Leaking heat exchanger on a Rheem RTG-84DVLNWA

[daemoniscinxi]

Hello! I have a tankless Rheem water heater that was installed in 2014, that is currently producing no hot water. I am looking for some advice on how to repair/replace this as cheaply as possible.

* When hot water is run, the unit powers up briefly and then stops, beeps, and throws error code 11 (ignition fault).
* There is a leak from a point near the heat exchanger that has drenched the control PCB in water and the entire closet the unit is located. Please see the picture.
* I had a HVAC tech out and he said the heat exchanger is bad and the entire unit needs to be replaced, but that it is still under warranty.
* They quoted me $2100 for labor for 2-3 hours of work.
* The gas line, water lines, ventilation would not need to be modified if a replacement unit is ordered.
* All gas/water lines have valves near the unit.

Considering there are valves, and none of the piping/ventilation needs to be changed, I am confident that I can replace this unit myself. However, the distributer (Pacific) says that they don't give warrantied units directly to consumers. Is there any other alternative I can take: me replacing it somehow, repairing it, finding someone that will work by the hour instead of by the job?

Thank you for any feedback you have.

 

[Twowaxhack]

Find another distributor. Call Rheem and tell them you need a distributor to honor the warranty. They may just want to give you parts.

The tankless needs to be replaced IMO. I’d buy a Rinnai and never look back.

 

[daemoniscinxi]

Yeah, the original installer recommended a Navien NPE24A2 or a Rinnai RUR199IN, said the Rheem were garbage (why did they sell me it then!?), but wouldn't give me a discount at all even though the Rheem was still under warranty. It's considerably more expensive though to go new.

 

[Twowaxhack]

If Rheem will give you another complete unit is the only way I’d go Rheem.

I wouldn’t waste my money paying someone to completely rebuild it. Rheem knows that to be true also…..

I have had a couple customers who didn’t like Naviens warranty/customer service. I certainly don’t like them.

 

[daemoniscinxi]

Assuming I can get a replacement from Rheem, I still can't afford the $2100 labor charge quoted to me. Are there any licensed HVAC techs who work by the hour, and what is the general going rate? How do I find them? I've got a very cranky wife and kids that can't manage being without hot water for a few days lol.
Thanks!

 

[Twowaxhack]

Assuming I can get a replacement from Rheem, I still can't afford the $2100 labor charge quoted to me. Are there any licensed HVAC techs who work by the hour, and what is the general going rate? How do I find them? I've got a very cranky wife and kids that can't manage being without hot water for a few days lol.
Thanks!

I have no idea where you live or the plumbing companies in your area

It shouldn’t cost $2100 labor to swap that tankless. . Get more estimates

 

[daemoniscinxi]

Seattle suburbs. I am waiting on a couple other companies currently to get back on the labor to swap the unit. Hopefully they're more reasonable. A couple have said ~$4k for a new install so far.

 

[Twowaxhack]

Replacing that unit with a new one would take me les than 5 hrs. Probably more like 2-3 hrs.

My wife says she could replace it in 8hrs herself.

You do need a gas shut off valve, full port.

 

[daemoniscinxi]

Yeah, the valve for the gas line is right there on the very left side of the photo, but it's a standard port (not full port) from what I can tell. I'm sure I can do it myself, they just won't give the unit to me.

 

[Twowaxhack]

Yeah, the valve for the gas line is right there on the very left side of the photo, but it's a standard port (not full port) from what I can tell. I'm sure I can do it myself, they just won't give the unit to me.

They would only give you parts for that one. Tankless are plug and play. Every part on the unit is replaceable.

They must honor the warranty that they delivered to you when you bought the unit. Whatever that warranty says, they must do. So refer to your warranty paperwork.

Not their company policy or what they suggest or recommend. Always refer to the warranty paperwork when the unit was manufactured.

 

[TomFOhio]

Do you have the space to just put a 40 or 50 gallon regular water heater in?

 

[Rularn]

This thread is a few months old. Is there any update from OP? I am in the exact same situation as OP. Bought new house in 2014 with Rheem tankless water heater. Heat exchanger just started leaking this year but still produces hot water. I called Rheem and they _will_ provide a new unit for free since heat exchanger is still under warranty _but_ only a licensed plumber can exchange the current one with a new one at the distributor (Pacific Plumbing). I am also in Seattle. Quotes I get back for labor only is around $2k. I'm on the path to just buy a new unit out of pocket ($1k) and replace it myself. For ease of installation, I was planning to replace with exact same Rheem unit.

Any advice?

 

[Twowaxhack]

This thread is a few months old. Is there any update from OP? I am in the exact same situation as OP. Bought new house in 2014 with Rheem tankless water heater. Heat exchanger just started leaking this year but still produces hot water. I called Rheem and they _will_ provide a new unit for free since heat exchanger is still under warranty _but_ only a licensed plumber can exchange the current one with a new one at the distributor (Pacific Plumbing). I am also in Seattle. Quotes I get back for labor only is around $2k. I'm on the path to just buy a new unit out of pocket ($1k) and replace it myself. For ease of installation, I was planning to replace with exact same Rheem unit.

Any advice?

Yep, make them give you the part or show you in the documentation where the part has to be exchanged by a licensed plumber.

File a lawsuit…….

Then buy and install a Rinnai.