Hayward Heater - Gas Valve - Why Do These Fail?

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M

MWC

Well-known member
Jul 18, 2024
105
Western KY
Pool Size
23
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
I have recently replaced the gas valve on my Hayward Heater. The solenoid just failed.

I cannot find any major literature on why these fail. This may be a dense question and I am asking more out of my own curiosity. This was a 4 year old valve. Any idea generally why these fail?
 
Contact the manufacturer and ask them and then post their reply.

Phone: 800- 822-7673

Honeywell Process Measurement and Control (Instrumentation/ENRAF)

Customer Service: 1-800-343-0228
Global Technical Support: 1-800-423-9883
Phone: 215-641-3610

[email protected]

Americas Contact Information

process.honeywell.com process.honeywell.com

Address: 400 Main St, Ashland, MA 01721
Phone: (508) 881-2000

 
MWC said:
I have recently replaced the gas valve on my Hayward Heater. The solenoid just failed.

I cannot find any major literature on why these fail. This may be a dense question and I am asking more out of my own curiosity. This was a 4 year old valve. Any idea generally why these fail?
Click to expand...
That's really unusual. In my experience they almost never fail. I would also think you can just replace the solenoid... if it's actually failing. How have you determined that it failed? Have you checked voltage to it when it is supposed to open?
 
setsailsoon said:
That's really unusual. In my experience they almost never fail. I would also think you can just replace the solenoid... if it's actually failing. How have you determined that it failed? Have you checked voltage to it when it is supposed to open?
Click to expand...
Gas valves should not be repaired.

@swamprat69 can wade in.
 
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Just because it stopped actuating doesn't mean it actually failed. Much more likely you have something else that is preventing voltage to the solenoid.
 
You might have excessive gas pressure.

Maybe water in the gas lines causing corrosion.

Maybe stray voltage causing corrosion.

Maybe chemical exposure.

Sediment can be an issue if there is no sediment trap.

Maybe the valve did not actually fail and the diagnosis was incorrect.

Maybe some part of the valve failed because the part was defective.

Maybe the coil voltage is incorrect.
 
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JamesW said:
You might have excessive gas pressure.

Maybe water in the gas lines causing corrosion.

Maybe stray voltage causing corrosion.

Maybe chemical exposure.

Sediment can be an issue if there is no sediment trap.

Maybe the valve did not actually fail and the diagnosis was incorrect.

Maybe some part of the valve failed because the part was defective.

Maybe the coil voltage is incorrect.
Click to expand...
Couldn't agree more. Proper trouble-shooting can save a LOT of money from replacing perfectly good components. Last time I checked gas valves are extremely pricey.
 
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I followed the troubleshoot to a T. We went through everything on the flow chart from Hayward. Voltage was correct.

It just wouldn’t open.
 
Have been talking with some people here locally who work with gas appliances - more than one person commented “they’ve been messing with the gas lines so much” - and they theorized moisture in the lines. For what little that’s worth. We also had massive flooding in our area when this went out. (Heavy rains, but no flooding in my residential area.)

I tapped it after a rainstorm and got it working once; but it just completely failed the next day.
 
If the gas valve solenoid is sticking closed when voltage is applied, you will draw more amperage than the listed amps on the gas valve label and might blow a low voltage fuse. If the solenoid coil is open, you will show 0 amps when the gas valve is powered.
 

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