Residential Gas Water Heater Problem Repair And Reviews

Question: Gas water heater burner plate broke off during thermocouple replacement?

(Posted by: wen s on 2010-07-14 11:34:13)

I was replacing a faulty thermocouple when applying force to remove the thermocouple from the housing the side plate (do not know the proper name, see pictures) snapped off. The burner is 6 years old and very rusty. From the looks of it, that part was welded on to the burner by four points. My question is, can I cold weld that part back on and continue to operate the gas water heater at high temperatures? I never had to cold weld something that will have to be used in high temperature and I have no means to weld it on properly. Perhaps soldering? Please advice, thank you :- D pictures of the burner http:/ / img37.imageshack.us/ i/ photo2dk.jpg/ http:/ / img4.imageshack.us/ i/ photo3km.jpg/

Posted by: Anthony on 2010-07-14, 15:22:21

It looks to me that the parts were brazed together by the looks of the picture (img4.imageshack.us/ i/ photo3km.jpg ) with the yellow area on the upper part of the burner but it's hard to tell. If it was brazed you could re-braze it or have it re-brazed at a weld shop or replace it. I would go with the replacement option if you don't have the tools or access to a welding shop near you. (The weld shop would probably cost as much as buying a new part and putting it in).Your cold weld sounds like you want to use some type of epoxy or glue and that won't hold at the temperatures the burner sees. Good luck!

Posted by: pipe strangler on 2010-07-14, 15:53:29

A replacement is by far the safest way to go and gluing or soldering will definately not be suitable.You may well find as its very rusty any attempt at welding will only make it worse.