john in la
Well-known Member
Came home from work today and the T&P valve on the tank is still dripping even though the tank is full of cold water and the power is off.
So obviously the T&P valve is toast.
I will replace it.
Also noticed the hose on the drain valve is dripping.
I had flushed some water out the tank with it yesterday.
It obviously will not turn all the way off now.
I will replace that also.
Took the wires off the heating elements and thermostats.
Checked the heating elements with an ohm meter.
Have continuity between the two screws.
Have no continuity between the screws and the heater case.
So the heating elements seem to be good from the info I have been able to find.
The thermostats also check out but I assumed they would since the tank is full of cold water.
So now I believe one of the thermostats is bad as in will not cut off.
I still believe something caused the water to heat above 210 degrees tripping the T&P valve.
Since the heating elements check out and are not shorted to ground I have to turn my attention to the thermostats.
So my game plan now is to replace the T&P and drain valve to stop the leaks.
Then I will turn it on and bring it up to temperature.
Once up to temperature I can check the thermostats again with an ohm meter and see if one of them is not cutting off.
With work it might be Saturday before I get to this.
I can live without hot water for a few days but do not want to have to go without water in case I run into a problem.
Thanks for your help and ideas so far.
It has been very helpful.
So obviously the T&P valve is toast.
I will replace it.
Also noticed the hose on the drain valve is dripping.
I had flushed some water out the tank with it yesterday.
It obviously will not turn all the way off now.
I will replace that also.
Took the wires off the heating elements and thermostats.
Checked the heating elements with an ohm meter.
Have continuity between the two screws.
Have no continuity between the screws and the heater case.
So the heating elements seem to be good from the info I have been able to find.
The thermostats also check out but I assumed they would since the tank is full of cold water.
So now I believe one of the thermostats is bad as in will not cut off.
I still believe something caused the water to heat above 210 degrees tripping the T&P valve.
Since the heating elements check out and are not shorted to ground I have to turn my attention to the thermostats.
So my game plan now is to replace the T&P and drain valve to stop the leaks.
Then I will turn it on and bring it up to temperature.
Once up to temperature I can check the thermostats again with an ohm meter and see if one of them is not cutting off.
With work it might be Saturday before I get to this.
I can live without hot water for a few days but do not want to have to go without water in case I run into a problem.
Thanks for your help and ideas so far.
It has been very helpful.