My3cents.com - Whirlpool Complaint - Stay Away from the FLAME LOCK Water Heater-same problem as others mentioned, Flamelock Water heater

Whirlpool Complaint

Stay Away from the FLAME LOCK Water Heater-same problem as others mentioned - Flamelock Water heater

11
Helpful Votes

Posted By: 90713PC on 7/2/2006

Location: Lakewood, CA, CA

I agree with PJ46350 (see below). No hot water for 2 days. Water heater is 2 years old. Holiday weekend-of course. Gas Company unable to ignite flame, because of the sealed firebox..the plumber could not find left threaded part anywhere...I told him check Lowes, as that is where the "Flame Lock" water tank was originally purchased.

Plumber quickly found it on asile #13. Here is the part number you'll need Part #6910495, SKU #198750, 1 year warranty (you're gonna need it). I don't like a company that monopolizes like that. What if Lowes goes out of business..what do we do then?

Anyway..as instructed by the Whirlpool manual I called them...beware they are not open on weekends or holidays. If they are..their number is not posted anywhere that I can find it. The plumber is installing the part, at this writing. It's taking him an hour to dis-assemble the area just to replace the $15.00 part. I'll be writing him a big check for the repair, and sending the $202.00 receipt to Whirlpool, in hope for a refund (the price paid for the water heater was $565.77(price includes installation)...as I hope the water heater is still under warranty...the language on the warranty has so many loop holes...I really don't know if it is covered. If they do not refund the repair..I will never buy Whirlpool again. I'm concerned because Whirlpool has a 1.5 star out of a possible 5. That's nothing to be proud of. Had I had read all the other reviews, I would have had NEVER purchased this tank. I can't believe there hasn't been a class action law suit, or a recall on this item.

In addition, I just sent an email to Lowes, American Water Heater and Whirlpool. I'll be sure to follow up with this post and let you know what kind of response I receive.

Thank you for your time.

Whirlpool Complaint
Stay Away from the Flame Lock
Posted By: pj46350 on 8/16/2005

I have replaced 20 to 30 thermocouples on various furnaces and water heaters.

1 | 2 Next Page >

Next Whirlpool Review >>>

Related Sponsor Links:

Did you find this review helpful? Very Helpful Not what I was looking for

Whirlpool Reviews By Product:

Got something to say? Help other consumers by sharing your experiences on My3cents...

Community Tools:

Read comments (10)

Consumers: Add your 3 cents to this review!

Business Owner? Post your company response!

Write a review on this company

More reviews on this company

Related reviews:

More reviews on Whirlpool:

advertise here

User Discussion - Add your 3 cents!

90713PC (07/02/2006)

thank you...I hope all goes well.
I hope NO MORE people buy this unit. It's a costly headache.

(07/02/2006)

the water heaters have changed due to new regulations. All new wtr htrs have the new sealed burner compartement. It is not just your brand. Yes it is a pain in the butt to replace due to the sealed compartement which takes longer to replace the thermocouple. And if you tear the seal, your in big trouble. the older wtr htrs would take me 5 mins to replace. not so with the newer models. The safety codes and standards( AGA: American Gas Association) have changed due to fires and liquid fuel vapors(gasoline, kerosine, etc) that can ignite with the older models. If the seal is torn or comprimized, it will void the warranty. Sad to say, the cons ... more >>

90713PC (07/02/2006)

Thank you rah332 for your comment..I understand what you're saying...but if they're going to make new regulations, that make the product safer, but malfuntions on a regular basis, then they should be required to be prepared to help the consumer in their time of need.
I don't blame the Gas company for not breaking the seal...
I blame the mfg. for not supplying the consumer with the knowledge that we're buying a water heater that is suppose to last for at least 12 years, but beware of the left threaded thermocouple. At least when you buy a sweater or a blouse, they'll throw in an extra button in case one falls off the shirt. Plus, why left ... more >>

(07/02/2006)

due to the new regulation and changes in the wtr htrs, the thermocouple incoporates a special sensor at the tip. that is why a regualar right threaded thermocouple will not work. not everyone carries that right now. Thermocouples are like batteries. they wear out. I would keep one just in case it goes out again. the fine print on the wtr htr-- the warranty for 5-12yrs (depending on the model) is for the tank not the control and thermocouple- which is usually for one yr. The correct thermocouple can be purchased at appliance parts stores, not just lowes. I know, info is a little too late. As far as throwing an extra part, that would be great ... more >>

(07/03/2006)

Very interesting post and a very educational commentary. Like with autos, there seems to be a corporate goal to prevent consumers from completing routine maintenance/service. My favorite was a pocket device a colleague showed me a few months ago. The instructions told him to "Insert batteries prior to use." Great idea! But, there was a sticker on the device over the seam on the battery compartment that said, "Warranty void if this seal is broken."

90713PC (07/03/2006)

Thank you Rah and Doc.
I'll pick up the extra part, only when I receive the refund for the work. If I do not receive a refund for this ordeal. I'll wait until it goes out again...then I'll buy another water heater. My last water heater was 20 years old...I never had one problem with it, until it sadly pass away one day.

(07/03/2006)

The older type you had is long gone. It would be very hard to find one. I had to search quite awhile for one 2 yrs ago. I noticed you live in ca. I work for pge doing service work. I just shake my head every time I see one of those units. We just throw our hands up and refer the cust to the dealer.

(07/03/2006)

rah-I hope you become a regular contributor to this site. Your understanding of such matters would be helpful to people who visit here. All best.

90713PC (07/05/2006)

UPDATE: I spoke with Michelle from American Water Heaters, regarding the 2 year old water heater.
She said the warranty does not transfer to the new home owner (me), and being that I didn't clean the lint screen every three months, the warranty would not have been honored, even if I was the original purchaser. Being that said..I told her to make a note that this consumer will never purchase a Whirlpool item again. She said.."We're not Whirlpool...We're American Water Heater." I said..."I won't buy anything made by your company again..Even if I have to go out of the country to purchase it."
I was under the impression that she didn't care ... more >>

Squeezebox (04/27/2008)

I inherited this mess when I bought the house! One of the reasons I bought this house is that the hot water heater was less than a year old! Three years later, imagine my outrage when I find out that my 2004 heater has already crapped out!!!! Those things are supposed to last at least ten years and often twenty! My sister bought another WP and it failed at less than two years! The manufacturer made her pay shipping for the part and refused to pay for the plumber. If the Whirlpool Corporation licenses their good name to crapmakers like this, you can imagine how bad their other products are. I was looking for this info and found class ac ... more >>

Add your 3 cents!

Whirlpool Tools & Resources:

Company Rating:

(1.5 out of 4 / 408 votes)

View company contact info

Compare ratings of other companies in this industry

Whirlpool Consumer Report Overview

Browse more reviews in category Consumer Stores or subcategory Appliances

Consumer Marketplace

Get Firefox!

Consumer Tools | My Account | Write a Review | Compare Company Ratings | Company Contact Directory | Local Reviews

Businesses: Respond to Consumers | Product Recalls Directory from Google | Consumer News & Recall Info from Yahoo

HOME | FAQ | Advertise | About Us | Site Rules | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Press | Site Map | RSS

Copyright 2000-2010 My3cents, LLC Browse in another language