Forum Discussion

viajante's avatar
viajante
Explorer
Dec 15, 2013

Black deposits hot water heater

I recently noticed that the propane side of the hot water heater has a hard time staying lit the first few times it is used. It fires up, runs for a little while, then shuts off. After a couple of minutes, it fires up again. It may go through this cycle several times before it stays on.

After this happens, I get black smudges on the motor home, above the water heater.

Does anyone know what could be causing this and what I can do to fix it ? Thanks for your help.
Class A
  • rickcarlene's avatar
    rickcarlene
    Explorer
    Dec 15, 2013
    I had a similar problem with my furnuce,try lighting the stove burners first once they light lines should have all air purged from the system.Then try water heater worked for me.

    good luck
    Rick
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Dec 15, 2013
    IT is sooting because....
    The flame is incorrect
    Remove burner tube and then remove/clean main gas orifice with alcohol.
    Remove spark electrode assembly and clean combustion/exhaust 'U' tube (run a wire completely thru it----attach a rag to end and then pull it back thru).
    Clean up the spark electrode with emery cloth

    Re-assemble...make sure spark electrode will be engulfed in main flame
    Fire it off
    Adjust air shutter on burner tube so main flame is a strong blue flame with just tinges of yellow at tip
  • SDcampowneroper's avatar
    SDcampowneroper
    Explorer
    Dec 15, 2013
    make sure the burner and heat exchanger tubes are clean. Wasps, spiders webs and the like can restrict air flow resulting in a 'dirty' flame. When you are satisfied all is clean adjust the burner slide tube until the flame is clean and quiet.
  • Clay_L's avatar
    Clay_L
    Explorer
    Dec 16, 2013
    If it is an Atwood the following info from the manual may help. In my case it was a main burner misalignment issue.

    SMOKING AND SOOTING

    CONDITION _____________________SOLUTION
    · Gas pressure incorrect ___________ Set pressure to a minimum of 11½ W.C. with two or more appliances running
    · Poor gas supply________________· Replace gas supply
    · Improper pilot flame _____________ Clean or replace pilot orifice
    · Improper air adjustment__________ Adjust main burner air shutter approximately 1/4 open
    · Flame spreader misaligned _______ Realign or replace main burner
    · Blocked main burner ____________ Remove blockage

    · Improper main burner alignment____ Realign main burner, main burner orifice holder and gas valve
    · Blocked “U” tube ________________ Remove blockage
    ·
  • stuplich's avatar
    stuplich
    Explorer
    Dec 16, 2013
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    IT is sooting because....
    The flame is incorrect
    Remove burner tube and then remove/clean main gas orifice with alcohol.
    Remove spark electrode assembly and clean combustion/exhaust 'U' tube (run a wire completely thru it----attach a rag to end and then pull it back thru).
    Clean up the spark electrode with emery cloth

    Re-assemble...make sure spark electrode will be engulfed in main flame
    Fire it off
    Adjust air shutter on burner tube so main flame is a strong blue flame with just tinges of yellow at tip


    X2!

    I had a similar smoking/sooting WH problem.
    It was caused by a spider web, and a spider, in the burner tube.

    Removal and cleaning of the burner tube is not difficult.

    Mel
    '96 Safari, Suburban WH

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