Kenmore 153.31206 Owner's Manual page 20

Service and Adjustment (cont'd)
10. A new gasket should be used in all cases toprevent a possi-
ble water leak. (See Element Gasket in the Parts Order List
Chart). Place the new element gasket on the thread side of
the cleaned or new element and screw into tank, securing
tighdy using an element wrench.
7. Disconnect the two wires on the element and unscrew the
old element from the tank.
8. Clean the area around the element opening. Remove any
sediment from or around the element opening and inside
the tank.
9. If you are cleaning the element you have removed, do so by
scraping or soaking in vinegar or a de-liming solution.
11. Close the water heater drain valve by turning the handle to
the right (dockwise). The drain valve is on the lower front
of the water heater.
12. Open the cold water supply valve to the water heater.
NOTE: The cold water supply valve must be left open
wfien the water heater is in use.
13. To insure complete filling of the tank, allow air to exit by
opening the nearest hot water faucet. Allow water to run
until a constant flow is obtained. This will let air out of the
water heater and the piping.
&CAUTION
Never use this water heater unlessit is completely full of I
water. To prevent damage to the tank and heating ele-
ment, the tank must be filled with water. Water must
flow from the hot water faucet before turning "ON"
power.
14. Check element for water leaks. If leakage occurs, tighten
element or repeat steps 2 and 3, remove element and reposi-
tion gasket. Then repeat steps 10 through 14.
15. Reconnect the two wires to the element and then check to
make sure the thermostat remains firmly against the surface
of the tank.
AWARNING
Replacement elementsmust (I) be the samevoltageand
(2) no greater wattage than listed on the model rating
p ate affixedto the water heater.
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