DIY how to replace Flammable Vapor Sensor on a Rheem water heater

Easy step by step water heater fix.
Rheem water heater giving 7 flashes
Reset Rheem water heater valve
Rheem water heater Gas valve fix
A.O. Smith water heater
Honnywell gas valve 24 volt

[@ReesieWorldPeace]

3 years later and your video is still helping people. Thank you for this, Kind Sir.

[@joeandericah8768]

Curious if replacing yours fixed your problem? This just happened to me and I don’t smell any gas… so curious if it just needs replacing its 10 years old

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Thanks for the visit

[@CHEandJOESEALEY]

Thank you!! Your video helped me realize that the “super sensitive“ sensor was being set off by the can of paint primer and paint cans in the utility closet. You just saved me a lot of money! ❤

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Great to hear!

[@ShahdAbdel-Wahab]

Thank you! This was really helpful

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

thanks for the visit

[@610granville]

Great Video sir, Thanks

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

thanks for the visit

[@syedzaidi3871]

Very helpful. Thanks

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Glad it was helpful!

[@husenradjabov8245]

Thank you for video uploading

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

So nice of you

[@crystaltaxandrealtor5432]

Thank you for video

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

You are welcome

[@davidvawter5442]

Just wanted to say thanks, I didn't need the sensor, but I used the reset sequence you demonstrated, and my water heater is back in action.

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

thanks for the visit. I do have a video on just the reset part.

[@henry2537]

Muchas gracias

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

de nada

[@ScottPray]

You Saved the day. So I did the exact cycle your video shows without replacing the sensor. In my case I had just fired up the generator outside due to the cold snap in case we lost power and had the sliding door outside and the detector did its job 😂 the joys of homeownership! 😊 thanks.

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Excellent!

[@cjb7512]

Thank you! You just saved me so much money. This didn't even take 10 mins to replace!

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Excellent! thanks for the visit

[@eno1286]

Thank you so much for the video! Some lacquer spray vapors shut mine off, and I was so worried I had an expensive problem to fix. But your instructions worked perfectly!

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Thanks for the visit, Happy new year

[@Tecatejoe]

thank you - been waiting on a plumber for days -I diagnosed the problem - ordered part fixed it myself - saved $$$$$$$$$$

[@luchaidez-mora68]

Thank you for this video. My husband was about to buy a new water heater and I told him to wait. I ordered the part I replace it myself and I heard the sweet humming sound too. Thanks again. My husband now thinks I’m a genius. Which I am, for finding this video. 😊

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

that's a sweet sound. thanks for the visit

[@wayneorlowski673]

Simple and beautiful video. Made my day so thank you very much

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

thanks for the visit

[@BRENDA-f4s]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! Hot water returns! Your description and visuals were a perfect guide for being able to replace this part on my water heater. This saved me both time waiting on a plumber, as well as $$$. :)

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

You're welcome!

[@vanessahinojosa87]

Oh my Gosh u are amazing. I sooooooo wish I would have found u sooner.
My water heater stopped working and my ex-husband use to ALWAYS have to replace something and I never knew what.
Your video helped me do it me self. Unfortunately I fought and stumbled trying to even figure out what I needed to change/do (been without hot water for about a week now).
But THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. U R AMAZING!!!

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

THANK YOU glad I could help
Thanks for visiting my channel

[@patn9013]

Thank a lot, You saved me a lot because the plumber I called told me that I had to replace the entire water heater. I ended having to replace the sensor ($30). I found out that it was dure to the fact that we did some painting in the house and the sensor hated that.

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

good for you. thanks for the visit

[@jasonmartin5627]

Good, that plumber is pathetic.

[@mikebaws9490]

Thank you for the video, believe it or not been dealing with this problem for years every summer my heater would stop working had no clue how to fix hence no videos for Honeywell system. Thanks brother! One love!

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Glad it worked

[@jfk1949]

Thank you - was able to fix my water heater quickly and easily. Saved me lots of money and did not need to call the repair company!

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

excellent

[@michaelflorindi3053]

Thank You!!

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

thanks for the visit

[@israelgranados2821]

Thanks for the video noe keep uploading

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

thanks thanks for the visit

[@gregjohnson1079]

Thank you very very very much… You saved me a service call! I appreciate you

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Great to hear!

[@CarlosRodriguez-hb3vq]

Thank you! I’ll cheer for the Dodgers next time they play…unless they’re playing the Giants

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Thanks for the visit.. Go Dodgers

[@free.soul.]

Thank you so much. We had water on the sensor. We reset as you explained and it's working fine.

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Excellent!

[@shevonwilliams6026]

Thanks very much you are a blessing. You saved me lots of money. I ordered the part from Home Depot for $50 plus tax in Canada did what you showed and just like magic it came on am very proud of myself thanks again god bless you for sharing

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Excellent!

[@supersize661]

So I had 8 blinks followed by one chart said same thing. I couldn’t even put it to reset. Bought it used from offer up for 100 bucks with date of 2021 so barely a year old. Said it was from a renovation he was doing. Plunked it all up. And flashes came on. Because of this video I pin pointed that sensor was about to order but then decided to pull it out. Turns out one of the wires was chopped off I then stripped wires and heat wrapped it. Plugged back on and bam I was able to reset and it turned right on. New homeowner here and was so happy I got a almost new thousand dollar water heater for only 100 bucks. DIY is so rewarding

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

good for you. thanks for the visit

[@PandianPeriasamy78]

This was awesome. I was frustrated with this issue and this video has saved so much time

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

thanks for the visit

[@blowout396]

Thanks brother! I did the 20 U ohm resistor hack a couple years ago to bypass the vapor sensor, but got a cold shower tonight. I forgot how to reset the heater and your tutorial did the trick. Thanks again!

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Glad I could help

[@arleenzabala2813]

Thank you so much for this life saving video. I ordered the part this morning on Amazon, arrived around 5pm. My boyfriend installed it following this video and I did the reset, this video saved us some money 😊

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Good.. Thanks for the visit

[@geefim2144]

Good video. Super simple. Amazon delivered same day. Took 2-3 mins tops . Extremely easy .

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Nice work!

[@robertdraper4085]

using a screw driver to reset the temp switch really helped. thx.

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Thanks for the visit

[@janisedwards7583]

Worked great

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Well done!

[@janeanddadinc.]

You rock thanks

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

thanks for the visit

[@elkzadorjp]

Sir thank you very much for showing exactly how to rest it. I watched several videos and yours is the only one that actually showed clearly step by step and it worked for me. Thank you again.

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Thank you

[@ryber3]

Exactly what I needed, short, sweet, to the point. Thanks for the tutorial!

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

thanks for the visit

[@pablomunsey]

Ah, that did the trick. Rheem sent me the sensor (under warranty), but instructions for the wrong thermostat, so I didn't have the appropriate reset steps. Thanks for the help!

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Nice work!

[@collinice2556]

Thank you very much!! I had to call Rheem when mine was down this morning. They walked me through the reset process and have mailed me a spare sensor "just in case" this happens again. Very nice!

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Excellent!

[@EverlyEssence]

Hi. I have a Richmond water heater with a Honeywell valve. Did you also replace the FV sensor harness? If not, has it been running smoothly with just replacing the sensor?

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

I did not. its been running since I uploaded the vid.

[@ericmorris7127]

Thank you for posting this video. Wish I would have watched this before this past weekend....had to wait on phone for over two hours with A.O. Smith to find out it was the vapor sensor that was bad. A.O. Smith manufacturer this Rheem in the video and many other brands includingding the Whirlpool one we have.) They would not tell me how to reset the heater to heat up again until I bought a new sensor. It was over a hundred dollars including rushed two-day shipping ($103.78 to be exact). I could have bught through Amazon and could have saved a whole lot of money. Feeling a little burned, but not by the water.

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Thanks for the visit

[@meenam300zx]

AO Smith is terrible. They charged me $145 of which, $45 was for an expedited shipping from Rancho Cucummunga CA to Bay area. This part is the one inch long and weights 4 ounces. Why do they charge $45 for shipping ?
Very disappointed that it's not covered by warranty either.

[@joyketchum3217]

Thank you, thank you for your tutorial on how to reset our water heater. Worked like a charm. So appreciative

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Glad it helped

[@tobie9958]

Thanks for everything! We end up calling the company and they charge us 150 and still couldn’t fix it. My dad and I did your tutorial step by step with out even replacing a new sensor and it turn back on!! 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Great job!

[@DayTripper1025]

Just ordered the part from Amazon wish me luck I'm about to perform this little operation

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

very simple just two wires, I know you can do it

[@stephenyounge7482]

You’re a lifesaver! Worked like a charm for me. My water heater has a blower on top, and the power goes through there but unplugging that worked for the reset step.

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

cool

[@jdmo8633]

Thank s to the lord for people like you!!!

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

thanks for the visit

[@jeffclark5024]

Thanks for taking the time to make this. My instructions for resetting after the sensor were not correct for the application and this worked. Old sensor was 8k ohm, new sensor was 20k ohm. Water heater is back to normal again. 👍

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Glad it helped

[@christinezhao3056]

Thank you for your video, it's very helpful!

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Glad to hear that!

[@pholt1147]

I didn't know about the 7 times to reset, thanks

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

thanks for the visit

[@Candycanewish]

Great video, I got my part from Rheem, for free. This video helped me install it.

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Nice 👍

[@donaldhum8189]

Thanks man! Did it myself thanks to you

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Nice work!

[@meancuisine8]

Bing. Bang. BOOOOOOOOM!!!
Thank You for sharing, Brother!

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

thanks for the visit

[@wira1313]

Thanks for your video, it is very helpful. I save 60 dollars that the technician would charge me.

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Glad it helped

[@davidworker4053]

My wire connectors to the sensor were crimp connectors. When taking off the connectors off your old sensor, be sure to grab in a spot that you’re not squeezing down the connector tighter onto the prongs, otherwise it’s very difficult to remove!

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

thanks

[@Giorgiot70]

Thank you so much, you save me!

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Glad to hear that!

[@brentblankenship5029]

I tried this severe times on my new Rheem gas heater and it still won’t light…..it’s throwing a 8 flash pause the. 4 flash! I’ve tried to reset it just like you described numerous times with no luck! Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

I would call Rheem Tech support. with your model number and serial number

[@brentblankenship5029]

@@mrnoe67tiktok I called tech support this morning and they said I have a bad “Gas Valve Controller” so basically, they are sending mea new control box FREE of charge since it’s still under warranty! Thanks for the advice and getting back with me! Much appreciated……

[@stephanierea1016]

I have watched your two water heater videos. Do you have a video on how to flush the water heater? If not can you make a video and also show how to do general maintenance on the water heater. Thank you.

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Thanks for that. I think I will

[@connectthedotswithanu6378]

Very well explained 👏👏👏

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Glad it was helpful!

[@christineberger5268]

Thanks for the help! It worked!

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Great to hear!

[@lastjedii]

Do you have to shut the main gas supply line off for this?

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

No

[@lastjedii]

Thanks for the quick reply. The instructions they sent made it way more complicated. Your video was perfect and straight to the point!

[@rubenmurguia2795]

Thank you it was very helpful 👍🏻

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Glad it helped.

[@rickattard2339]

Question mine went aswell and now I know why we were urathaning our baseboards at the cottage..how do we prevent this from happening again in future when we replace sensor ? We have alot more staining in cottage..I'm hoping just unplug hot water and shut off gas controller and hopefully it wont kill the sensor again ..thank you

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

yes

[@levisl9640]

Thanks for the excellent video. It worked! 👍🏻

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

You're welcome!

[@joevaldez2939]

I am sick and tired of this thing going out. Can this be by passed or make one out of resistors to eliminate it?

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

I have seen videos on that

[@lucastorres608]

That’s a nice video, I did exactly like that, my machine started but in 10 seconds went off again, and I repeat this over and over…. Do u you have any idea ?

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Is there any vapors ?

[@billyb6116]

Thank you!!! Easy reset. Easy fix!

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Great to hear!

[@christianmyhre7154]

Win

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

thanks for the visit

[@bryce530]

I had two (2) new sensors (so I have a spare). One measured 14.4k ohm and the other 24.6k ohm. The old (activated) sensor was 1430k ohm (i.e. 1.43m ohm). In other words, the old had approx. 100 times more resistance than the new ones. Rheem's part number is: SP20172 (for the one shown in the video)

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

thanks for the visit

[@stephendove2850]

Thank you!

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

You bet!

[@stephendove2850]

@@mrnoe67tiktok as a temporary fix before my new sensor arrived, I took apart the old one and wiped the black gunk clean, revealing two small strips. I then used a number 2 pencil to color in the space between the two strips, believe it or not it worked until my new one arrived.

[@seanfrazier867]

Thanks for the info it worked great

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Great to hear!

[@bdevries69]

Rock star. Thanks.

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

thanks for the visit

[@timbrown8454]

There is an extensive rebooting process after this installation that must be done to trigger the installed filter.

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

yes

[@umaat007]

Thank you so much :)

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

thanks for the visit

[@HogShark]

Thank you

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Welcome!

[@whatthecrock-pot7744]

hello. I might have to replace mine. did you cut the breaker before working?

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

just unplugged it

[@grouch45]

Better yet, since Rheem won't give warranty on the sensor and it is a sensor that has constant problems when fumes don't exist, maybe it should be simply bypassed by just connecting the 2 wires, which of course is a no no and might cause legal problems in the event of a fire. Ours keeps going into this sensor lock when there is no fumes of any type in the room which has ample fresh air. All that's in the room is washer and dryer, freezer and some storage....no paint, no chemicals, no nothing of the sort of things that would cause this to turn the water heater off. Better isn't always better lol

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

You cant't just by pass this with a wire its looking for resistance anywhere from 5,000 ohms - 70,000 ohms of resistance. So you can by pass it with a 20,000 ohm resistor, but I don't recommend it.
ohm resistor

[@akimbospree2595]

How do you know if the sensor is actually bad, or if it really is detecting hazardous fumes when it gives you the 7 flashes?

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

most likely your sensor is ok just reset it

[@bigestudios3890]

Local plumber wants $250+ to do what you just did, not including parts, lol. Ordered the part myself. Sensor is bad because we've had to reset many times.

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

I had the same problem, I reset my valve many times. replaced the sensor all good now.

[@ogm4]

Can it be done by unplugging the water heater prior to replacing the sensor? Or should it be plugged in while I’m replacing the sensor?

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

yes actually i should have unplugged it first.

[@ogm4]

noe arriaga thank you!

[@debbiewebb7852]

Do you need to have it off when you put in a new sensor ,just got our new one from Amazon ?

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

I unplugged mine

[@Jalexu91]

I think once u unplug it there should be no gas flowing . Did u need to turn off the gas as well?

[@sparklewang7054]

Do I just purchase any flammable senser and it will fit?

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

I just looked up rheem water heater flammable vapor sensor on Amazon

[@sherresturm819]

thank you. too bad the instructions that come with it don't tell you this is a common thing that happens with the Rheem from the vapor sensor and tell you how to fix it. Sorry i got rid of my 22 yr old GE that wasn't causing any problem. And even tho they are willing to take care of it while under warranty, you have to wait for the part to come then for the plumbing company to set up an appt. Not a quick fix by any means while you're out of hot water.

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Sometimes you can reset the old sensor while your waiting for the replacement.

[@thor6997]

First off, never buy a Rheem

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

thanks for the visit

[@daisydavidow8722]

The quality of the video is poor and hard to see. From opening the package you jumped to the sensor. How did you get there? How and where did you open the heater to get to the wires? Thank you

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

thanks for the visit

[@davidsutter6091]

Thank you. Worked great.

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Great to hear!

[@F3LIX1005]

Thank you!!!

[@mrnoe67tiktok]

Welcome!