Water heater not getting gas.

Topic: Water heater not getting gas. (Read 977 times) previous topic - next topic

Water heater not getting gas.

August 15, 2017, 05:33:04 pm

Gas is up to the control block now. It wasn't before so I replaced the regulator. Now plenty of propane when I open the connection a bit.
The igniter sparks in the gas tube when the DW flips the switch under the sink but no flame. Red light comes back on a few seconds after failure to ignite.
So, now what?? Anybody experience this before?
Everything was working fine when I turned the system on with the water heater full of 5% white vinegar. When I went to check 24 hours later the red light was on and now can't start the heater.

Re: Water heater not getting gas.

Reply #1 – August 15, 2017, 08:02:26 pm

Try removing the jumper wire with an inline fuse. Then try bypassing the thermostat it is hooked to. On the factory board when my heater hit temp the red light would come on. When my board failed it would light up the Red light. I initially blamed bad connections as wiggling the plug would fix it for days. Finally that stopped then this bypass worked but if you leave it on it boils and opens the pressure relief. Installed dinosaur board and a new tstat making hot showers avail to dw again.

Re: Water heater not getting gas.

Reply #2 – August 15, 2017, 08:17:36 pm

Is there voltage to the gas solenoid?
Sounds like the solenoid valve may not be opening............

Re: Water heater not getting gas.

Reply #3 – August 15, 2017, 08:59:19 pm

I put my hand on the solenoid valve while the DW trips the switch inside the coach. I can feel & hear the solenoid "clunk" internally and then see the igniter sparking. The solenoid 'clunks" again and then the red light comes on back inside.
I tried unhooking the thermocouple and running a wire to ground. Popped the 15A fuse under the foot of the bed.
I wonder if when the regulator went bad that something migrated up into the orifice in the solenoid and is blocking fuel flow. Maybe?
I must admit---being an ignorant dumbass--- that when I put the system together about four/five years ago that I used yellow teflon gas tape instead of the paste. So maybe a piece is in the solenoid orifice?

Re: Water heater not getting gas.

Reply #4 – August 15, 2017, 09:06:37 pm

Could it just be that there is a lot of air still in the line from the regulator change out?

Re: Water heater not getting gas.

Reply #5 – August 15, 2017, 09:26:56 pm

Might take ten times

Re: Water heater not getting gas.

Reply #6 – August 15, 2017, 09:35:26 pm

Keep trying? OR temporarily jump the solenoid with 12v until you smell gas?

P.S. dont let the DW turn on the WH switch while attempting this!!

Re: Water heater not getting gas.

Reply #7 – August 15, 2017, 10:00:54 pm

Don't think there is air in the line. I unscrewed the gas line from the solenoid and gas was really coming out! Could even hear it "whistling" and smelled it.
We tried to start it about 15 times.
I think either something is plugging the orifice in the solenoid or water still present under the solenoid. Tomorrow I take the solenoid out and check it.

Re: Water heater not getting gas.

Reply #8 – August 15, 2017, 10:06:02 pm

Yep........... sounds like the next step, probably a piece of trash got through, post what you find out, sounds like my luck.

Re: Water heater not getting gas.

Reply #9 – August 16, 2017, 02:26:07 pm

FOUND THE PROBLEM!!!
On the solenoid valve there are two coils that, when power is supplied to them, they become magnetic. The coil near the main burner tube is nonfunctioning. I put 12V to it and---nothing. Did the same to the other coil and the valve "clicks". Had the solenoid apart and nothing obstructing gas flow except the valve on the outlet side when coil is not actuated.
Tap on the top of the Atwood solenoid #91605 and gas does fire down the burner tube. Stop tapping and barely a flicker of flame.

Now to try to find a solenoid valve!
Best so far is around $90 on Ebay.

Re: Water heater not getting gas.

Reply #10 – August 16, 2017, 07:00:43 pm

Well, that beats my suggestion of feeding it burritos!

Re: Water heater not getting gas.

Reply #11 – August 21, 2017, 01:58:49 pm

Installed new solenoid and now the water heater starts up right away!! Had to do some work on the flue tubes in order to get nice steady blue flame. Works great now!

Old solenoid had a bad coil so valve wouldn't open.

Re: Water heater not getting gas.

Reply #12 – August 23, 2017, 04:02:24 pm

After getting the water heater to work I decided I would fire up the generator. For about 10 tries I had to hold the switch down (the one on the dash monitor panel) in order to keep the generator running.
Started to wonder: "NOW, What the H did I screw up!!?" Eleventh try the generator kept running on its own and the green light came on. Guess it took awhile for the propane to displace the air in the line. Once that happened the generator runs fine.
Sometimes the gods smile on us slightly above average idiots.

Re: Water heater not getting gas.

Reply #13 – August 23, 2017, 04:44:50 pm

Does that generator have a low oil pressure switch?

Re: Water heater not getting gas.

Reply #14 – August 23, 2017, 05:51:26 pm

Nope. You are talking a degree of sophistication that was not available on our model ($$$)

Re: Water heater not getting gas.

Reply #15 – August 23, 2017, 06:19:15 pm

I have found that if you turn on the propane valve about 10 min before trying the generator that this will help most of the time. Also found that if you just filled the propane tank the propane sensor inside the coach has to be reset because it has tripped the in line check valve. Does it every time on my coach. Nature of the beast I guess. Just saying....

Re: Water heater not getting gas.

Reply #16 – August 23, 2017, 06:26:46 pm

Don't have an in-line check valve coupled to the propane sensor. Removed it when I put in a new sensor. All propane lines were empty because I shut off the propane for five days while waiting for the new water heater solenoid valve. So there was a disproportionate amount of air in the line until the propane pushed it thru the generator intake. Once a saturation level of propane was reached the generator kept running. Checked it again today and fired right up.

Re: Water heater not getting gas.

Reply #17 – August 23, 2017, 06:30:52 pm

Quote from: Peterson143 – August 23, 2017, 06:19:15 pm

I have found that if you turn on the propane valve about 10 min before trying the generator that this will help most of the time. Also found that if you just filled the propane tank the propane sensor inside the coach has to be reset because it has tripped the in line check valve. Does it every time on my coach. Nature of the beast I guess. Just saying....

Interesting.
Opening the tank valve for the generator (suspect LIQUID TAP on yours), should give instant fuel to start the generator. Yes, many of us have converted your generation of liquid LP generator to high pressure vapor power-- no idea which way yours is set up at this point.

Not familiar with any check valve. are you talking about the detector powered solenoid valve?

Re: Water heater not getting gas.

Reply #18 – August 23, 2017, 07:10:57 pm

Nitehawk's coach has vapor propane. they started the liquid propane a little later, not sure what year, but was thinking around 93-94.

Re: Water heater not getting gas.

Reply #19 – August 23, 2017, 07:15:44 pm

Quote from: red tractor – August 23, 2017, 07:10:57 pm

Nitehawk's coach has vapor propane. they started the liquid propane a little later, not sure what year, but was thinking around 93-94.

For sure, the 1993 was Liquid. As mentioned, many have converted to high pressure vapor to get away from clogging on the on-generator regulator.

Re: Water heater not getting gas.

Reply #20 – August 24, 2017, 12:06:41 pm

Mine has not been converted still using the liquid propane. Cannot tell you way and maybe not related other then when I turn on the liquid valve and wait about 10 min it always works. Otherwise it is hard starting and takes several tries for it to start up. Does need to be serviced and that is on the list for next shop visit. Yes, the inline check valve is what I was referring for the gas side. My trips every time I fill the propane tank. Have to reset the sensor inside the coach and it will open the check/safety valve. Actually found that advice in researching on the forum. Apparently it has happened to some others in the past as well.

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