BFL13 wrote:
If the fault is the valve won't open, you know something is wrong and will eventually find it . In this case with it stuck open, the WH worked ok and it was some time before I noticed anything was wrong-- can be dangerous.
So I need a routine check of the WH, fridge, and furnace to catch this a lot sooner after it happens if it happens again. Sniff test at least.
You have a 1991 appliance, a 29 yr old device which is exposed to the great outdoors.. From your pictures it has considerable rust on the DSI ignitor/flame detection parts. The valves you show have considerable amount of weathering, consistent with winter salted roads..
You HAVE gotten your money's worth out of it for sure.
I suspect any valve has the potential to fail in open or closed position, generally though electrical gas valves are supposed to fail in the closed position but hey, anything can happen. Things like moisture content in the propane supply can corrode the internal parts and the oils in the propane supply can gum up internal moving parts.
I would have to say, that given the age of your rig, just a periodic sniff test should still suffice, I wouldn't think you would have to check every day for the most part.
