Hot Water Heater Malfunction

Jer4sports · November 03, 2015, 04:58 PM

Before my 78 Winnebago that I'm living in catches on fire, I figured I'd ask if anyone has some advice on what to do about my malfunctioning hot water heater. I woke up to the heater apparently causing a massive flame and charring the side of Winnie. I turned it off and relit it, it took longer than it should have to light from pilot to full flame and when it did it was a big flame that went all the way through the chute and charred up the side of Winnie. It went back down but was a larger,more orange flame instead of a smaller blue flame like usual. Also, over the last month or so, the pilot has been going out every day or two, forcing us to have to keep lighting it. Any thoughts on how to diagnose and fix this issue? Don't worry, I turned off the water heater before something catastrophic happens.

Thanks, Jeremy

M & J · November 03, 2015, 06:06 PM

The box with the blue knob is also a regulator. And controls the pilot light. Replace it.

Man thats scarey. One question, is the flame on the stove normal? Nice blue flame and reasonable sensible height?

Jer4sports · November 03, 2015, 06:18 PM

Ok. The flame is more orange and large instead of blue and small like it normally is.

M & J · November 03, 2015, 07:29 PM

If thats the case then it sounds like the main regulator at the tank is malfunctioning. Less than $30 to replace. Easy job to do also.

RANGERRICK · November 03, 2015, 07:56 PM

Check for a spider web in the main burner tube.

EldoradoBill · November 03, 2015, 08:50 PM

Quote from: RANGERRICK on November 03, 2015, 07:56 PM
Check for a spider web in the main burner tube.

X2. Yellow flame indicates not enough air.

Bill

M & J · November 03, 2015, 09:46 PM

Yes, but he said his stove flame was also yellow and higher than normal. Isnt just affecting his WH.

Jer4sports · November 03, 2015, 10:18 PM

Sorry, I misread your earlier message. The stove flame is normal. I was describing the hot water heater flame.

M & J · November 03, 2015, 10:57 PM

Well then yes, spiders love the propane. However still concerned about the volume of flame and the fact you cant keep the pilot lit. If you were a member you could access the manuals section, download the one for your WH and do a full diagnosis. Look for the spidey webs, thats even easier. Sorry for the confusion.

yellowrecve · November 03, 2015, 11:34 PM

Clean the manifold of any cobwebs. Have the propane pressure checked. Many of the stoves have their own regulator, so the flame there may look normal. I think you'll find your regulator needs adjusting or replacing, but use the proper gauge. 11"WC

ClydesdaleKevin · November 04, 2015, 10:05 AM

Same thing happened to our water heater right before we replaced it. After 3 years of one thing going wrong after another, with each part replaced with new parts, it started to flame up and char the side of the RV just like yours. And by all new parts, I mean everything new, including the pressure relief, circuit board, thermocoupler, ignitor, temp switches, the works. The only left that wasn't new was the tank itself and the housing...even the insulation was new...lol! The flame/flare up and char and soot on the side of the RV was the final straw, and we replaced it with a brand new Girard Gen 2 on demand water heater.

Kev