COMBUSTION SMELL FRO HOT WATER TANK

Gjac wrote:
If you have never cleaned the flue I would do that first.

By ALL means!

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If you have never cleaned the flue I would do that first. You will have to remove the burner tube and the exit vents to run a bottle brush or a coat hanger and rag through the flue. Spiders and other bugs can build nests in there and that can burn causing the smell. I blow mine out every year in the spring with compressed air and always see debris that comes out. As others have said it could be incomplete combustion and if you play withe the slider that adjusts the air to propane until you hear a slight roaring sound and all the yellow goes out of the flame, that may help also.

It sure sounds to me like something in the burner assembly or flue needs adjusting or cleaning. Even though the flame looks OK, I'd give it a decent going over.

(Running on electric isn't at all a viable option for a good many RVers who, like me, have gas only water heaters!)

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My hot water heater is right outside my kitchen sink where there is a window. If I have the window open and turn the hot water heater on the exhaust smell comes right in. I now make sure that window is closed when I turn the hot water heater on. And yes I only turn it on when I need it.

The wind does also have an affect on how much comes in too. Could be why you sometimes smell and sometimes not.

Try it on electric no fumes.