Hot Water Issue

[Bobby_W]

We are getting a lot of soot on the side of our RV from the water heater. Never had this problem before. water heater works great but not sure how to fix the soot issue.
Bobby

[1492]

Moved from Forum Posting Help and Support

[Old-Biscuit]

Sooting is due to lack of AIR....fuel rich flame


Clean burner tube....remove and swab with small bottle brush
Clean orifice...remove/soak in alcohol and then blow on it (LOW air pressure)
Swab combustion/exhaust chamber to clear of soot and/or debris ,,,,,push a wire thru combustion inlet---out the exhaust. Tie rag to the wire and pull back thru

If you have an Atwood you can adjust air inlet by opening the air shutter a bit more.

But typically sooting is due to 'stuff' obstructing air/fuel mixing...a spider web can cause enough of an obstruction to disrupt proper air/fuel mixing

[midnightsadie]

X2 but I,d clean the burner first.

[wildtoad]

Perhaps the burner flame needs adjusting, and the burner tube needs cleaning. Flame should be mostly blue and not much yellow. There should be a procedure in your owners manual for cleaning. Mine says to adjust the flame if you’re getting soot.