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Whirlpool Water Heaters

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John of Fallbrook, CA October 18, 2008

John of Fallbrook CA (10/18/08)
Purchased a Whirlpool Propane hot water heater Model #BFG1F5040T3PV in December of 07 from Lowes. Ten months later the THERMOSTAT goes out. After contacting Lowe's about warranty they sent their plumber out who originally installed it. He informs us that they are dealing with this problem 2-3 times a week. So we called INDIA (a non clearly speaking English country) on hold for 30 minutes the first time and 2+ hours the second time. They said they will ship the part out of Tennessee on Monday and we should have it Tuesday. This is Friday and we will be without hot water 5 days.

Since this is clearly a defective product we are going to have to replace it at our cost. No hot water for showers, dishes, clothes and daily hygiene and hand washing. My wife just came home from the hospital and this is DEFINITELY not healthy for her recuperation.

Angelo of Houstont, TX October 17, 2008

I purchased a Flame Lock Whirlpool Water Heater in May of 2003. I can only agree with all the other negative comments you have posted regarding this unit. It has been nothing but trouble. My pilot is out again and I have to pay another 15 for shipping on the thermocupler plus a plumber to install it. The person on the phone representing Whirlpool could barely speak English.

This entire series of water heaters should be recalled. They are not reliable. I have never, ever experienced anything like this in a gas waterheater. This is fraud.

Robert of Woburn, MA October 16, 2008

Robert of Woburn MA (10/16/08)
Bought new gas hot water heater model BFG1F5040T3NOV in May. After 5 months, pilot light keeps going out and resulting in no hot water. After 45 min on phone waiting for customer support, the rep sent me a new gas valve which I will need to have installed myself. Already spent 200.00 on plumber to come out once to diagnose the problem.

Now will need to pay again to have this faulty unit installed. 3 days now without hot water, cant even do dishes. Also out 200.00 for first plumber visit, and will be out at least another 200.00 to install the defective part.

Stephen of Cheyenne, WY October 16, 2008

Stephen of Cheyenne WY (10/16/08)
The American Water Heater Compnay Makes almost all of the water heaters that are being complained about with the flame lock system. I also have a flame lock water heater it is a premear water heater. i have purchased about 15 thermal couples and installed the repair kit that was supose to fix the problem. DIDN'T. I am now in the middle of replaceing yet another thermalcouple. They say that the air flow is bad. I think the designers of this so called safety system had bad air. The only thing that is safe about it is that me and my family will never get burned with HOT WATER. Should have been named FlAME LOCK OUT because there is never a flame.

I will try the replacement Regulator next. Tis a scam i say. and they should be braught up on Fraud charges. We Pay to have them install a water heater, pay again and again to have it repaired. Finnaly we have had enough and pay for a new water heater all together. TRIPPLE CHARGED. SIGNED COLD IN WY. AND THE HEADS OF CORPORATION DONT CARE ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK WILE CONSUMERS GET SCRUDE,

Aaron of Parker, CO October 15, 2008

Aaron of Parker CO (10/15/08)
I purchased a 40 Gal. Whirlpool Water Heater with a 6 Year Warranty from Lowes on April 14, 2008. Model # BFG1F4034T3NOV. The very next day after installation the pressure release valve broke and flooded part of my basement. I went and bought one from Lowes, since they would not replace it unless I brought the entire water heater back. The unit then worked fine for about 5 months until September 2008 when the pilot light went out. It could be relit but would go out in less than a minute. I followed the trouble shooting guide and measured the voltage on the Thermocouple and had 12mV. The Thermocouple was fine so the next step in the troubleshooting guide said the Thermostat was bad.

This happened on Saturday and could not get a hold of anyone on the Whirlpool 877 number until Monday. On Monday I spoke to someone in India after waiting on hold about 1/2 an hour and she overnighted me a Thermostat and gave me an authorization number to have Sears come out and change it. The repairman came out on Tuesday and replaced it, and I got the feeling he changes out atleast 1 thermostat a day. (4 days without hot water) Within a week I noticed a slight smell of gas coming from the red ignitor button and the Off, On, Pilot knob on the new Thermostat! I called Whirlpool again and got another auth, # and had someone come check it out. He did smell it but said the installation was good and the leak from the thermostat was so little he didn't think it would cause any issue. I don't think the thermostat should leak gas at all! I have little kids in the house, I don't want to have to worry about explosions.

I believe Whirlpool has a serious thermostat issue! Lowe's will not take back this water heater, they say to call Whirlpool, and Whirlpool keeps wasting my time and mental sanity by sending me the same defective parts. I am frustrated and ready to cut my losses and tear out this water heater and buy a better quality brand. I believed I was buying a quality brand, and I wish I would have researched this site before I bought it.

Maureen of Butler, NJ October 14, 2008

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