Water Heater - Gas side not igniting

[worknomore]

Maybe someone has some ideas -

The gas side of my 12 gal DSI water heater either will not light or lights sporadically. I can smell gas @ the tank, & sometimes it will light during the 3-try sequence, sometimes not. Several times there has been the infamous boom because of too much LP accumulation at the tank - scary as hell. I can hear the igniter sparking (or clicking) while trying to ignite, but nothing. I CAN'T see a spark @ the tank, but don't know if this is normal. Usually, when we get up in the morning, The no-gas light is on next to the switch & we have no hot water. After several tries, I can usually get it to light, but not this morning... We are on a metered site, so running the electric side is $$$

I've checked the tanks & lines for leaks, replaced my regulator, switched tanks - no luck.

Any ideas???

[Ozz]

The symptoms you describe sounds like the spark is either not sparking where it should: at the gap of the electrode and the ground, or, the pilot gas is not coming out where it should; at the gap area. This is a dangerous condition.
(As you know)
Turn off the gas to the water heater, blow out the chamber area with compressed air. Clean the electrode: wire brush, or sandpaper, then see of the electrode is sparking at the correct place (With the gas supply off) examine the wiring to the electrode, insure it is insulated. Examine the pilot supply line, see if it is without holes. Wire brush the face of the pilot orifice outlet if you can get in there.
Then stand back, turn the gas on, see if it ignites properly.

[HOOK]

The round rod protruding into the flame is called a thermocouple. Some times the opposite end where it attaches to the gas control will corrode. Remove it , use sandpaper to clean it, reinstall. T he corrosion could appear as only a small spot . A pencil eraser can be used to clean the control side. Hope this helps.

[Ozz]

Here:

https://picasaweb.google.com/Jimsue13/WaterHeaterGas?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMWopt-8rav25gE&feat=directlink



Had a duh moment, the gas won't be at the first and second nut: pilot orface supply gas, with the power off, I just didn't want your face down there with the power on. You stated it will ignite sometimes. Too dangerous to get in there and test it, but you can soak the nuts, then stand back and have someone try the water heater, the leak, if any will bubble, and you will see it from 10 feet away.

[worknomore]

Thanks guys - will try & clean things up & check for leaks @ the tank & orifice. Crappy weather out right now in the RGV...

[Larry-P]

I had the exact same problem on my 2011 355SA 1 month ago.

Since the unit is under 2 year mfg warrenty, they replaced the igniter & readjusted the spark & cleaned the unit. All parts paid for. I only had to pay $30 service call.

Why not let the factory fix it on the first try instead of hit & miss self repair.

Also, much safer.

[worknomore]

Good thought - if cleaning won't work, I'll try a dealer on the way home. Just don't want to uproot to go to a dealer before we leave for home.

So far, after cleaning, it has lit 3 times in a row - fingers crossed...

[Ozz]

I have probably got 300 furnaces going after just cleaning, or replacing the flame rods.

[worknomore]

Ozz - cleaning, and more importantly adjusting the igniter, seems to have done the trick. Before pulling it out, I noticed the igniter was sitting near the top of the gas flue, so when I put it back I lowered it as much as possible nearer the center.

Thanks for all the info...

[Ozz]

Good job Jim! Come by K.C. this summer and I will put you to work