Recall of GSW Water Heaters with S.I.T. Temperature Controls

Problem:

Description: This recall involves GSW water heaters with S.I.T. model 650 AC4 gas/temperature controls. The temperature control knobs on GSW propane water heaters are red and the control knobs on GSW natural gas water heaters are blue. The controls can be found on GSW Water Heaters with serial numbers ranging from 0202694162 to 0304507825. Hazard: A potential burn hazard from ignition flashback or an increase in tank water temperature.  

Where:

Manufacturer: GSW Industries Inc., of Fergus, Ontario, Canada, Units: 13,000 in USA.  Sold at: Regional appliance distributors from February 2002 through April 2003 for between $150 and $550.  Distributor: S.I.T. Manufacturing N.A.S.A. de C.V., of Mexico; GSW Industries, Inc., of Canada.

What to do:

Remedy: When installing a GSW water heater with a SIT AC4 gas control valve in the identified group, or re-lighting the pilot light, the following instructions must be complied with:

Make sure that the water heater contains cool water prior to lighting the pilot by opening a hot water faucet near your water heater and allowing the water to run for five minutes. Close the faucet.

Turn the gas/temperature control knob clockwise to the maximum (VERY HOT) setting, and then slowly turn the knob back counterclockwise to the PILOT position, indicated by the yellow button. Listen for the main valve to close- this would be a popping or snapping sound. This sound is different from the clicking sound that the knob makes as you turn it.

If you hear the popping sound then the valve is working properly. You should then read and follow the "Installation and Operating Instructions". If you do not hear the popping sound then do not attempt to light the pilot and replace the valve.

If the unit has been stored or is being installed in a cold environment and the main valve does not close before the knob is turned back to the PILOT position, the gas control valve must be warmed up to a temperature above 32 degrees F or 0 degrees C. Once warmed up, repeat the procedure above. If the gas control valve does not close (popping sound), replace the valve. If the water is too hot or if the temperature and pressure valve opens, turn down the temperature using the temperature control. If the water remains too hot or the temperature and pressure relief valve continues to open, then replace the valve. Consumer Contact: Call GSW toll-free at (800) 263-3502 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Consumers can also contact S.I.T. Controls USA Inc. at (704) 369-2810 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

Media Contact: Steve Ilott for GSW at (519) 787-5505 or Jim Kupsh for S.I.T. at (704) 369-2807.

Nighthawk and Lifesaver carbon-monoxide detectors
Might not warn of presence of deadly gas.

Products:
650,000 Nighthawk detectors made 11/8/98-3/9/99, and 350,000 Lifesaver detectors, models 9CO-1 and 9CO-1C, made 6/1/97-1/31/98. Detectors sold for $20 to $50. Nighthawk models have brand name and "Carbon Monoxide Alarm" on front (those with "Carbon Monoxide Detector" on front are not being recalled). Lifesaver detectors have brand name and "Carbon Monoxide Detector" on front. Date of manufacture is on back (year, month, and day in Nighthawk models; day, month, and year in Lifesaver models in first six digits of serial number). Fuel-burning appliances can leak odorless, colorless carbon monoxide of breath, nausea, and dizziness. Exposure to high levels can cause death.

What to do:
Call 888 543-3346 toll-free to arrange for repair.

Amana freestanding downdraft gas ranges
Oven door can be opened during self-cleaning cycle, posing burn risk.

Products:
5,000 ranges, models AGDS901E and AGDS901WW, sold nationwide 10/95-7/99 at department and appliance stores for around $1,500. Model number is located on left side of range below oven and behind utility drawer. Stovetop surface has two gas burners on left side, gas grill on right side, and downdraft vent in between. Ranges come in black or white. "Amana" is written above clock.

What to do:
Call Amana at 800 266-3535, or go to www.amana.com, to arrange for free service call to replace self-clean locking mechanism. You should not use self-clean cycle until repairs are made.

Cadet and Encore brand electric in-wall heaters
Limit switch could spark and pose fire hazard.

Products:
190,000 heaters installed '85-'92 in homes in Calif., Idaho, Mont., Ore., Wash. state, and Wyo. (A few Encore heaters were also sold by Menards, Home Base, Builders Square, Ace Hardware, and Fred Meyer for $100 to $200.) Recalled heaters have Cadet or Encore name on grille. Label on front of internal heater assembly carries model number beginning with FW, FX, LX, or ZA followed by three numbers. One or two limit switches are in small black disc-shaped plastic casings with wires attached. (Heaters with white ceramic switch casings are not involved in recall.)

What to do:
First disconnect power supply. Then remove grille and screw on top of assembly. If your heater is subject to recall, call 800 567-2613 for free repair.

Dynasty pro-style gas ranges

Problem:

Could tip over and injure anyone nearby if heavy weight is placed on open oven door.

Models:
7,200 30-, 36-, and 48-inch ranges, model number DGRSC, sold 1/96 to 12/01 for $3,000 to $7,400. "Dynasty" appears on front of range; model number is located on plate that can be viewed by lifting right-hand cooking module from range top.

What to do:
Call Jade Products at 888-607-5694 to arrange for free installation of anti-tip bracket. For information, go to www.dynastyrange.com.

General Electric and Hotpoint dishwashers
Switch that allows selection of "heated dry" or "energy saver" functions can melt and ignite over time, posing fire hazard.

Products:
3.1 million dishwashers made 4/83 to 1/89, including the following models: GSD500D, GSD500G, GSD540, HDA467, HDA477, and HDA487. Suspect units have serial no. whose second letter is A, M, R, S, T, V, or Z (for example, BM12345). Model and serial no. are located on rectangular label on either left or right front edge of inner tub. GE or Hotpoint nameplate appears on front of dishwasher. Consumer Reports included the GE GSD500D in a previous dishwasher report.

What to do:
Stop using appliance and keep dishwasher door unlatched to prevent flow of electric current from latch to slide switch. Call General Electric at 800 599-2929 or visit www.geappliancerecall.com to find out how to obtain rebate toward purchase of new dishwasher.

Kenmore Elite Trio refrigerator

Problem:
Screw inside refrigeration compartment could pierce wiring harness insulation and pose electric-shock hazard.

Products:
6,000 refrigerators with side-by-side upper doors and freezer drawer below sold from 12/8/02 to 1/10/03 at Sears stores for $1,800 to $2,000:

·  Model series 596.73502, with serial numbers 10171025A to 10171682A; 10226329A to 10226570A; 10226573A to 10227109A; 10308648A to 10308658A; or 10388659A to 10388832A.

·  Model series 596.73503, with serial numbers 10077884A to 10079605A; 10115383A to 10115591A; 10115768A to 10115947A; 10116148A to 10116382A; 10268643A to 10269808A; or 10395629A to 10306108A.

·  Model series 596.73504, with serial numbers 10171688A to 10171935A.

·  Model series 596.73509, with serial numbers 10115233A to 10115382A; 10077719A to 10077748A; or 10308948A to 10308995A.
Serial numbers could also end with the letters V or X. Model information appears on label inside refrigerator. No injuries have been reported.

What to do:
Sears says it has contacted Trio owners to arrange for free in-home inspection. Consumers who have questions should call Sears at 800-659-7026 or visit www.sears.com. Sears is offering a $100 gift card to all customers who own a suspect refrigerator. If you purchased a Kenmore Trio outside the timeframe mentioned above, it is not subject to recall. 

Lennox Pulse furnaces
Corrosion in heat exchanger could allow deadly carbon monoxide gas to escape.

Products:
Lennox Pulse furnaces installed before 1990. Furnaces have model number beginning with G16or GSR14. Remove front door and look for identification stickers, which usually appear on inside cabinet wall on left side. Pulse furnaces can be identified by name on door. (Pulse 21 furnaces were made after 1990 and aren't part of inspection program, but should still be inspected annually.)

What to do:
Have model and serial number on hand when you call Lennox at 800 537-4341 for an inspection. While the company is subsidizing participation in the inspection program, Lennox says there still may be some cost to Pulse owners. Factors such as the location and condition of the furnace, and service unrelated to the inspection will determine the actual cost. If necessary, company will replace heat exchanger or give $400 rebate toward a new furnace. If other work is required, you may have to pay some repair costs.

York, Fraser-Johnson, Luxaire, and Moncrief Diamond 80 furnaces
Interior insulation could burn and ignite combustible materials outside furnace, causing house fire.

Products:
21,000 down flow, mid-efficiency furnaces sold 5/94-7/96 for about $680. Suspect units have model designation beginning with P2DP, PBKD, or XED02, and bear serial number starting with EECM or EGEM. Model and serial numbers are located on label inside cabinet. Furnaces were made by York International and sold by York dealers.

What to do:
Contact local York dealer to arrange for free repair. For information, call company toll-free at 877 874-7378 or go to http://www.york.com/products/unitary/safety/.

MARCO GAS FIREPLACES
Outside vent pipe could come off and allow hot gases to start fire inside wall.

Products:
22,000 decorative gas fireplaces sold 2/93-11/97 at gas-appliance and hearth-and-fireplace dealers for $1,000. Recalled vent system was sold separately for about $140. Fireplaces have sealed glass-front panel and vent system that exits through side wall. The affected models have a six- digit or seven-digit model number, starting with 794 or 797, on label inside lower grill door. Most units have model designation that includes letters "CCT." Older models have designation "MGC36DV." Model designation appears in owner's manual.

What to do:
Call 877 413-9850 for help in identifying recalled fireplaces and to arrange for free repair.

Maytag Gemini gas ranges

Problem:
The Maytag Gemini dual-oven gas ranges could cause a fire and possibly burn anyone nearby when the range upper and lower ovens are in use simultaneously, or when using the top oven's broiler or self-clean feature.

Products:
23,000 ranges, which were sold from July 2002 through February 2003 at appliance stores nationwide for $1,300 to $1,500. Gemini ranges are freestanding and have separate upper and lower ovens. The suspect ranges bear model number MGR6772 and a serial number beginning with the letters "AJ" through "AX" or "CA" through "CC." Both the model and serial number appear on a flip-up tag behind the upper left corner of the control panel. You'll need the information when you arrange for repairs. The recalled units came in white, black, bisque, or stainless steel. The "Maytag" and "Gemini" logos appear on the control panel.

What to do:
If you own a Gemini gas range, call Maytag at 866-580-9177 or go to www.maytag.com to arrange for free, in-home repairs by an authorized Maytag customer-service contractor. Until repairs are made, consumers can continue to use the lower oven as they normally would. They can also continue to bake in the upper oven as long as they avoid using the broiler or self-clean setting, the company says.

NuTone ceiling exhaust fan and light unit
Poses electric shock hazard when you change bulb.

Products:
500,000 units sold 6/96-7/97 at store chains and hardware stores for $60 to $75. Model numbers 663LN, 663LNB, 663LNMP, 669L, 669LB, VF305C, and VF307C are being recalled. NuTone name and model number are on installation instructions. Unit is wired to remote wall switch; white grille protrudes from ceiling in shallow "V" shape. Grille is 12 1/4 inches long and 10 3/4 inches wide, with white light lens at center and air-intake vent on each side. NuTone fans with larger grille or fluorescent lights are not affected.

What to do:
Call 800 273-1124 for repair kit and instructions. 

Rheem electric furnaces and air handlers
Heating element could disintegrate, and molten particles could be expelled into living quarters, creating fire hazard.

Products:
135,000 units sold 8/92-12/95 by heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning dealers for about $600 to $950. Only certain down flow and horizontal installations, including models RBEA, UBEA, WBEA, and WBEMA electric furnaces and models RBHA, UBHA, WBHA, and WBHMA electric air handlers, are subject to recall. Affected models have date code between 3592 and 4595. First two numbers specify week of manufacture; next two specify year. Date code follows letter "M" in serial number. Model designation and serial number are on plate on front of unit. Units have sheet-steel cabinet painted beige or platinum and measuring 35 inches long and 22 inches deep; width ranges from 16to 24 1/2 inches, depending on model. Cabinet houses circulating-air blower, electric heating elements, mechanical controls, and air filter.

What to do:
Call 877 749-6035 toll-free. Rheem will provide replacement blower assembly and pay part of labor charge.

Sunbeam, Hankscraft, and SunMark "glow in the dark" humidifiers
Pose fire hazard.

Products:
560,000 humidifiers sold 3/95-12/97 at discount department stores and drugstores for $8 to $15. Sunbeam units came with 1-gallon, 1.5-gallon, or 2-gallon tank and have service numbers 644 through 646 written on back of motor housing. Hankscraft models came with 1.2-gallon, 1.7-gallon, or 2.5-gallon tank and have service numbers 1260 through 1262 on inside of plastic motor housing. SunMark humidifiers came with 1.2-gallon tank and have service number 1260 on inside of motor housing. Suspect units have date code I001 through J226 stamped on electrical plug. Units are white with green, blue, or rust-colored covers. Brand name is written on plastic cover.

What to do:
Call Sunbeam at 800 440-4668 to learn how to return humidifier to company for free replacement, or visit www.sunbeam.com.

Frigidaire, Gibson, Tappan, and White-Westinghouse gas ranges
Oven-burner assemblies could leak gas and cause fire or explosion.

Products:
23,000 ranges sold 6/97-10/97 for $200 to $450. Affected ranges have 10-digit model number and 10-digit serial number. First six entries of model number are 970-33 (serial numbers VF72808400 to VF73714402); FGF333 (VF71205887 to VF73713122); GGF333 (VF72303525 to VF73310146); MGF300 (VF72105043 to VF73712212); MGF311 (VF72010854 to VF73510650); MGF316 (VF72912839 to VF73711672); MGF324 (VF71906196 to VF73712362); MGF331 (VF72007660 to VF73802057); MGF345 (VF72104790 to VF73712419); TGF330 (VF72504892 to VF73404575); TGF332 (VF72104950 to VF73713181); TGF334 (VF72008616to VF73714892); and TGF335 (VF72204981 to VF73810667). Identifying numbers are under top cover on left wall or in oven or broiler drawer on right side.

What to do:
Call 800 724-7519 for inspection and, if necessary, repair. If you smell gas or hear a leak, turn off oven immediately, open windows and door, and call gas company.

Various brands of gas-fired boilers
Problem:
Could emit dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide.

Products:
8,000 boilers sold and installed by independent heating contractors from 8/01 to 3/02. Recall pertains to the following: Dunkirk and Sears Kenmore models PVWB-4 through PVWB-9; PWB4 through PWB9; PWB-4 through PWB-9; and PWX-4 through PWX-9. Suspect units bear serial numbers 320100007S to 520100299S; and 010200098S to 090200182S. Lennox models GWB8-105E through GWB8-280E; and GWB8-105S through GWB8-280S. Suspect units bear serial numbers 340100148S to 500100600S; and 010200199S to 050200279S. Carrier, Bryant, and Payne models BW1AAN000105 through BW1AAN000280; BW1AAP000105 through BW1AAP000280; and BW2AAP000105 through BW2AAP000280. Suspect units bear serial numbers 3601V04044S to 5201V08708S; and 0102V000015S to 0902V01118S. Pennco models 1504HWD; 1509HWD; 1504HWID through 1509HWID (LP gas only); and 1502HWD to 1509HWD (LP gas only). Suspect units bear serial numbers 90131-0924 to 90152-0424; and 90201-0421 to 90208-0424. Brand name is written on front of boiler. Model and serial numbers appear on data plate on right side of unit.

What to do:
Contact distributor, ECR International, at 800-241-5501, or visit www.boilerrecall.com to arrange for free repair.

Weil-McLain GV gas boilers
Could produce carbon monoxide, which is deadly.

Products:
8,500 boilers, equipped with certain White-Rodgers model 36C98-303 gas-control valves, sold 6/96-11/97 by heating/cooling companies and contractors for about $1,500 to $3,000. Suspect boilers bear date code 9621 through 9723. Date code and model number are on control valve, at front and center of boiler under jacket. Also recalled are all GV boilers (about 1,000 in all) installed at locations 7,000 feet or more above sea level. These units have "WEIL-McLAIN GOLD GV" on jacket. They were installed 6/90-1/98.

What to do:
Call 800 625-5249. If boiler is involved, company will arrange for adjustment of valve's pressure setting.

Whirlpool, Kenmore, and Comfort-Aire dehumidifiers
Could overheat and catch fire.

Models:
1.4 million dehumidifiers sold 2/97 to 12/01 at department and appliance stores nationwide for $130 to $260. Products are white plastic, about 2 feet high, and have water container in front of device. Suspect dehumidifiers have serial numbers that begin with the letters QG, QH, QJ, QK, or QL. Serial number appears on label on wall behind water container. Dehumidifiers with a water container located in the rear are not affected by the recall.

What to do:
Unplug dehumidifier and call manufacturer, Whirlpool Corp., toll-free at 866-640-7139 to arrange for free repair. For information and help in identifying recalled unit, visit www.repair.whirlpool.com. 

Frigidaire, Gibson, Tappan, and White-Westinghouse gas ranges
Oven-burner assemblies could leak gas and cause fire or explosion.

Products:
23,000 ranges sold 6/97-10/97 for $200 to $450. Affected ranges have 10-digit model number and 10-digit serial number. First six entries of model number are 970-33 (serial numbers VF72808400 to VF73714402); FGF333 (VF71205887 to VF73713122); GGF333 (VF72303525 to VF73310146); MGF300 (VF72105043 to VF73712212); MGF311 (VF72010854 to VF73510650); MGF316 (VF72912839 to VF73711672); MGF324 (VF71906196 to VF73712362); MGF331 (VF72007660 to VF73802057); MGF345 (VF72104790 to VF73712419); TGF330 (VF72504892 to VF73404575); TGF332 (VF72104950 to VF73713181); TGF334 (VF72008616to VF73714892); and TGF335 (VF72204981 to VF73810667). Identifying numbers are under top cover on left wall or in oven or broiler drawer on right side.

What to do:
Call 800 724-7519 for inspection and, if necessary, repair. If you smell gas or hear a leak, turn off oven immediately, open windows and door, and call Gas Company.

York, Fraser-Johnson, Luxaire, and Moncrief Diamond 80 furnaces
Interior insulation could burn and ignite combustible materials outside furnace, causing house fire.

Products:
21,000 down flow, mid-efficiency furnaces sold 5/94-7/96 for about $680. Suspect units have model designation beginning with P2DP, PBKD, or XED02, and bear serial number starting with EECM or EGEM. Model and serial numbers are located on label inside cabinet. Furnaces were made by York International and sold by York dealers.

What to do:
Contact local York dealer to arrange for free repair. For information, call company toll-free at 877 874-7378 or go to http://www.york.com/products/unitary/safety/