How to fix Rinnai RL94 Tankless Water Heater - Error Code 10, again...

[@alpinejonny]

I paid a lot of service techs a lot of money to fail to figure this out. Thank you for this video... this took me 20 minutes and it no longer error 11's

[@seatownfunk3]

Thank you, Mr. Smith, for this very helpful video. This saved me from paying thousands of dollars for a brand new replacement as suggested by a local plumber. Clearly this plumber was out to make some money while trying to take advantage of a customer. Did this all myself in less than an hour going very carefully step by step. All good and no more error code 10s so far!

[@ParkerSmithIII]

The red cable is a wire hanger. Bundle all the other wires up and wrap it around them to keep the wires from touching any hot pipes.

[@seatownfunk3]

@@ParkerSmithIII Yes, I saw that in the video when I watched it again. Although none of the bundled wires appeared to be close to touching the copper tubes inside, I did go ahead and zip tie them a little closer and higher just to be safe. Thanks again!

[@TrailWifeLife]

Same exact symptoms at our house. It first started as a problem when multiple showers going on and then it happened when only one was in use. That was the deal breaker for me when it wasn’t only the kids’ taking showers at the same time. Thanks to your video I fixed it while my husband was at work all while showing my 5 y/o daughter that moms can fix things too! Saved a couple hundred on a plumbing bill for sure!

[@ParkerSmithIII]

Wonderful! Glad to help.

[@easywin17]

Amazing video! Saved me an unknown sums of money. Had 1 “professional” come out, and after telling and showing him the issue you solve on this video, he did other stuff. He fixed the issue for about 30 minutes and upon his departure back to no hot water and $310 later….this morning I tackled this issue after watching this video and discovered at least 20 moths in my fan as well as their residue caked around the inside of the housing that I cleaned off with wet rags. Then magic presto, put it all back together and am up and running. I’m surprised that my HWH ran as long as it did with the generous amounts of moths inside. Thanks again!

[@joehazelquist3037]

Thanks for posting this. Fixed our issue, and we didn't have to call a repair guy and spend MORE money.

[@markscarberry9205]

Lifesaver! The water heater tech had no idea how to fix it. We watched your video and got it done! We have hot water! 😊🎈

[@markscarberry9205]

Not that I could have done it myself. Kudos to those of you who did.

[@OR_Highlander]

After multiple emails and calls (6 total) with truly poor responses from Rinnai I went to YT and found your video. Then afterward found 7 small moths within the impeller blades that were causing the problem, yet your instruction(s) were sufficient to return our home to uninterrupted hot water... thank you.

[@devineimageworks]

I had an issue where my hot water was randomly cutting out after several minutes. Followed this video, cleaned the all of the bug guts and other crap out of the fan blades - everything seems to be working well again. Also hooked my shop vac up to the air line when the fan was out and sucked/blew for a few secs each in case any loose junk was way up inside. Simple, easy to follow video.

[@SDShinkle]

YOU THE MAN !!! My family and I thank you so much for posting this video. My RL94 has been randomly cutting the hot water for 6 months or more. This procedure took me about 10 minutes and completely fixed the issue.

[@zlawrenceking]

Fabulous. Concise. Can only imagine what might have cost to have resolved professionally.

[@bryansakalas497]

These cold temps we're having my hot side froze and came to YT for help. Came across your video while searching for tips to get water flowing again. After a hair dryer for 30 min I was getting the 10 error code. This video saved me from calling a plumber. Great video and thanks for the help!!

[@ParkerSmithIII]

Glad it helped!

[@ParkerSmithIII]

Glad it helped!

[@noelpusey8693]

After 2 days of complete frustration, I finally found your video. 30 mins later after removing 4 moths and a bunch of paper bits, we were up and running with continuous hot water again. Thank-you Thank-you Thank-you!!!!!!!

[@ParkerSmithIII]

Glad to help

[@g-daddy3862]

Had the Code 10 on mine, found your video, and did what you did. Problem solved! Thank you!!!

[@jenniferrodin1454]

Thank you again! I rewatch your video every time I need to do this! 😊 It's very helpful and clear!

[@XIIMonkeysMusicGroup]

Just had this code 10 just pop up today! Wife couldn't fill the tub without me clearing the code every minute!

[@robertdyck]

I wasted $300 on a pro plumber who did nothing. This took me 30 minutes to pull out 4 moths and problem solved. Thanks for making this video!

[@matts7944]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video. Much appreciated!

[@ParkerSmithIII]

Very welcome

[@glennnelson3275]

Sorted my Code 10 about this time last year with your great video. This year we had a Code 12 but with some of the same symptoms (temperature fluctuations) of the Code 10 last year, so I pulled up your trusty video and cleaned the filter again and the Code 12 mysteriously disappeared. Guess this needs to turn into a quarterly affair, although strangely the amount of dust and debris in ours was so minor you would never eyeball it and call it a problem. Really finnicky these Rinnai heaters...

[@jenniferrodin1454]

I'll second all this!

[@adamant5637]

Amazing video and straight to it! Exactly what my issue was. Had a handful of debris in my fan! Can't thank you enough! You helped me Dad better!

[@ChristmasCRL]

Good job! Saved my bacon. My new tankless started throwing error code 10 when I had AirBnB guest in my barndo on a Saturday. T This video did the trick. One suggestion. The back of Your head is in the way of the camera at the start.

[@brightonwang1]

Great video! Thank you! Saved me the hassle of calling, arranging for HVAC tech.

[@chaskinsnc]

great video. Professionals from the Gas Company have been out 3 times and have not solved my problem with the exact same symptoms. I will try this over the weekend and hope to have the same success.

[@rileytalksaboutthings4983]

I followed your instructions to a 'T' and found a few wasps and moths in the fan. When I re-installed the fan, I was still getting code 10, turns out a dirt dobber nest was built on my outside intake chamber deep inside the duct which was blocking the air flow to the fan. Once I cleaned that out, she's working like new again. Thanks for the details!

[@benberlangieri5760]

Thank you your video was easy and precise. The hardest part was putting the screws back in.

[@hoozdapimp]

Thank you SO MUCH for this video. Saved me a lot of money with a plumber by doing it myself. My RL94 is back working again!

[@ParkerSmithIII]

Glad to help

[@kellychristian4714]

Same exact symptoms on my Rinnai R94LS. This video was extremely helpful and saved me a $350.00 dollar plumbing bill. Thx Thx Thx :-) :-)

[@D-meist]

Shout outs for making this video. I was able to get my water heater sorted thanks to you.

[@ParkerSmithIII]

Glad to help!

[@BenMitchell007]

Thanks so much for your video, my fan was also full of moths! Now it’s clean, my Rinnai is running smoothly again!

[@ParkerSmithIII]

Glad to help!

[@jasonjwillard]

Yes! It works. I found a wood chip that was preventing the fan from working. Thank you.

[@jerrymartin9854]

Thank you Parker, you are life saver! Kids home from Ball State University! Dryer vent is close and about 1/4 of the squirrel cage had lent stuck to it! Thank you my Friend! Jerry M Indianapolis

[@clwnwrld2000]

thanks!! similar fix needed for my rc98; a few small differences to get fan out but easy to figure out with a bit of patience. Used a dry tooth brush to clean fan

[@Ajk71plumber]

If you look at the area above the wires you unplugged, you will see Y for yellow, R for red, and I do believe BL for blue. It's printed on the silver plate above them. They give you cheats for putting wires back. Good video. You can also get the Code 10 for build-up in the vent itself. It's good to remove and check that.

[@garygreeson]

Thanks so much! Just completed my maintenance thanks to you.

[@ParkerSmithIII]

Glad to help!

[@AngelReyes-gx8jp]

Thank you for taking your time it really helps me to get my job done😊

[@Dmalcolm1]

This is so helpful! Thank you for your thorough explanation.

[@tubedhana1]

Thank you! I had this issue for a while and before calling technician, I found your video. Now we are a happy family of 6!😊

[@acrocerid]

Thank you so much! This resolved my issue, really appreciate your video!

[@arlenem9697]

Nice video instructions. I have not installed my tankless yet, but I do wonder about the openings in the vent. Im thinking about placing some kind of window screen material over the vent opening to help keep the bugs out. Rinnai should have made the fan a little more accessible knowing this could happen.

[@eneis3529]

Thanks a million sir, my tankless heater work really good,appreciate very much 👍🏼

[@davidratduke]

thank you so much for this video. Everything worked exactly as you described. You saved me a ton of money and time.

[@canyonsvo1913]

Worked like a charm. Thanks!

[@briancarlisi2224]

Good video! May want to be wearing safety glasses while using compressed air. Thanks for sharing!

[@patriciaallen3112]

Thank you so much for this! I fixed it myself!

[@d.barclay1564]

Video saved me a lot of money! Thank you

[@glenkinney7395]

Mine was packed with moth pieces, thanks for this.

[@randytucker4563]

Thanks for posting this Parker. Very useful 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@keithprice720]

@ParkerSmithIII have you ever had an issue with your water heater making a vibration/humming noise? I’ve checked and replaced the fan motor and that didn’t do anything. It did not make the noise whenever it was new.

[@judyfood]

Thank you so much, your vid is the best! Have used it twice..

[@aashishshah25]

Mr. Smith, Great video, you saved me $650 + tax service. To work on this. The water heater is back in business like a new one. I only want to know where we can find this fan as a backup as the fins on mine seem rusty due to a long time of 8+ years. Thanks, Model DR-8535-812D Above this it says u287-360-cw-2

[@Blur-bz5rs]

Are you still looking for the fan model?

[@Eclipce051]

should we add a filter to the intake ?

[@peterhe4272]

Thank you for your video, it is really helpful. However the water still cold during the shower after clean the fan. When I turn on the water, it comes hot water during the beginning, but turns to cold, and error code 10 comes again. May I ask what can I do after clean the fan? Thanks again!

[@ParkerSmithIII]

Make sure the fan is properly seated when you reinstalled. Another viewer just left a comment about this. Also, you may want to take the fan back off and take a leaf blower and blow out the exhaust from the inside. I did this on mine. You probably have something in the exhaust system that is still causing excess heat to build up.

[@michaell82]

I got a 61 code but I think this is my problem. 61 is for the fan unit. I'll try this first then replace the fan if I still have the issue. Great video, this is the same model I have. Also, I need the WIFI module!!

[@mikeflerchinger5765]

Thanks! Good info, saved me dollars

[@shoa8929]

So I took the 4th screw at the 1 o'clock that had the red ground is located. But noticed that the end of it had gotten disconnected. Anyone know here exactly the second end goes? Thanks in advance.

[@ParkerSmithIII]

@@shoa8929 That is a hanger support wire to wrap around the bundle of wires going in front of the fan. Keeps the wires off the hot pipes.

[@shoa8929]

@@ParkerSmithIII Oh that makes sense, I wasn't sure as in the video it was called the "ground wire" so thought it got disconnected from some place. Thanks!

[@211thStProductions]

This worked! Thanks for posting!

[@kennethsmith8018]

Very helpful, thanks!

[@csh2oboy]

Great video! After fixing the problem I saw Rinnai sells a protective cage that goes around the “squirrel fan” so may not have this problem happen again. Another issue I’ve had since buying the system is it takes forever for hot water to get upstairs, not as on demand as I hoped. Anyone else have this issue or know how to fix it??

[@brianhenry9291]

I need something to keep lizards from getting in my fan. Was that protective cage easy to install?

[@scottcolvin4138]

Thank you so much. I have that code and cold water. I pulled the blower and it was sure was loaded with moths. Do you know if there’s a high altitude setting? I have the same tankless as you. Also, have you installed a recirculating pump to prevent water waste… what’s your thoughts Thank you Scott

[@ParkerSmithIII]

No idea on the altitude setting

[@FERNV775]

There are some jumpers mentioned in the manual to adjust for altitude.

[@tb3408]

easy fix thanks for the help!

[@jenniferrodin1454]

Thank you. I dropped one of those screws that held the fan on and couldn't find it. I don't have any idea how to find a match for it at Walmart. What should I do? Would hate to call the plumber now that I cleaned out all those pesky moths! Oh! I have one more question. Is there a way to safely clean out all the debris that's just sitting inside the Rinnai housing? I've had it for 11 years, so quite a bit has accumulated. Is it a fire hazard or no big deal? Thanks again. I really appreciate you very much! SO helpful and informative!

[@ParkerSmithIII]

Glad to help. The screw is a sheet metal style screw, if I remember correctly. Take one out and go to Home Depot and ask an associate in the screw/bolts aisle. As far as cleaning the rest out, I hooked my air blower to my air compressor hose. I also used my electric leaf blower and blew it into the pipe when I had the fan out to ensure all bugs were blown out of the inside through the exhaust pipe. Good luck.

[@76bwjordan]

How did you undo the red-yellow-black-white wire clip (4:17)? I'm afraid I'm going to break something, but can't tell how I'm supposed to squeeze/pull.

[@ParkerSmithIII]

Those clips are just female spade connectors that slide off. Just wiggle them left to right while you are pulling down.

[@macheted01]

Thank you for this video.

[@watsoncali25]

Excellent video, appreciate your help

[@MrRick2805]

Thanks thanks 1 million thanks, helping sooooo much ❤

[@deniseandmarkfirestine7443]

Install screen around the outside wall intake it makes a big difference in debris infiltration..

[@brianhenry9291]

Can you post a photo of that?

[@Mactonite77]

Do you need to kill power to the rinnai before doing this?

[@ParkerSmithIII]

@@Mactonite77 Yes, absolutley.

[@Mactonite77]

​@@ParkerSmithIIIjust rhe cleaning, so far so good! Thanks!

[@Mactonite77]

Just did the cleaning , so far so good. No error code.

[@ajayinthelife857]

Great video, thank you sir

[@ParkerSmithIII]

You're welcome!

[@guypetty2731]

Thank you!!

[@surrelljr]

After I cleaned out the fan, then I started getting an error code 10. I took it back apart, and I discovered that I didn’t properly seat the rubber boot to the fan. So there was an air leak . I properly seated the boot, and then it seems to run just fine now. The first time I took the squirrel cage off, the mistake I made is I didn’t seat the fan properly back in, there’s a small slot, that a tab fits into when it is properly seated. So there was a gap in the back, when I turned on the hot water too much, it would let out a big WHOOMP! So make sure that the fan is properly seated also. So in my experience, I had to make sure of two things on the fan, that it is properly seated, and the rubber boot that attaches to the fan is also properly seated. The last thing I did was peeked into the exhaust/intake on top. I should’ve done this the second to the last, however, when I did, they were dead yellow jackets on top of the piece of metal with small holes in it, and also a dead yellow jacket, on what looked like a heater core. so I blew them out with an airline, I might have to remove the fan and check for debris pretty soon. Runs great now, I got an error code 10 after I cleaned the fan. However, insects will plug up the intake along the way, so it’s a good idea to back blow it also from the bottom. Runs great now, good luck.

[@paultillotson3714]

Thanks for the FIX!! ... Has anyone come up with a way to keep insects getting sucked down into the exhaust/air intake?

[@johnking4705]

thank you !! saved my butt

[@_astralxinfluenced_2799]

TLDR: [Code 10] My vent line was almost completely full of condensed water, so I opened the drain line that's capped, drained all the water, & the unit works fine again. Hey guys, had an Error 10 on my unit just yesterday (Model# RSC199iN - Rinnai Tankless "indoor" unit, installed inside my garage). I looked all over the internet & came across a plethora of possible causes & fixes; including this video. My unit is less than a yr old & I don't have problems with insects getting into places they don't belong, nor does the system share a vent/intake with my furnace. That said, I called my installer & he told me a possible cause was too low of gas psi entering the unit, which made sense due to the fact that here in the PNW we had a freak winter storm producing balmy temps of about 8. Because of the cold temps & my neighborhood is ran off nat. gas, the high demand could've dropped the supply psi to a point where ignition couldn't be achieved. I tested that by shutting down my running furnace & nat. gas fireplace - no luck. I noticed that when the unit attempted to fire, there was a bubbling sound within a black plastic manifold, that connects to the outer vent PVC (like if you were to blow in a straw in a glass of liquid). Since I wasn't present on 1st install/setup, I had no idea if this was normal or not, but I fixated on that noise. Though the unit has a drip/condensate line already, I noticed on the bottom of the unit, across from the already in-place drip line, _there's another capped line that has a stamped/extruded "DRAIN" on it. I opened it up, & a *ton of water came out. Restarted the unit & it's working perfectly again._ My installer said it's the 1st he's ever heard of such, & no write-up/video I came across mentioned trying that either. So if you hear percolating water in your unit on startup, try the drain line. Be sure to put a pale under it, as there was quite a bit of liquid in there. That caused the fan to run extremely hard to try to vent through that much water, & luckily the safety mechanisms of the unit caught the issue & shut it down before frying my fan. Hope this helps!

[@notastepizzaface]

For those with the R94LS where the fan in sideways - I found another video showing how to remove the fan. - kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3mmY36ig89jfas

[@DarrelMathis]

Very informative, just wish you had shown more of your actual work and not the back of your head

[@ParkerSmithIII]

I agree. However, the better video instruction is the first video I did at kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJXcZ5SgbM6CfZY. This was intended to be a follow-up to show there would indeed be bugs in the fan.

[@personxyz1840]

BAD NEWS: My plumber just lost 500$

[@forrest225]

Thanks, mine seems to attract ladybugs.

[@cameronrosen6910]

Dude, PLEASE move the camera closer, and don't put yourself directly in the line of sight.

[@ParkerSmithIII]

Dude, your welcome anyway. Watch the first video.

[@supereyes9468]

Thanks u so much.

[@thefaithfulchurch3775]

Thank you sir for this Video!