Mistaken Identity: Help with Kenmore Water Heater

50 gallon sears kenmore water heater less than three years old replaced one pilot assembly myself,their tech replaced one,now it wont light again pilot is on just wont ignite they wont replaced unless there is 6 calls on same problem in one year at 100 dollars a service call i could buy almost two new water heaters you can bet it wont be a kenmore.

I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. MY KENMORE WATER HEATER WILL NOT STAY LIT. WE CONTACTED SEARS SERVICE/PARTS AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THEY DO NOT CARRY THE PARTS; HOWEVER, THEIR SERVICE TECHS DO AND THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO SEND A SERVICE REP TO MY HOUSE BY THE END OF THE WEEK (THREE DAYS). THE COST COULD ONLY BE ESTIMATED; HOWEVER, THE TYPICAL FEE FOR THIS SERVICE WOULD BE APPROX $250 INCLUDING BURNER UNIT. IF SEARS WAS TO ORDER THE PART FOR US, IT WOULD BE SIX DAYS FOR DELIVERY AND THE COST IS $47 PLUS TAX AND $20 SHIPPING. WHY IS IT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO PURCHASE BUT THEIR TECHS DO? NO MORE SEARS FOR US.

I had the same problem - pilot would go off after each cycle - I don't think it was even getting through a full cycle either. Solution - I took the cover the one with the little window so you can check the pilot while lighting it. remove the 2 screws 3/8" socket will get them off. Then I carefully pulled back the metal cover enough to get a vacume attachement inside. I used a lonk thin attachment I bought that is about 1/2" in diameter that attached to the shop vac. I then cleaned the entire inside guts where the burner is as well as underneath the water heater. Use a flashlight to make sure it is all clean. I then put the cover back on and screwed it back down. leaving the round rubber gasket (orange red color) a little loose to add air flow to the burner. I think they try to make it safe by giving you the dumb little window to look at which only decreased the functionality of the unit. Light the pilot and it has been running great ever since.

I think that most of the issues that everyone has with the water heater is a design flaw that restricts air flow to the burner assembly. with a few slight modifications it seems to work well - and at least I did not have to buy any parts or have a repair guy some out. total time spent - perhaps an hour

My pilot also went out and would not re-light, took out burner assembly cleaned burner and every hole that could be cleaned. There was also some carbon build up on the the thermocouple wich i cleaned off with some fine emery cloth (sand paper). Before putting everything back together it got vaccumed. I saved alot of time (waiting for service man) and money (no parts to buy) with the above steps, hope this helps.

I started to vaccum under the pilot light at least every 6 months, and it seems to work. I purchased a special attachment, very thin one with a brush. It works. Otherwise, the light goes out. I think it's a glitch in the design of the heater Sears won't recognize and Kenmore won't fix. Manufacturers just don't care about the consumer anymore, since they started sending everything out of the country to be manufactured. What a shame there is nothing left in America to choose to purchase...cause if there was, I'd be the first to purchase it...

Hello everyone. I'm fighting with Sears with the pilot problem on the Kenmore Power Miser 12 Gas Water Heater Model 153.331542. I'm gathering information to start a formal complaint against them because how they have handled this problem and asked consumers to replace their heaters. Long story short, anyone's comments about how Sears has dealt with this issue or if you are still having this issue please post a comment or contact me directly at sylferrari@yahoo.com

Thanks you.