Thomas Lichioveri
New Member
Hi;
I'm not sure if this question has been asked already although I've searched the forum and did not find. Please forgive me if this has already been answered/addressed. Here is my problem/issue:
I have an old (1991) State Censible gas-fired water heater, model # PRV 40 NORT6 F, serial # 892433298. Recently, I've found myself having to relight the pilot in order for the unit to operate properly. However, it keeps going out. If I try to restart right away, the pilot does not stay lit when the button is released. If I wait a couple of hours, I can light it with success, turn the knob to 'on', and light the burner. At some point, I haven't actually timed it, the gas shuts off again. I've already replaced what I suspect may have been a bad thermocouple though my suspicions are leaning toward a faulty gas control valve/thermostat. The label reads "37C73U-622" which appears to have been manufactured by a company called White Rodgers based on images I've compared online. This is an obsolete item and there are no recommendations for a replacement. I've searched high and low for this control valve with no success. I phoned the manufacturer and they informed me of what I already knew - this part is no longer available. I asked if this '622' version could be replaced with another, ie; 605, 178, etc... all of which are prefixed with 37C73U to which they replied, "No". I read a document online that stated something about units manufactured prior to 2005 were made so that one could simply go to a local plumbing supply store, purchase a new gas valve, and you're back in business. I'm not sure if this is possible or if the ability to purchase any model 37C73U-XXX as a replacement can/should be done. I realize this heater is old (really old) but I prefer to fix it rather than replace it. In my experience newer appliances aren't made as robust/long-lasting for example, I replaced an old washing machine that lasted more than 20 years, fixing it until I could fix it no more, with a newer one and in just a short 6 years, I was under it, replacing the motor. Two more years passed and again, I was tearing it down to replace the shaft. If anyone on here has any experience with this, in short, I am simply trying to find out if I can replace the existing gas control valve with another that is not exactly the same?
Thank you - sorry for the long, winded post.
Thomas
I'm not sure if this question has been asked already although I've searched the forum and did not find. Please forgive me if this has already been answered/addressed. Here is my problem/issue:
I have an old (1991) State Censible gas-fired water heater, model # PRV 40 NORT6 F, serial # 892433298. Recently, I've found myself having to relight the pilot in order for the unit to operate properly. However, it keeps going out. If I try to restart right away, the pilot does not stay lit when the button is released. If I wait a couple of hours, I can light it with success, turn the knob to 'on', and light the burner. At some point, I haven't actually timed it, the gas shuts off again. I've already replaced what I suspect may have been a bad thermocouple though my suspicions are leaning toward a faulty gas control valve/thermostat. The label reads "37C73U-622" which appears to have been manufactured by a company called White Rodgers based on images I've compared online. This is an obsolete item and there are no recommendations for a replacement. I've searched high and low for this control valve with no success. I phoned the manufacturer and they informed me of what I already knew - this part is no longer available. I asked if this '622' version could be replaced with another, ie; 605, 178, etc... all of which are prefixed with 37C73U to which they replied, "No". I read a document online that stated something about units manufactured prior to 2005 were made so that one could simply go to a local plumbing supply store, purchase a new gas valve, and you're back in business. I'm not sure if this is possible or if the ability to purchase any model 37C73U-XXX as a replacement can/should be done. I realize this heater is old (really old) but I prefer to fix it rather than replace it. In my experience newer appliances aren't made as robust/long-lasting for example, I replaced an old washing machine that lasted more than 20 years, fixing it until I could fix it no more, with a newer one and in just a short 6 years, I was under it, replacing the motor. Two more years passed and again, I was tearing it down to replace the shaft. If anyone on here has any experience with this, in short, I am simply trying to find out if I can replace the existing gas control valve with another that is not exactly the same?
Thank you - sorry for the long, winded post.
Thomas