Product review (5 stars): Perfect Replacement
I purchased this tank heater kit because my old Model VPR was making annoying loud popping noises when the heater came on. I was expecting the old element to be cracked or something but it looked perfect. What I did find was about 1.5 inches of fine white lime/calcium paste in the bottom of the tank. I do clean the coffee maker using De-scaler products from Amazon on a regular basis, but I did buy it used so there is a possibility some or all of the sludge was present when I bought it.
At any rate the heater kit worked perfectly, heating without noises, but I don't expect I will need another one for quite a few years.