Small Gas Leak in Water Heater. Where could it be?

So I found the leak in the water heater gas valve as suggested by old Biscuit, replaced it and no more smell around the water heater.

Bad news is I decided to make my own manometer to do a proper leak check and discovered I only had about 8" of wc. I tried to adjust the regulator but it would not even get to 11 turned all the way up. So I think the regulator is bad and I will replace it tomorrow.

Windex works great for finding leaks. Spray everything down with it to find any leaks (and clean things up at the same time!!)

Check all fittings with soap and water mix for leak. (bubbles)
Brian

Old-Biscuit wrote:
There is only one propane regulator (well actually could be two if propane tanks are located on both sides of a 5vr)

Anyway the two stage regulator at the propane tanks feeds ALL the propane appliances.

If you smell propane at water heater (and sometimes inside rig?)

Then carefully check propane line fitting at the water heater gas valve (not a regulator).
You can also remove burner tube and leak check where gas comes out of gas valve (brass fitting with very small hole in center----main orifice)
If leaking at main orifice.......gas valve is leaking thru and should be replaced with a new one.

IF you are smelling propane while water heater is operating on gas then check what the main flame looks like..should be strong blue flame with slight tingles of yellow at tip. If not.....adjust air shutter (small slotted tube next to gas valve on burner tube with one screw in it)
Loosen screw and move air shutter in/out until you have a strong blue flame.

Sorry I meant gas valve not regulator, I guess my terminology was incorrect. This will help me a lot and I will try these things tomorrow and report back. Thanks a lot. Trying to get ready for a trip this Sunday.

There is only one propane regulator (well actually could be two if propane tanks are located on both sides of a 5vr)

Anyway the two stage regulator at the propane tanks feeds ALL the propane appliances.

If you smell propane at water heater (and sometimes inside rig?)

Then carefully check propane line fitting at the water heater gas valve (not a regulator).
You can also remove burner tube and leak check where gas comes out of gas valve (brass fitting with very small hole in center----main orifice)
If leaking at main orifice.......gas valve is leaking thru and should be replaced with a new one.

IF you are smelling propane while water heater is operating on gas then check what the main flame looks like..should be strong blue flame with slight tingles of yellow at tip. If not.....adjust air shutter (small slotted tube next to gas valve on burner tube with one screw in it)
Loosen screw and move air shutter in/out until you have a strong blue flame.