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bighatnohorse's avatar
bighatnohorse
Explorer II
May 02, 2016

Water heater scorched, flame out, re-ignites

(Camper is a 2014 Lance, second owner, out of warranty.)
The Atwood water heater is giving me concerns. It "sounds" like it has too much flame and not enough oxygen. Like the gas is turned up too high.

The water heater on propane will flame out and the igniter can be heard to "tick, tick, tick" until it re-ignites.
If I open the cover plate a little the flame will even out and burn steady.

It seems pretty evident that it is not getting enough air.
But is it?

The cover plate appears to have some carbon scorching.
The interior sheet metal appears to have been modified - it looks cut and bent as if it needed more oxygen. The sheet metal also appears scorched at the top.

Experience? Ideas? Suggestions?
Pictures:




  • agesilaus's avatar
    agesilaus
    Explorer III
    May 02, 2016
    I've been looking at mine, looks like the same model. Have you figured out where the electrode is for electric mode heating?

    Here is the manual BTW:
    PDF
  • bighatnohorse's avatar
    bighatnohorse
    Explorer II
    May 02, 2016
    agesilaus wrote:
    I've been looking at mine, looks like the same model. Have you figured out where the electrode is for electric mode heating?

    Here is the manual BTW:
    PDF


    110 VAC heating components are . . . located on the back of the water heater inside the trailer.
    according to the manual.
    Thanks for that link!
  • larry_cad's avatar
    larry_cad
    Explorer II
    May 02, 2016
    Blow air through the flame path tube to verify there are no "bugs" camping in there, which will block the airflow.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    May 02, 2016
    Nothing looks modified on that WH.

    That sheet metal is the exhaust vent diffuser

    Your issue is improper air/fuel ratio mixture.

    You need to remove burner tube and clean it out with small bottle brush, then run a wire thru combustion chamber an dout exhaust vent....tie a rag to wire then pull it back thru to swab out combustion/exhaust 'U' tube.
    Also remove main orifice (brass insert) that is screwed into gas valve and clean out the center hole (soak in alcohol and blow out with air)

    Then reassemble........ fire off propane flame and adjust 'air shutter' until main flame has nice BLUE flame (Orange and loud equals soot)
  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Navigator II
    May 05, 2016
    Sounds like you have a spiderweb in your burner. As Old-Biscuit says take it apart and clean it out then reassemble. They really are pretty simple to work on. One caution. when you clean out the brass propane orifice, just do as Old-Biscuit says, soak and blow out with air.Do not run any wire through the orifice as it is a carefully calibrated opening.
  • bighatnohorse's avatar
    bighatnohorse
    Explorer II
    May 05, 2016
    Okay, I vacuumed out the tubes. And removed the bent tube and adjustable sleeve to expose the brass orifice.
    No real obstructions noted. There was a small bit of insect webbing near the brass orifice which I cleaned off.
    Wiped everything clean with a micro-fiber cloth and reassembled.
    Tested, and it seems to work properly now - the flame sounds like its burning steady without any flicker and it did not flame out.
    Maybe I should try it with some water in it now. ;)
    Thanks for all your help!

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