation or combustion air
restricted
Ventilation or combustion air
insufficient
Air in gas line
Pilot burner clogged
Pilot burner tube clogged or restricted • Call a qualified service technician to clean or replace the pilot burner.
Gas control/thermostat knob not
depressed when attempting to light
Thermopile disconnected
Thermopile defective
Safety magnet defective
Gas control/thermostat's gas shut-off
device activated
Resettable thermal cut-out device
activated
Resettable thermal cut-out device
activated
Mineral buildup in water tank
Pressure buildup caused by thermal
expansion
Water pipes or connectors leaking
Certain water supplies with high
sulfate content will react with the
anode rod that is present in all water
heaters for corrosion protection of
the tank
What To Do
• This is normal. The condensation will resolve after the water is heated.
• This is normal and will resolve with time. Excessive moisture can extinguish the
pilot light.
• Use a water heater with the capacity to meet your household's needs.
• Allow the water heater to recover after high demand.
• Check gas supply and manifold pressure.
• Check the pilot light through the sight glass. If needed, relight according to
instructions in Lighting and Shutdown, page 7.
• Refer to Temperature Control and About the Gas Control/Thermostat, pages
8-9.
• Confirm that all faucets are closed and not leaking.
• Call a qualified service technician.
• See Temperature Control and About the Gas Control/Thermostat, pages 8-9.
• Call a qualified service technician to replace the gas control/thermostat.
• Call a qualified service technician to clean the burner.
• Remove any obstruction from the vent pipes and combustion air inlets. See
illustration on page 16.
• Proper air supply and ventilation are essential to the safe, effective operation of
this water heater. See Air Supply and Ventilation, page 15.
• Call a qualified service technician to clear air from the gas line.
• Call a qualified service technician to clean or replace the pilot burner.
• See Lighting and Shutdown, page 7.
• Confirm that the thermopile wire connectors are firmly attached to the gas
control/thermostat. See illustrations on pages 13 and 24.
• Call a qualified service technician to replace the thermopile.
• Call a qualified service technician to replace the gas control/thermostat.
• Call a qualified service technician to replace the gas control/thermostat.
• Call a qualified service technician to inspect the resettable thermal cut-out
device.
• Call a qualified service technician.
• Drain and flush the water tank. See Water Tank, page 11.
• Must be corrected. Call a qualified service technician or plumber. DO NOT plug
the T&P relief valve.
• Tighten loose connectors. This should be done by a qualified service technician
or plumbing contractor.
• The odor can be reduced or eliminated in most water heaters by replacing
the anode rod with less-active material rod. In some cases, an added step of
chlorinating the water heater and all hot water lines may be necessary, contact
your local water professional or plumber for options and instructions.
Go to GEAppliances.com/waterheater for information on purchasing this
replacement anode rod. A qualified servicer or plumber should do this
replacement. Use of a non-GE Appliances approved anode rod, or operating
the water heater without a GE Appliances approved anode rod will VOID the
warranty.
• In certain cases, increasing the tank temperature to 140°F (60°C) can reduce
this odor issue. See the Water Temperature Adjustment section, page 5, for
safety information. Installation of temperature limiting valves can be used to
reduce risk of scalding.
49-6000245 Rev. 0