2018 Winnebago Vista Water Heater Blows Out During Ignition

[jimhunter50]

We purchased a 2018 Winnebago Vista 29VE last year and have been plagued with a water heater issue ever since. It is a 6.0 gal Suburban gas, SW6D, water heater. This is a intermittent issue but during ignition it blows itself out. If I open the compartment door there is a very substantial flame that exits the compartment during ignition. Very scary for us and any camping neighbors. This happens at sea level and altitude in no wind conditions. Our local dealer has been work to fix it for a year now with no luck. They have made several adjustment attempts and changed out the circuit board but the issue continues. I am currently asking for a complete replacement. Any other Winnebago owners have this issue or heard of this issue?

[Old-Biscuit]

jimhunter50 wrote:
I appreciate the reply and information. Old-Biscuit, you are right that Suburban for some reason does not have a air shutter like every other type of RV I owned had. I was able to talk to a Suburban Tech yesterday I he was also concerned with the pressure and or a possible delayed ignition issue. Since the circuit board has been replaced I would have thought that would have taken care of any timing issues. Also supposedly they have checked and cleaned the orifice during past attempts to fix the issue. So that leaves me to think it is a pressure issue as you stated.
I talked to my dealer service rep and he got with the Suburban Tech I talked to and hopefully they can get this unit fixed.
Any idea where the LP pressure is regulated at? A assume there is some sort of adjustment at the tank.

Thx

Dealer had to discuss issue with Suburban Tech ......hope Suburban Tech holds their hand :S

LP System Pressure is controlled by the LP Regulator
LP Regulator has an adjustment screw (maybe Dealer Tech can find it, knows how to adjust, can hookup and use a manometer ----can test Reg/replace if needed)

You would be better off having a Mobile RV Tech come to you and FIX the issue.....cause it sounds like Dealer hasn't a CLUE which can be costly if not down right dangerous.

Good Luck!

[D_E_Bishop]

Got in a hurry again. Sorry!

[D_E_Bishop]

dougrainer wrote:
Very simple. The flame/heat round internal tube that runs from the flame in and around and out the exhaust has a blockage/partial blockage. THIS is the cause of flame back or blow out when door is closed. BAD DEALER. Period. You remove the burner and the upper exhaust cover and use a water hose to wash out and a spring type snake to clean out the blockage. The standard test BEFORE you do this is to run a Golf ball down that tube. If it does not come out you have a blockage. You CANNOT see this blockage. Doug

X2 I would have thought the hoards that always talk about mud dauber wasps would have sounded off on this one. Doug probably has see a few and has some idea what the blockage is made of but my guess was blow back and a mud dauber nest. Ran into this often in remote summer cabins in the Sierra.

[dougrainer]

Very simple. The flame/heat round internal tube that runs from the flame in and around and out the exhaust has a blockage/partial blockage. THIS is the cause of flame back or blow out when door is closed. BAD DEALER. Period. You remove the burner and the upper exhaust cover and use a water hose to wash out and a spring type snake to clean out the blockage. The standard test BEFORE you do this is to run a Golf ball down that tube. If it does not come out you have a blockage. You CANNOT see this blockage. Doug

[jimhunter50]

https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipMqLYJs-_P_nRi4gXOBcbUS3_b-jUVLj7yf5FvF

Let me try this. Old Dog, New Trick. Maybe!

[jimhunter50]

Not sure if this will work but the link below is a photo of the mini explosion in the water heater compartment, if this works.

[jimhunter50]

I appreciate the reply and information. Old-Biscuit, you are right that Suburban for some reason does not have a air shutter like every other type of RV I owned had. I was able to talk to a Suburban Tech yesterday I he was also concerned with the pressure and or a possible delayed ignition issue. Since the circuit board has been replaced I would have thought that would have taken care of any timing issues. Also supposedly they have checked and cleaned the orifice during past attempts to fix the issue. So that leaves me to think it is a pressure issue as you stated.
I talked to my dealer service rep and he got with the Suburban Tech I talked to and hopefully they can get this unit fixed.
Any idea where the LP pressure is regulated at? A assume there is some sort of adjustment at the tank.

Thx

[Old-Biscuit]

Suburban does not have an air shutter to 'adjust' so fuel/air ratio are fixed

UNLESS LP System Pressure is HIGH (should be 11"WC with at least 50% of appliances in service)

OR

Water heater orifice has been damaged .....allowing too much gas flow


System pressure..needs to be tested/measured using a manometer and adjusted accordingly

Orifice....replace with new orifice


Circuit Board has NO Affect on amount of fuel flow....just opens/closes gas valve---energizes spark electrode
There are no 'adjustments' on water heater other then aligning burner tube, positioning spark electrode.
Simple gas flows thru a metered hole (orifice) and mixing with air (pulled in via venturi affect) and ignited by high voltage spark

IF RV Dealer 'tech' can't figure it out then they are just parts changers not TECHS

[midnightsadie]

demand it be replaced,a year? you could be dead.