Suburban Water Heater gas will not shut off

[bwhiteford]

Hey everyone, thanks for this great community!

We have a 2009 K-Z Coyote LE with a Suburban hot water heater. Tested the water heater today, only to discover a small flame (like a candle flame) right at the small opening at the bottom (shown in photo) after the unit ran on gas successfully. The flame blew out easily, however I've determined there is gas leaking there even when the unit is completely shut down. This is verified with a propane sniffer.

I suspect the gas valve(s) may be faulty, as gas is seeping through even when the unit is completely unpowered. Would love your help checking my logic there.

More importantly, we're hoping to take the rig out tomorrow, so I would love to know if there is a way for me to just shut off the gas for that unit, as we're happy to use it electric. The main gas line does not have a shut off for this unit, so is there something on the assembly that allows me to do this? Would pulling the valves do it?

Thanks so much for your help!
Brooks

[Grit_dog]

Cycle the water heater a few times. Presume by your post you just bought it and who knows how long since it was run.
May get it working right again.

[enblethen]

Replace the solenoid valve assembly!

[bwhiteford]

Here is a photo of it. I also noticed the solenoid housings are plastic, so I’m not sure if that’s an issue with the flame nearby either.

[Boon_Docker]

Try to move the wires away, or wrap a bit of tin foil around them. The only problem with turning off the tanks is, no stove, no furnace.

Post a photo, use this link to post a photo.
http://photoposting.is-great.net/?i=2

[bwhiteford]

Thanks Boon Docker. I was concerned about leaving the flame there with the electrical wires nearby, as the flame seemed to be fairly close to them while it was dancing around. Do you think it’s safe to leave there or will we need to open and close the gas bottles?

Thanks,
Brooks

[Boon_Docker]

Does seem like a faulty gas solenoid valve. Do not blow out the little flame. You do not want a build up of propane that can explode when the water heater fires up.
I don't think you will be able to turn off propane without turning off the propane bottles.