Hot water heater luke warm

[wolfwolf]

So about 6 days ago our hot water heater started producing luke warm water.
1. We checked the elements 1 was bad and replaced them both
2. We by passed the thermostats to auto power the bottom element (We got hot water)
3. Knowing we most likely blew the elements we replaced them both AGAIN
4. We thought the thermostat was bad replaced them both
5. We than checked every single wire no issue 240v everything its testing 100% fine
6. We did find out the breaker was somewhat burnt and replaced the breaker
7. After wiring it back up right, back to luke warm water
Decide to replace the water heater and buy a brand new one.

Put it in installed.
1. Turned all of the faucets on to make sure it properly filled up
2. Made sure the heater was 100% full
3. Turned the power back on
4. Waited 2hrs got luke warm water again
5. (decide) to wait 6hrs still luke warm water

We cant really think of ANYTHING wrong to make the heater not heat right...
(We use will water, it is summer so the water didn't suddenly drop in temp. either)

 

[frodo]

double check upper/lower element is correct element for heater

look at both t-stats set at 110 degrees

check your electrical connections for tightness

check braker for tripped condition

 

[phishfood]

Use a pan to catch some water from the relief valve, and use a kitchen thermometer to check the temperature of that.

 

[journeyman]

It is possible you have a bad dip tube on heater

 

[wolfwolf]

@frodo It is because it came from the factory, Both were set all the way to 90, connections 100% tight, Breaker is 100% perfect
@journeyman Our old water heater was doing the same exact thing (Both dip tubes are perfect)

We decide to disconnect the bottom element to see if the top one would heat.
Once we did that the water went from 70degrees up too 90 degrees now from the tap
We turned the bottom thermostat up too 120 and awaiting results (Before the bottom element would never turn on so were getting somewhere)

 

[journeyman]

Ok let me ask did you completely fill tank with water before start up if not it will burn out elements

 

[johnjh2o]

Could be a faulty cartridge in a tub or shower single lever valve causing the cold water to mix with the hot though out the system.

 

[wolfwolf]

@journeyman yes after 5hrs the tank better be full when we replaced the 2 elements AGAIN today
@johnjh2o weve checked theres not mixing between hot and cold water anywhere

Water is still only luke warm

 

[journeyman]

Turn off hot water valve to house then go to faucet and turn on hot side if water comes out you have a bleed over

 

[wolfwolf]

0 bleed over

 

[Caduceus]

Did you check the water temperature from the T&P valve as phishfood recommended? for two tanks to suddenly have the same issue, especially the new one, there has to be something being missed here. Has anything been worked on or added to the plumbing recently? It does sound like a cross over of hot and cold. When checking for cross over, did you check from a two handled faucet?

 

[wolfwolf]

@caduceus No plumbing work has been done for over 2years, yes we checked from all of the faucets in the hose shower and all there is 0 cross over

Home depot told us to bring it back and get a brand new one, they said if it dosnt work there going to send over there person who manages there plumbers for this area to look at it

 

[frodo]

when you filled the water heater with water, did you bleed the air out of the tank as it was filling ?

before you turned on the element?

what faucet did you use to bleeed the air ?

my guess is the faucet has trash in the divertor from bleeding causeing it to bleed over

 

[wolfwolf]

Turn out it was a bad hot water heater, the new one works great ! Thanks for all the help!

 

[LimitlessHsolutions]

Now I think buying the new one is the only option !!

 

[InnovativePP]

Is there a recirculating pump on the unit? If so, it could be failing. If not, perhaps the anode rod needs to be replaced.

I would have initially guessed that it was the heating element but since you replaced that already, it could be that there is sediment in the heater and flushing it could remove a majority of the deposits. Good luck!