Whirlpool Flame Lock Water Heater Model FG1F4040S3NOV
July 3rd, 2008 by George
If you have a Whirlpool Flame Lock Water heater (like model FG1F4040S3NOV I own) you are no doubt aware of the class action suit (Bowen, et al v. Whirlpool Corp., et al) whose deadline just passed. If you went to www.waterheatersettlement.com, downloaded, printed, filled out and mailed in the claim from - I think there’s a better way!
My thermocouple (the part that needed repeated replacement and probably the reason for the lawsuit) just burned out recently and its about the 6th time. But this time when I went out to buy a new one guess what? They don’t sell them any more! So I called Whirlpool’s toll-free number and the recording mentioned www.flamelocksupport.com where you can request that they ship you the flame lock replacement kit (Whirlpool calls it a “Flame Lock Enhancement Kit“) for free. Yes, I said FREE! If you don’t need it right away UPS Ground is even FREE! Those of you that want it shipped faster they offer UPS 2nd Day and UPS Next Day shipping, and you only pay for the shipping.
Regardless of how you get your free “Flame Lock Enhancement Kit” shipped to you from Whirlpool you will doubtless need to pay a professional to install it (like I did). It cost meabout $100, but I knew it worked right when the installation was done and I no longer worry about having to take cold showers any more.
Visit www.flamelocksupport.com to get your free “Flame Lock Enhancement Kit” - no more thermocouples! The new kit has a reset button!
This entry was posted on Thursday, July 3rd, 2008 at 8:53 pm and is filed under Technology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
July 27th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Thank you so much for posting this information!! We have been without hot water for over a week and could not locate a thermocouple anywhere. We were just about to go out and purchase a new water heater from Lowes when I decided to google the model number of our water heater and your site came up. I ordered my flamelock kit and only spent $18 in shipping. You just saved us hundreds of dollars!! Much appreciated!
July 29th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
I’m glad to hear this post was helpful! We spent a lot of time and money on this Water Heater since we bought it and I was rather upset to find out they no longer sold the thermocouple any more. We got the Flame Lock Enhancement Kit and now ours is fixed, though we had to pay about $90 to have it installed.
July 30th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
I too have had nothing but trouble with this water heater. In 4 years I have replaced the T/C 5 times. I ordered the (KIT) only to install it and it will not stay lit after it heats a tank of water. This water heater has a 9 year warranty……….but for what????? They (Whirlpool) wants you to continue to try to fix their junk yourself. I bought this product because of the Whirlpool name and POSITIVE experience I have had in the past with their products. I will NEVER purchase another Whirlpool product again.
August 3rd, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Thanks for the info. I’m going to give the kit a shot, what have I got to lose but $11 for 2nd day shipping and couple more days of cold showers.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Kevin,
You may have to have a professional install the kit - I paid someone to install mine and its working good ever since.
I bought mine because of price and (like you) I trusted the purchase because of the name. I’ve learned when I buy low price (like I did with my Walmart ILO model IWT3206 32 inch SDTV also in this blog) that you need to trust the name, and I thought it was a darned shame that Whirlpool evidently had to be sued into taking action.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
Mike,
Good luck! I know what you mean about cold showers, I went about 5 days altogether with cold showers before my kit was delivewred, professionally installed/fixed this last time. Unfortunately it wasn’t covered by ServiceCare so I paid about $100 for it - but its worth it to know I don’t have to worry about “popping” thermocouples.
August 6th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
A new thermocouple shipped from Whirlpool cost me $15 doillars for next day. I don’t know yet how much the install will cost. They recommended SEARS for the install. Hopefully will be under $100. The last time I had to have it replaced it cost me $120. Waterworks in Columbus Ohio replaced it I had to pay trip charge ($25)and hourly rate ($95)=$120.