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nimblewill's avatar
nimblewill
Explorer
Jul 04, 2013

Problem # 2 Hot Water Heater

I have an Atwood G6A-Seven hot water heater in my 2002 Jayco Hybrid. It lights very easy but the burner only stays on for 2 or 3 minutes before going out. Sometimes when I turn it from "pilot" to "on" it blows the pilot light out but every time the burner quits the pilot goes out.

Very Frustrated.
  • Thermal couple must be directly in the pilot flame.
    Most are a weak orange.
    Winterizing valves in correct position water should flow through tank to faucets. Could open the pressure reief valve to see if water comes out with pump on or city water connected. You will have to drain water out to re-establish air in tank.
  • enblethen wrote:
    There is water in the tank!
    Verify that the thermal couple is directly in the flame. Replace thermal couple.


    I replaced the thermocouple. Should the pilot flame be orange or blue? I cleaned the pilot assembly and the flame got smaller but bluer. now the thermocouple is not directly in the flame. No change in amount of time burner burns. I'm really new at this so how do I know whether or not there is water in the tank. All the valves seem to be open and I have turned on the hot water lines.
  • Spiders love to nest in LP jets. Carefully clean out the jets with something soft, not steel.

    -- Chuck
  • There is water in the tank!
    Verify that the thermal couple is directly in the flame. Replace thermal couple.
  • Thanks. I cleaned the pilot assembly and am getting a tighter bluer flame and the pilot burns longer but it still goes out when the burner goes out after about a minute. I check the rest of the things listed.
  • Here are some of the things Atwood suggest as possible cause of burner not remaining on and solutions:

    Improper gas pressure -- Set inlet pressure to a minimum of 11? W.C.
    with two or more appliances running

    Improper air adjustment -- Adjust main burner air shutter approximately 1/4 open

    Partial blockage of main burner -- Remove blockage

    Partial blockage of main burner orifice -- Clean or replace orifice

    Flame spreader misaligned--Re-align spreader or replace main burner

    Blockage in ā€œUā€ tube --Remove blockage

    Poor gas supply -- Replace gas supply

    Exhaust grille blocked --Remove blockage

    Improper main burner alignment --Re-align main burner, main burner
    orifice holder and gas valve