Xandar01's Journal: IANAP

Before we even start, I am not a plumber. This weekend I replaced my water heater. The old one was rusting through the outer jacket. The project went fairly smoothly even though I had to build a new floor for the utility closet that the water heater was in due to excessive water leakage. Well I have the new one installed and everything seemed fine and the T&P valve started to "weep." I had not even turned on the gas for the heater yet so I thought that maybe it was some pressure stabilizing since it was the first time it was filled. I open the hot water tap at the sink for a few seconds and the weeping stopped. I lit the pilot and let the tank start doing it's job. About 30 minutes later the T&P valve started weeping again. I again relieve pressure by briefly opening a hot water tap. Since it late Sunday night I decide to leave one of the faucets open to drip. This effectively kept the water heater from weeping (important because I had reused the drip pan, which appeared to be in good condition but I discovered pinhole leaks in it last night.)

I am concerned because although I bought a water heater that was all the same specs that all the buying guides had suggested, all except the maximum supply pressure. I don't recall any guide listing this as critical, although I am sure it must be. The installation guide that came with my water heater suggested that the pressure problem came from a closed system. I am at a loss at what I need to do. I will probably call the 800 number tonight after work to see what help they can provide. Any have any ideas?

Install guide's troubleshooting help says for a weeping T&P valve the possible causes/solutions are:
Water pressure to high - possible closed system
Stacking - Caused by turning hot water on and off for short periods to often
Third cause I don't remember but it was definitely not even closely related to my problem. Update 8/29/03: After talking to the help line and checking the manual the third cause was a closed wate system which may be my problem after all...

Water specs are (New - Old) Update 8/29/03: These are gas pressure ratings
Minimum Supply Pressure -- 4.5 - N/A
Manifold -- 3.5 - 3.5
Maximum Supply Pressure -- 10.5 - 14.0
- Following are the same on both:
Input BTU 34000
Capacity 40 Gal
Update 8/29/03: These are the important water pressure ratings
Tested Pressure 300psi
Working Pressure 150psi

Update 8/29/03:
I have checked my water pressure and it seems that my pressure regulator may be bad. Pressure before the regulator is 140 psi. If I have used water recently the pressure after the regulator is 80 psi, but over a period of time the pressure equlizes to 140. Not too sure that is good. My HOA is sending a plumber to check the regulator.

One thought that occurred to me is to adjust the water pressure regulator outside. Of course I have no idea which way to turn the screw, as there are no indicators. It's a Wilkins model 600 and I try to look up on the net, long shot I figure, and no luck. I notice a tag on it the adjusting screw that lists the following:
Range 25-75
Temp. 180 deg
Max 300
Still no luck. So anyone have any ideas?