Igniter System - Whirlpool Residential Gas Water Heater Installation Instructions And Use & Care Manual

Replacing the Manifold Assembly
WARNING
Explosion Hazard
Tighten both manifold door screws
securely.
Remove any fiberglass between gasket
and combustion chamber.
Replace viewport if glass is missing or
damaged.
Replace two piece wire connector if missing
or removed.
Replace door gasket if damaged.
Failure to follow these instructions can
result in death, explosion, or fire.
1. Check the door gasket for damage or imbedded debris
prior to installation.
2. Inspect the viewport for damage and replace as
required.
3. Insert the manifold assembly into the burner
compartment making sure that the tab of the manifold
tube engages in the slot of the bracket inside the
combustion chamber (Figure 34).
4. Inspect the door gasket and make sure there is no
fiberglass insulation between the gasket and the
combustion chamber.
5. Replace the two screws which secure the manifold
assembly door to the combustion chamber and tighten
securely. There should be no space between the
gasket part of the manifold door and combustion
chamber. IMPORTANT: Do not operate the water
heater if the door gasket does not create a seal
between the manifold door and the combustion
chamber.
6. Reconnect the yellow wire leads to the thermal switch
(Figure 27), the manifold tubing (3/4" wrench) and
pilot tubing (7/16" wrench), to the gas control valve/
thermostat. Do not cross-thread or apply any thread
sealant to the fittings.
NOTE: L.P. Gas systems use reverse (left-hand)
threads on the manifold tube.
7. If replacing the pilot tube, install ferrule nut supplied with
kit into the gas valve at the pilot tube location, hand tight
only. Insert pilot tube into ferrule nut until tube bottoms out
then tighten nut with a 7/16" wrench until crimp connection
seals to pilot tube. Continue to tighten until the nut is tight
in gas valve.
8. Reconnect the igniter wire to the gas control valve/
thermostat.
9. Turn the gas supply on and check for leaks. Test the
water heater by brushing on an approved noncorrosive
leak detection solution. Bubbles forming indicate a leak.
Correct any leak found.
10. Refer to the "Lighting Instructions" on page 16. With the
burner lit, check the gas control valve/thermostat supply
line, manifold component block, manifold tube, and pilot
tube connections for leaks. Check for leaks by brushing
on an approved noncorrosive leak detection solution.
Bubbles forming indicate a leak. Correct any leak found.
IMPORTANT: All leaks must be fixed immediately
11. Replace the outer door.
Figure 33
Combustion Chamber
Door Gasket
Figure 34
Manifold Assembly Close-up
Burner
Manifold Tube

Igniter System

The STP (Spark to Pilot) igniter system consists of the
pilot, electrode, and wire. The pilot is ignited by an electric
spark generated when the gas control valve/thermostat
sends an electrical signal to the electrode. Use only factory
authorized STP igniter parts for replacement.
Figure 35
Gas Igniter Assembly
Igniter Wire
Connection
Point
Flame-trap
Bracket
Close-up inside view of
the combustion chamber.
Tab
Slot
Bracket
Pilot
Electrode
Pilot/Igniter-Flame
Sensor Bracket
25