Atwood Water Heater lights, but no forceful flame.

Finally had time to get out and research this problem some more. After going over everything on the water heater I proceeded to determine that the furnace would not light either. Then I went to check the stove. Well it lit but would only work with a very small flame, no high.

Worked my way back to and found a kink in the flexible hose that comes off the LP tank and connects to the lines on the motor home chassis. Straightened this hose and everything is working as normal. I think it may have gotten kinked when I had a blow out on the way home last camping trip as my LP tank is directly behind my R rear wheels.

Now to order a new hose. I did not find any problem once straightened but I'll feel a bit better with a new one. Are the gas hoses threaded backwards?

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions, I have learned much from this episode.

Not sure,but sounds to me like only the pilot light is lighting and the gas supply valve is not opening to allow the main burner to ignite.
The problem may be a defective igniter/thermocouple or a defective gas supply valve. The igniter/thermocouple is a single unit; once the pilot lights and heats the thermocouple, the gas supply should open igniting the main burner. The igniter/thermocouple is easy to replace and not overly expensive; replacement of the gas valve is a little more work.

If you have a way to apply 12vdc to the gas valve and the valve opens, then the problem is with the igniter/thermocouple. If the valve fails to open, then the gas valve is defective.

Ray

It may need a simple adjustment. The burner tube can be adjusted by loosening the set screw in the tube and sliding it until you hear a slight roar and get a blue flame then tighten the set screw.

I just had the same problem. Cleaned the gas orifice with alcohol and the burner tube with a pipe cleaner. Reassembled, and it works like a charm!

Open outside compartment door.....stand in front blocking the sun and turn it on gas (should be able to see spark and main flame light off---provided water is cool enough)

Main gas orifice will need to be removed and cleaned with alcohol, burner tube and combustion/exhaust chamber can be cleaned out by pulling rag thru it (after removing burner tube and spark assembly)

Could also be low propane PSI. Turn off the valve at the tank and open SLOWLY.

Do other propane appliances work as they should?

Can't ID the flame as the sun is directly on that side. Will check it after dark this evening.

DIL said that the water was just barely warm, not the usual super hot. I'll try running rag on a wire through everything that will allow. Thanks.

Keep suggestions coming just in case.

What does the flame look like?

Is it staying lit long enough to heat water?

Could be main burner tube and/ main gas orifice need cleaning.

Compressed air rarely will sufficiently remove spider webs....need a bottle brush or rag tied to piece of wire