Thermex water heater does not work - reasons and do-it-yourself repairs

The manufacturer of household appliances Thermex attracts users not only with the quality and durability of its products, but also with affordable prices. Therefore, the number of buyers is increasing every day. Unfortunately, even the most reliable equipment cannot be operated completely without breakdowns - Thermex water heaters also require periodic intervention by human hands. And if a reliable device has stopped working, then read on, since this article contains all possible malfunctions of Termex water heaters and methods for eliminating them.

Disassembly Features

Boilers “Termex”, “Ariston”, “Combustion” may differ in design and design. Therefore, immediately decide what type you are dealing with.

It could be:

• Heating element heater - “central nut 55”.
• Economy class - with an oval flange.
• Medium class - bolts in a circle.
• With flat tank.

heating element heater

This is the cheapest and simplest model - there are no adjustment devices on the body. The heating element is secured with one central nut, which can be conveniently removed with a 55 wheel hub wrench or a gas wrench No. 2.

Sequence of work:

• Unscrew the two screws that secure the bottom cover of the case.
• Disconnect the thermostat wiring and remove it.
• Place a deep container under the tank; residual liquid may spill out.
• Using a wrench, unscrew the nut counterclockwise.

For convenience, the housing can be removed from the wall and installed upside down.

• Now you can remove the heating element. Remove it from the housing - proceed carefully so as not to damage the element.

If the part does not come out due to scale, clean the hole a little using a plastic knife.

Economy class

This is a more modern technology. Most often, devices with an oval flange are produced.

Important! This type of boiler cannot be disassembled by turning it upside down. During dismantling, the heating element will fall inside, which will damage both the element and the walls of the tank.

• To remove the cover, you need to unscrew two bolts. They are located near the inlet and drain hoses.
• You can remove the thermometer by pulling it down, but the movement must be quick and precise.
• A special nut secures the flange strip. Unscrew it and remove the flange.
• Before removing the part, spin it.

Medium class

The most common design found in Ariston and Atlantic. The heating element is located on a flange, which is secured with nuts in a circle. There may be five or six of them.

During operation, the check valve may interfere with your operation; it is better to twist it. A common problem is finding bolts to remove the cover. Sometimes manufacturers hide screws behind stickers. Remove them and unscrew the fasteners.

• Remove the cover.
• Remove the temperature sensor. First disconnect the contacts from the heater.
• Remove the flange bolts using a socket wrench.

In the latest Ariston models, the manufacturer uses nuts on studs rather than screws.

Boiler device

When you have a boiler, you need to know at least its key elements and basic indicators. Having familiarized yourself with them, the principle of operation becomes clear; as a result, the slightest malfunction can be quickly eliminated.

The water heater consists of the following main parts:

• The outer body of the water heater is covered with enamel, which is applied using the powder painting method. This allows you to reliably protect the tank from the outside and make it decorative.
• The bracket allows you to attach the tank to the wall.
• A tube that releases hot water. Also made of stainless steel with special properties. It has high wear resistance and is resistant to corrosion.

Main characteristics of Thermex

Devices of the Thermex line have the following characteristics:

1. Tank volume - 15, 30, 80 or 50 liters. As it increases, the water heating time will increase.
2. The required voltage is 220 V (permissible error is 10%), frequency is 50 Hz.
3. Maximum operating temperature is +95 °C. When it is reached, the emergency shutdown system is activated.
4. The internal part of the body is made of stainless steel and titanium, due to which the boiler has good thermal insulation and protection against rust.
5. The space between the body and the tank is filled with high-quality modern sealant - polyurethane foam. It provides additional thermal insulation and protects the device from leaks.
6. The liquid is heated by tubular electric heaters (TEHs) located inside the tank. The temperature is regulated using a thermostat.

The service life of the device is 10 years or more, subject to compliance with all safety regulations, regular maintenance and elimination of minor breakdowns.

Types of instantaneous water heater control systems

Depending on the model and design of the water heater, the control system for its operation can be designed differently. For example, in the THERMEX STREAM model, temperature control is carried out by controlling the water flow. The flow itself is regulated by special shower or washbasin nozzles included in the delivery set. In this case, the protection components are a pressure switch and a thermal fuse (temperature sensor).

Flow-through heater THERMEX STREAM disassembled

Accordingly, the electrical circuit diagram of this water heater differs significantly from the electrical circuit given above - here the phase current passes sequentially through the pressure switch and the thermal fuse, which returns to the on position after the temperature drops. Before repairing the water heater yourself, you should definitely study the electrical diagram and instructions from the manufacturer.

Example diagram of instantaneous water heaters THERMEX STREAM

As can be seen from a comparison of two circuits from the same manufacturer, the principles of control and protection in these models of water heaters differ significantly. Water heaters have a completely different design, and the circuit will be different. Below, for example, is the electrical circuit of the Atmor water heater.

Scheme of instantaneous water heater ATMOR, power 7 kW

Also, some models may have an electronic interface directly connected to power relays for controlling the supply of heating elements. This means that a breakdown in this electronic board, or a failure of the algorithm, can lead to the stoppage of the water heater. Some instantaneous water heaters may have temperature control, which is achieved by switching heating elements, or using an electronic circuit.

Finding the cause of the breakdown

Before you begin repairs, you need to find out what is causing the problem.

This can be understood in advance without disassembling the device itself.

The main malfunctions of electric water heaters are:

• the device does not turn on;
• short circuit protection (RCD) is triggered;
• the water heater does not heat water or does not comply with heating standards;
• boiler leaked.

If a leak appears, you need to find out where the leak is. If it is the heating element gasket that has leaked, then such a defect can be easily eliminated. You just need to replace it with a new one, especially since they cost pennies.

You can find out how to make the right choice of water heater and not make a mistake here: https://teplo.guru/vodonagrevateli/ariston-termeks-elektrolyuks.html

You can first understand that it is the heating element that has failed by the following indirect signs:

• automatic protection is triggered;
• knocks out the machine on the meter;
• the water does not heat up, or the device does not heat well;
• the hissing of the water heater and the release of water with a cloudy consistency and an unpleasant odor.

With such symptoms, the heating element is most likely to fail. This can also be determined by the appearance of the heating element itself - the shell is damaged.

Sometimes heating elements burn out without visible damage to the shell, then this can be determined using a tester.

If the ohmmeter shows infinity at the terminals, then the nichrome spiral is broken.

If it is zero, then there is a short circuit somewhere. In any case, such an element needs replacement.

In some cases, the heating element fails for the following reasons:

• The heating element has served its term;
• the unit was turned on without water;
• the water heater was turned off for a long time, but the water was not drained;
• sudden changes in voltage in the network.

In any case, the heating element needs to be changed. Of course, the easiest way is to use the services of a specialist, but it is quite possible to change the heating element yourself. It is necessary to warn that repairs must be done in a certain sequence to avoid confusion. This is an important key to successful repairs.

Note

Today, electric storage water heaters are very popular. Thermex reviews are positive. These devices can also be operated according to an easier principle. To do this, it is recommended to install a drain valve. This applies to those models that do not have a drain pipe included. If it is necessary to install a water heater in a system where the pressure is greater than the above, it is necessary to place a reducer at the inlet in front of the equipment, which will have to be purchased additionally. With its help, you can reduce the water pressure to the nominal level.

Selection and purchase of necessary spare parts

You can purchase a full set of components for the repair of Termex electric water heaters from the manufacturer’s catalog, from heating elements and thermostats to RCDs and valves. For each device, the boiler model and its volume in liters are indicated.

The parts presented in the catalog are original spare parts manufactured by the Italian Thermowatt factory. The cost of the elements depends on the material, diameter size, coating (silver plating).

DIY repair tools

To check for voltage in an outlet, use a tester or multimeter, but you can get by with a simple device consisting of a light bulb, wires and a plug. To disconnect the boiler from the water supply, you will need a gas wrench. To unscrew the nuts, you need wrenches and pliers (for connecting wires).

Typical malfunctions of the Thermex heater

The wide range of Thermex models allows you to choose a 100-liter boiler for a large family, a 10-15-liter boiler for use in a small kitchen, etc. The device is a metal heating tank, inside of which a heating element is located. The operation of the heater is controlled by a relay, as well as a thermostat. The magnesium anode helps to “soften” tap water.

It is worth noting that modern water heaters are equipped with a control unit that has a self-diagnosis function. The system detects the faulty unit and displays an error code. Having deciphered the meaning, you can understand where to look for a breakdown and how to fix it yourself.

Error table for Thermex water heaters

The video will help you deal with error E1:

Other problems with an electric water heater include:

• The appliance does not heat the water or takes too long to do so.
• Noise is heard during operation.
• Runs only for a short time.
• Doesn't work, won't turn on.
• The tank leaked.
• Unpleasant odor and color of water.

If you notice one of the signs, then proceed with inspection and repair.

Video description

This short video clearly and concisely explains in a few minutes what can be done with a rotten tank so that the device will work for some time:
The simplest situation is with a factory defect. Since the problem appears at the beginning of the device’s operation, all you need to do is contact the store where you purchased the water heater so that they can replace it with a new one under a valid warranty.

The only case when a leak can be eliminated without calling specialists is damage or incorrect installation of the seals. To replace them, you need to remove the flange, and with it the rubber itself will fall out. For additional protection against moisture, sealant can be applied on all sides.

What you need for work

Before you begin solving the problem, you need to acquire a tool. If you do not want to start repairing water heaters, then it is better to purchase inexpensive tools. Chinese manufacturers are ideal for small household solutions.

List of necessary tools for repairing Termex boilers:

• Pliers. The most common ones, without ergonomic handles, made of environmentally friendly material.
• Flat and figured screwdriver of medium length. It will come in handy more than once in the future for housework.
• Multimeter. Probably the most expensive device on the entire list. Allows you to measure electrical network voltage, current, resistance and test wires for integrity.
• Spanners. In order not to waste time, it is better to purchase a small set, which will also be useful in the future.

The above tools are quite enough to troubleshoot water heaters. But besides this, some consumables are also required:

• Insulating tape. Adhesive tape with high electrical insulating properties. Necessary when restoring the integrity of wires. The insulating tape can be replaced with a more convenient heat shrink tube.

Heat shrink tubing in different colors

• Plumbing sealant. Liquid sealant, used when replacing gaskets; when hardened, it forms a layer that prevents liquid leakage. If desired, you can replace it with a more expensive automotive sealant.

Example of a simple plumbing sealant

Preliminary preparation

Preparations before repair are as follows:

1. Disconnecting the water heater from the network. Unplug the plug from the socket.
2. Close the check valve and water supply valves.
3. The cold water hose is disconnected and the liquid is drained. There will be a small amount of it, only residues in the system.
4. The hot water hose is disconnected and the water in the tank is drained. If there is no separate pipe for draining water, a check valve is used as one, although in this case the water takes quite a long time to drain.
5. It is necessary to completely drain the water, after which the water heater is removed. It is best to do this together, because the weight of the water heater is quite large without water.

You may be interested in an article about Termex storage water heaters.

Read the article on how to properly replace the heating element in a Thermex water heater here.

Verdict

In most cases, the Thermex water heater can be repaired independently, since it has a fairly simple design and operating principle. The main causes of failure are a non-working heating element or scale . This is what you need to pay attention to first. If the boiler does not heat the water well, do not rush to run to the store and buy a new heating element. Perhaps the old one is simply covered with dirt and just needs to be descaled. If the water heater leaks at the joints or the water in it cools down quickly, you will have to buy a new device.

When purchasing spare parts, do not be lazy to take broken parts to the store. This way you will definitely buy what you need.