Rheem warrior water heater tthermostat replacement?

by Water Heaters on May 15, 2010

I have a 5 year old 40 gal Rheem warrior electric water heater. It is set on 110 degrees. Over the past month the water is coming out at 138 degrees. Could it be the thermostat. This one model 71-40d 8 has a upper and lower thermostat. Is there a way to know which one is bad and where can I get the thermostat at. How do I replace it. Thanks


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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

Corky R May 15, 2010 at 12:22 pm

If your unit has two thermostats they should both be replaced. It’s about a 15 minute job to replace them. They are simply held against the tank by a metal clip attached to the element opening. If you have a doubt about the possibility of getting the right thermostats, take a picture with a cell phone or a digital camera and take it along to the plumbing shop. That way you can make sure you’ve got the right thing before you get back home. Remove and replace each wire to the same screw on the new thermo that it came off on the old, then put the new one under the clip and you’re done. They’re not terribly expensive either, I think the last ones I did cost about $20 for both.

rangedog May 15, 2010 at 12:22 pm

Are both thermostats set at the same temperature. Very important that they are.

The thermostats do need to be touching flat against the tank to be accurate. If one looks crooked there is a good chance it is away from the tank just enough to cause problems.

I can usually smell a thermostat that has gone bad. They smell burnt.

Edit:
You know, I came back with more info for you, but after seeing the other answer, it’s best you simply replace both stats.
I’m a troubleshooter, so I wouldn’t. Mainly because new stats go out too, so I only replace what is necessary to get the customer up and going again.
But ya, just replace them. Both of them.

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