Rheem Vapor Sensor Tripping

[Alexk201]

Hi everyone! So last night the heater stopped working, I saw the seven blinks on the LED which is the vapor sensor, I took off the cover and there was some water inside and everything was rusted out, do I need to change this heater or can I just change the sensor? Changing the sensor is easy but I'm just worried about where this leaking water is coming from and all the rust.

 

[dmmsr]

Looks like you may need a new water heater. It should not be wet. You need to identify if the leak is from the tank or connections. Check the water connections to the water heater. If they're wet, dry them off and check if there is water leaking from there or not. If not then it must be the tank. Replace it.

 

[Alexk201]

Looks like you may need a new water heater. It should not be wet. You need to identify if the leak is from the tank or connections. Check the water connections to the water heater. If they're wet, dry them off and check if there is water leaking from there or not. If not then it must be the tank. Replace it.

Thanks, the connections are completely dry, it's coming from inside the tank that's why the insulation is wet as well. I'm going to call plumber tomorrow and get a new tank installed, hopefully my little hack bypassing the vapor sensor will hold for a couple days

 

[dmmsr]

Thanks, the connections are completely dry, it's coming from inside the tank that's why the insulation is wet as well. I'm going to call plumber tomorrow and get a new tank installed, hopefully my little hack bypassing the vapor sensor will hold for a couple days

Shut it off. Do not bypass the sensor. It is there for safety reasons. DO NOT LET IT RUN THAT WAY. Deal with no hot water for the night and get a new one tomorrow. The sensor shuts down the gas if there are flammable vapors. You bypass it could cause an accidental fire.

 

[Alexk201]

Shut it off. Do not bypass the sensor. It is there for safety reasons. DO NOT LET IT RUN THAT WAY. Deal with no hot water for the night and get a new one tomorrow. The sensor shuts down the gas if there are flammable vapors. You bypass it could cause an accidental fire.

There are no Vapors there, it just got corroded from the water leak, all rusted out

 

[dmmsr]

Understood but it protects against if there is. You are bypassing a potential danger if there will be.
Your smoke alarm starts to chirp and it's annoying, do you take out the battery until you get a new one? No you leave it in there and go out and get a new battery or smoke alarm and replace it.