Kenmore 153.330701 Troubleshooting Guide, Start Up Conditions, Condensation, Smoke/Odor

Troubleshooting Guide

Start Up Conditions

CONDENSATION

Whenever the water heater is filled with cold water, a certain

amount of condensation will form while the burner is on. A

water heater may appear to be leakingwhen in fact the water is

condensation. This usually happens when:

•When a new water heater is filled with cold water for the first time.

•When gas burns and water vapor isproduced in water heaters, particularly high efficiency models where flue tem- peratures are lower.

•When you use large amounts of hot water in a short time and the refill water is very cold.

Moisture from the products of combustion condense on the cooler tank surfaces and form drops of water which may fall onto the burner or other hot surfaces to produce a "sizzling" or "frying" noise.

Excessive condensation can cause pilot outage due to water run- ning down the flue tube onto the main burner and putting out the pilot.

Because of the suddenness and amount of water, condensation water may be diagnosed as a "tank leak". After the water in the

tank warms up (about 1-2 hours), the condition should disappear.

Do not assume the water heater is leaking until there has been enough time for the water in the tank to warm up.

An undersized water heater will cause more condensation. The

water heater must be sized properly to meet the family's demands for hot water including dishwashers, washing machines and shower heads.

Excessive condensation may be noticed during the winter and

early spring months when incoming water temperatures are at their lowest.

Good venting is essential for a gas fired water heater to operate

properly as well as to carry away products of combustion and water vapor.

SMOKE/ODOR

It is not uncommon to experience a small amount of smoke and odor during the initial start-up. This is due to burning off of oil from metal parts, and will disappear in a short while.

THERMAL EXPANSION

Water supply systems may, because of high line pressure, fre- quent cut-offs, the effects of water hammer and others, have

installed devices such as pressure reducing valves, check valves, back flow preventers, etc. to control these types of problems. When these devices are not equipped with an internal by-pass, and no other measures are taken, the devices cause the water sys- tem to be closed. As water is heated, it expands (thermal expan-

sion) and closed systems do not allow for the expansion of heat- ed water.

The water within the water heater tank expands as it is heated and increases the pressure of the water system. If the relieving

point of the water heater's temperature-pressure relief valve is reached, the valve will relieve the excess pressure. The tempera-

ture-pressure relief valve is not intended for the constant

relief of thermal expansion. This is an unacceptable condition and must be corrected.

It is recommended that any devices installed which could create a closed system have a by-pass and/or the system have an expan- sion tank to relieve the pressure built by thermal expansion in the water system. Expansion tanks are available for ordering through the Sears Service Center. Contact the local plumbing inspector, water supplier, and/or the Sears Service Center for assistance in controlling these situations.

Thermal Expansion Tank Specifications

Model	I Tank		Capacity	Dimensions	in Inches	Pipe	Fitting
Number	I	In	Gallons	Diameter	Length	On	Tank
153.331020			2	8 inches	12_ inches	_"	Male
153.331050	I		5	llinches	il4_inches!	_"Male

_E,WARNING

HOTTER WATERCAN SCALD:Water heaters are intendedto

pr_..uce hot water, Water heated to a temperaturewhichwill satisfydotheswashing,dishwashing,and other sanitizingneeds

canscaldand permanentlyinjureyou uponcontact.Somepeo- ple are more likelyto be permanentlyinjuredby hot water than others.Theseincludethe elderly,children,the infirm,or physical- ly/mentellyhandicappedIf. anyoneusinghot water in yourhome fits into oneofthusegroupsor ifthere isa localcodeor statelaw requiring a certaintemperaturewater at the hot water tap,than foumusttake specialprecautionsIn. additionto usingthe lowest 3ossibletemperaturesettingthat sa_t'msyourhot water needs,

imeanssuchas a mixingvalve,shouldbe usedat the hot water tapsusedbythese peopleor at the water heater,Mixingvalves are availableat plumbingsupplyor hardwarestores.Followman- ufacturers instructionsfor installation of the valves.Before changingthe factory setting on the thermostat, read the "Temperature Regulation"sectioninthis manual.

Expansion Tank		Sizing		Chart
	Inlet*		Water		Heater		Capacity		(Gallons)
	Water
Expansion	Pressure		30		40	!	50	'	66		82
	40psi	I	2	;	2		2	i	5		5- -
Tank
Capacity	50psi		2	4	2	I	2	i	5		--
				1		,		_			5
Needed	60psi-	-I-2		i	2	-!	5_-:---5-_
	70psi	[	2	!	2	i	5		5	,	5
	! 80psi		2		5		5	'	5	]	5

*Highest recorded inlet water pressure in a 24 hour period or regulated water pressure.

NOTE: Expansion tanks are pre-charged with a 40 psi air

charge. If the inlet water pressure is higher than 40 psi, the

expansion tanks air pressure must be adjusted to match that pressure, but must not be higher than 80 psi.

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