New hw heater doesn't work

[ce170b]

Hello all,
First time poster but long time lurker. My family and I purchased a new to us 99 Jayco Eagle 12 FSO this summer that needed work. I purchased and installed an Atwood G6A-7 Hot Water Heater with the Robert Shaw controller (same as the factory original) this summer. I finally got around to testing the hw heater a few weeks ago and could not get the burner to stay lit. The pilot would light but the burner had mostly yellow flame and lots of soot buildup. I read through the owners manual as well as the troubleshooting guide and decided to adjust the air shutter which made no difference. After speaking with a tech rep from Atwood I replaced the lp hoses and upgraded to an auto changeover regulator. This change made the flame from the burner mostly blue but still weak and with no roar. Plus there is no hot water to be had from the sink, shower or outside shower. My furnace and gas stove work properly but not the hw heater. Any help would be appreciated.

[mike837go]

Main burner orifice, clogged.


My fridge suffered from that. Filings from other parts.

[ce170b]

Mike837go,
I will check it out when I get home tomorrow. I assumed that since it was new it shouldn't be clogged. Guess not.

[mike837go]

The parts may be new.


But what I found was the tube that ran from the gas solenoid to the main burner had some filings from when the flare fittings were machined. The little bit of oil and aluminum dust caused an in the field repair. Been working fine since.


Your water heater has a standing pilot, so your main orifice is practically part of the valve assembly. Removing and cleaning it may get weird?

[djtho1]

You could also have an obstruction in the big tube that passes through the water heater. Wasps love to build nests in there. I have had to flush that with water before. X2 on the burner tip as well.

[Iraqvet05]

Spiders love to make webs in those orifices too. I ruined some meat in a gas smoker because a spider web was causing the flame to burn dirty.

[ce170b]

I installed the hw heater back in May and finally got around to testing it last month so that must have been enough time for critters to take up residence.

[mike837go]

Originally Posted by ce170b

I installed the hw heater back in May and finally got around to testing it last month so that must have been enough time for critters to take up residence.

Ummmm, uhhh, yeah, that too.

[country boy]

When I purchased mine last year it was doing the same thing. Soot all above heater. I removed the tube that goes from the gas valve to the burner and it was partially clogged with dead bugs. Cleaned it and now perfect.

[ce170b]

Thanks for the replies. I will get back to you with the results.