Burner Assembly is Stuck

[Dj2]

Yesterday I came across a 38 gal gas Rheem WH model PROG38-38U RH60 and the Burner Assembly won't come out.
First time that I can't get a burner out, and I've worked on so many Rheem/GE WHs before.
Any clues?

 

[WorthFlorida]

Here is the exploded view from the owner manual. There are what looks like at least eight screws and nuts to be removed. You didn't mention you can wiggle it out or it's still attached to something? I hope this helps.

https://cdn.globalimageserver.com/FetchDocument.aspx?ID=E64A8A98-7023-4EC8-8E50-F2CCFCBD52D4

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Dj2]

Thanks WF, that's the diagram I needed, but I didn't have time to look for it last night.
Yesterday I was hoping to be able to get the whole thing out as is, but the opening is too small.
Removing the 4 hex nuts will separate the inner door from the burner, and I'll be able to pull them out one by one.

Then get it going (I think the thermocouple and the sparker are gone), try it, clean the inside burner chamber and put it together.
I hope to get parts from Rheem, since this WH has been in service about a year, even though this model has been discontinued.

In the meantime, I got the folks a loaner water heater yesterday.

 

[Phog]

Loaner? Man that's good service. Cheers

 

[WorthFlorida]

Being without hot water is as bad when the car battery suddenly dies.

 

[Dj2]

Phog,
Well, good customers get good service, actually excellent service.
Nobody wants to be without hot water, not even for a short time.
I have a few WHs in storage, and it takes me an hour to exchange a WH, once I empty it.