Plumbers: Water heater woes - fix or replace?

[indyjohn]

Looking for the plumbers here to weigh in on my situation.

10 years into a Kenmore 12 year 50 gal natural gas fired water heater, throwing a code that equals 'Temperature sensor failure'. Troubleshooting says replace Gas Control Valve/Thermostat, which is to say the main logic board. That's a little over $200 for parts and my time to swap it.

It is still making hot-ish water so I have so time to consider my options. I have not reset it yet but plan to maybe tomorrow; I am concerned it will not make any hot water after I do. We are on city water with no softener in front of the heater so calcification is also a concern. A new replacement is north of $799 and again my labor to replace it.

We are in this house for maybe four more years. I'm on the fence about what to do. I really don't want to dump $900 and a weekend when I could get by with $200 and a Saturday.

What's been the experience out there and general consensus on throwing parts at a water heater this old?

 

[Brandon]

I'd replace personally.
If it were newer and all the other parts (tank itself)didn't have the age on them, then yes to a fix.

 

[Farmerjon]

Have you ever drained it? Amazing what ills that kills sometimes.

 

[indyjohn]

Have you ever drained it? Amazing what ills that kills sometimes.

And it's easy to do. I will look at that.

 

[Ark]

I don't see why a temperature sensor error would necessitate replacing a gas valve or control board. Drain it, pull and inspect sensor, run continuity tests to ensure all the wires are intact, replace sensor if cheap enough to try?

 

[Leo]

For 75 years a gas water heater had a gas valve and a thermocouple. If it was not leaking, put in a new $6, thermocouple. I cannot remember changing a gas valve on a water heater. Now we have $200 control boards. How many hundred years can a standing pilot system burn before it uses $200 in gas?

Now that I ranted like the old grouch that I am, It would not make sense to put a $200 part in a 10 year old water heater.

 

[Old Dog]

New water heater and end your worries. $200 is 25% of $800, and you still have a 10 year old unit. Go new.

 

[Brandon]

For 75 years a gas water heater had a gas valve and a thermocouple. If it was not leaking, put in a new $6, thermocouple. I cannot remember changing a gas valve on a water heater. Now we have $200 control boards. How many hundred years can a standing pilot system burn before it uses $200 in gas?

Now that I ranted like the old grouch that I am, It would not make sense to put a $200 part in a 10 year old water heater.

$12 for a thermocouple as of about 3 months ago :-/

 

[CampingJosh]

How many hundred years can a standing pilot system burn before it uses $200 in gas?

A standing pilot will burn $200 in gas in two to three years--maybe less if your gas is more expensive.

 

[churchmouse]

I don't see why a temperature sensor error would necessitate replacing a gas valve or control board. Drain it, pull and inspect sensor, run continuity tests to ensure all the wires are intact, replace sensor if cheap enough to try?

It is all in one unit that has the controls/sensors/valve inside. Nothing serviceable on these units.

 

[DocIndy]

Best bet is to replace the whole thing. One less worry as to when it will finally let go and then your replacing it after dumping $200 into parts to band-aid it along.

 

[Ark]

It is all in one unit that has the controls/sensors/valve inside. Nothing serviceable on these units.

I hate the world...

 

[gmcttr]

...We are in this house for maybe four more years...

Replace it and you don't have to worry for the 4 more years you're there. When you sell the house a 4 year old water heater is going to be more attractive to buyers than a 14 year old water heater.

 

[indyjohn]

Yes, we're shopping. Final decision after shutdown, drain, refill and reset today. We shall see what happens.

 

[Ingomike]

I hate the world...

Clothes washers that can't even wash the soap out much less dirt, refrigerant that can't chill, dishwashers that can't clean dishes, the list is exhausting...

 

[WebSnyper]

Replace it and you don't have to worry for the 4 more years you're there. When you sell the house a 4 year old water heater is going to be more attractive to buyers than a 14 year old water heater.

And you will have gotten some use/benefit out of it, rather than replacing it for resale, etc.