High Limit Question

shawninolympia · Dec 24, 2009

Merry Christmas Everyone!

So I ran to the store today and came home and my wife said she smelled something burning in my daughters room. I went in, checked everything I could and I could not find the source of the smell. For some reason, I decided to check the hotwater tank in the closet behind a false wall. The smell was coming from there. I took off the top cover where the "high limit" is and there is melted and burned plastic. Yes I turned off the breakers and tested to make sure no power was still flowing to it before I did anything. Do you think I should just replace the high limit and if so where would I go to buy one. Thanks for any help! What a time for the tank to not work! Merry Christmas!

Shawn
Olympia, Wa

Doherty Plumbing · Dec 25, 2009

shawninolympia said:
Merry Christmas Everyone!

So I ran to the store today and came home and my wife said she smelled something burning in my daughters room. I went in, checked everything I could and I could not find the source of the smell. For some reason, I decided to check the hotwater tank in the closet behind a false wall. The smell was coming from there. I took off the top cover where the "high limit" is and there is melted and burned plastic. Yes I turned off the breakers and tested to make sure no power was still flowing to it before I did anything. Do you think I should just replace the high limit and if so where would I go to buy one. Thanks for any help! What a time for the tank to not work! Merry Christmas!

Shawn
Olympia, Wa

Replace high limit and the thermostats.

Sponsor · 2022-01-29T12:20:58-0800

hj · Dec 25, 2009

high limit

The replacement "upper" thermostat will come with the high limit. You must have had a loose wire which created high resistance and heat to melt it. You will probably have to shorten, or replace some wires, to eliminate the melted portions.

shawninolympia · Dec 25, 2009

Thank you

I will give that a try tomorrow! I don't think many places are open today!

) Again, thank you for what you do and if I don't think I can handle the job I will be calling a professional. Merry Christmas!

Master Plumber Mark · Dec 25, 2009

change it all

usually the high limit fails due to a problem in
the system, a shorted out element....

I suggest you take a good look at the elements...

It really dont cost much more to
change out everything both upper and lower
t-stats and elements just to be safe

shawninolympia · Dec 25, 2009

Question

I build computers for a living. I'm not a plumber. I do have alot of mechanical ability so I know I can do this and if I don't think I can I will call someone. I do have one question. In order to change everything like you say, I have to drain the tank correct? Thanks

Redwood · Dec 25, 2009

If you are changing elements the tank has to be drained.

It does not have to be drained to change the ECO and Thermostat.

Master Plumber Mark · Dec 25, 2009

yes drain the tank

its wise to drain the tank to change the elements,
then look inside the bottom element to see how built up

the sediment and lime might be inside the heater...
scrape that out if necessary

Terry · Dec 26, 2009

If the tank is over ten years old, you may want to consider replacement on the tank too.

Water heaters tend to run in the 10 to 20 year range for life expectancy.
Though, that's an average, not a promise.

Cass · Dec 26, 2009

Redwood said:
If you are changing elements the tank has to be drained.

It does not have to be drained to change the ECO and Thermostat.

I'm not sure how you do it but I can't remember the last time I drained a water heater to change an element...

Redwood · Dec 26, 2009

Cass said:
I'm not sure how you do it but I can't remember the last time I drained a water heater to change an element...

I do it on the quick too but I would advise to home handyman type to drain a water heater....

High Limit Question

shawninolympia

Computer Repair

Doherty Plumbing

Journeyman & Gas Fitter

Sponsor

Paid Advertisement

hj

Master Plumber

shawninolympia

Computer Repair

Master Plumber Mark

Sensitivity trainer and plumber of mens souls

shawninolympia

Computer Repair

Redwood

Master Plumber

Master Plumber Mark

Sensitivity trainer and plumber of mens souls

Terry

The Plumbing Wizard

Cass

Plumber

Redwood

Master Plumber

Similar threads