Water Heater Not Lighting Sometimes

Fixed it! Thanks to the suggestions here. Turned out to be a dirt/mud dauber nest in the tube.

Noticed it when I looked inside the tube with a flashlight when it was burning. When it cooled off, I got a piece of wire and fished it out. Works perfectly now.

Thought I had been careful to keep those suckers out, but apparently one sneaked in around the door as there are gaps on all sides, even when it is closed securely. Do not know if there is a fix for this or not.

Thanks so much for the recommendations and help, folks!

Mike

I've occasionally had trouble with the WH igniting if it's been a while since I used it. Seems like rust/scale from the burner would cause either an obstruction or a bad spark path for the ignitor. I'd blow it out with an air hose and then it would work. Helped others with similar issues.

Also check and make sure the lug to the spark ignitor is seated correctly and any other connections in the spark controller.

I finally replaced the ignitor with a Dinosuar electronics ignitor and haven't had any issues since. Don't know if that fixed it or I've been lucky.

And occasionally folks have had the gas orifice plug. easy to unscrew and clean out just in case.

I kinda get the feeling that you believe using the frig at the same time as water heater may be causing your problem. The amount of gas used by the frig would not be your problem, but a voltage drop could be a problem. Just a thought.

Check all the connections and plugs too. Mine was hard lighting, then wouldn't light at all. Found a plug was very slightly unseated. Lights first time now.

Mike,

Try using a nylon pipe brush to clean the inside of the burn chamber (can't recall the correct term at the present). I got a set brushes at Harbor Freight for about $5.00. Hope this helps.

Steve