I installed a new water heater on 12/28/17. I did the leak test and see no bubble at the connection areas.

I can smell gas from the top of the thermostat unit when i put my nose right next to it. I don't have to be that close when it is running though, i would say 3-4 in to smell it. I wiped some soapy water round the "green" mark in the picture below but i didn't see any bubble. I can smell gas but you have to be close to the thermostat.

is there a small leak or is this normal for a new water heater ? or Is it because I'm using a 48" gas line ? (the only one they have next to the water heater supplies area at Home Depot) I order a shorter one online so it's on the way.

I emailed Rheem but it might take a while from them to reply.

 

No it's not normal. And I think you mean the gas valve assembly, not the thermostat. You have a leak somewhere. It could be in the innards that you can't get to. I doubt it's the 48" flex hose. At least not because its 48". Might be defective. Or the gas valve might be defective. If you can't determine specific problem, you can call the gas company and they will come out and using a very sensitive meter will verify a leak. But they will also turn off your supply if found. And cannot be turned back on until a qualified technician checks it.

 

Picture #4 of my 1st post -- owner manual-- Combination Gas Control (Thermostat). so i'm calling like how they marked it.

I called the gas company and my suspicion was correct. There's gas leak within the thermostat unit (marked green in my picture).

I asked the gas guy about

the 48"line -- he said it is fine.
expansion tank-- no need
sediment trap -- no need

He did detect gas leak on top of the thermostat unit-- the meter was showing 22-53- ish on the leak detector. He turned off my gas supply next to the water heater and the water heater and tagged it. He also gave me 2 pieces of paper with comments" gas leak from top of the water heater control valve".

I'm on the phone with Rheem right now... 20+ minutes on hold for a water heater that i bought 6 days ago.....:/

 

And I have picked out a Rheem gas water heater that I plan to buy in the near future! Hmmm...

 

Rheem is alright. I'd call that very rare problem. Possibly the unit was dropped on the control box in shipping and dislodged something.

 

I was on hold for about 35+ minute after calling the 1-866-279-4566. It's the service number for Rheem water heater for my area. It's quicker when you got the gas company out and got the paper work done. It looks like it's a common problem because they know exactly what it is when i read the statement from the gas guy. I got off the phone with Rheem around 41 minutes. They will be sending in a new thermostat and have someone stop by to install on Thursday. I guess we will not have any hot water for 2 days..

As for the packaging, there no Styrofoam to protect the heater so it's a possibility. The saleman from Costco warned me about defective Honeywell thermostat that comes with Rheem water heater when he quoted me ($1299 for 50gal 40K BTU AO Smith water heater).

I hope this is just a one time thing... I do not want to wait 35+ minutes and wait for 2 days with no hot water again. This is the first time i had to call for warranty service a few days after I bought an appliance...

It's still within the 2 year free labor so everything is free...

 

I had to go smell mine. I got my nose right on the top of the housing and I DID smell something. Unfortunately I can't tell if it is gas or simply the smell of the Teflon paste I used on the pipe fittings.

 

turn the heater on and let it run for about 1-2 minute -- you should smell gas or detect it with the meter a lot easier if there's a leak without having to be right next to it

 

I don't smell gas with the new thermostat so i guess it was not normal after all ..


I found 2 threads with similar problems and the answer from Bradford White is pretty suspicous

https://terrylove.com/forums/index.p...-normal.67017/
https://terrylove.com/forums/index.p...ve-unit.46536/

 

I just bought the same one from home depot for $600+ bucks and I can also smell gas near the top of the unit above the thermostat. Hmmmmm. Im calling the gas company asap.