Rheem SP20060 Electric Water Heater Tune-Up Kit, 2

Exact replacement and easy to install. working like a new water heater.

Buen producto

This was a long time in coming. My water heater has been performing below the idea for a long time and the price of a new unit prevented me from replacing it. My unit is over 22 years old and has no sign of leakage. In the 22 years I have lived here I have drained the tank three times, and that was not a full drain. I watched a Youtube video showing how to replace the heater element and thought I would give it a try when I got around to it. I had an element on my 'wish list' for a very long time but recently saw a listing on Amazon for not only both elements, but the thermostats as well and all for $33.00 So for that small amount I would have essentially a new heater. Removing the elements would allow me to assess the condition of the inside of the tank. If I encountered a lot of mineral build up I would know that this repair was only a band-aid. A friend who owns a plumbing company warned me that in all likelihood the element would be seized and not come out easily, and that it was possible to rip out the threads with the element. I was warned that if it still worked at all to leave it alone until it was done for and then replace it with a new energy efficient model. I followed the basic instructions; doing the thermostats first. Next I was to replace the bottom element since when I do the top it will spill onto the bottom work area. Neither element came loose with fairly heavy effort. There is a rubber 'o' ring between the threads and the tank so I knew it couldn't be seized at that point it must be the threads. I soaked the threaded area on both elements with PB Blaster and waited a half hour before trying again. I had bought the tool recommended and it wouldn't budge either. With continuous effort the tool began to slip on the element collar. I soaked it again with PB Blaster and waited another 30 minutes. In the meantime I went to my tool box and got out a half inch drive breaker bar. I took the new element to my container of heavy duty truck sockets and found the one that fit best.It was actually a metric socket but the size escapes my memory. I took this to the heater and with less effort than to remove a wheel lug nut I felt it come loose slowly and smoothly. I then moved to the other and the same thing occurred - they were both loose. I backed them out about a turn, sprayed more PB on them and then tightened them again. I waited awhile and then with a rocking tighten -loosen-tighten loosen motion I backed them about halfway out with no effort. I changed back to that lightweight tool and did the quick change - pulled out the old one and quickly slapped in the new one, starting it by hand before using the tool and a final tighten with my bar. I followed the instructions on how to properly fill the heater and turn it back on. I tested it in about 45 minutes and it worked magnificently as if it were new. So for 33 dollars and a couple hours of patient work time I have hot water. I am very happy with both the product and the company. The key is take your time and watch the how-to videos.

Perfect fit and easy install

I ordered this full kit, but expected to only replace the suspect lower element in my 15-year-old Rheem 80 gallon tank. Replacement went smoothly and the new element works perfectly, which solves the problem and leaves me a lot of spare parts. The new element looked identical to the 15-year-old one. I was lucky in the sense that the old element was not seized on and the tank and element turned out to be clean and free of sediment and mineral build-up. I carefully followed the YouTube video that showed how to do it without draining the tank, which worked out great, taking about 10 minutes to do the job and losing only a couple of cups of water. I highly recommend the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyC55h7lhYM. If the URL is removed from this review, just look up "Replace Water Heater Element with Full Tank of Water" by Dan Jiles. I also bought the Camco 9953 pro socket, rather than a regular socket, since the Camco is cut flush, without beveling, and flushness is needed to reliably grip the very narrow nut shoulder on the element and avoid slipping off under torque.