Propane water heater issue?

[JeremyH]

Hi all,

In March I bought a new 2019 Jayco 284BHS and have it parked at a lake where I've been staying in it 3-4 nights a week. It has a six gallon DSI water heater and this weekend I noticed quite a bit of black soot coming out of the water heater vent. Is this normal? If not, is there something I can adjust without having to take it back to the dealer?

A secondary question: the hot water temperature is VERY hot but I haven't found a temperature control to adjust. Any suggestions?

Being new to RV life I greatly appreciate all of the tips and suggestions on here. Thank you all!

[Marcm157]

Pull the burner tube off - Most likely there is an air obstruction. Could be a spider web, insect nest etc.

Take a look at this video - Might help a bit...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSjDklZh4ws

[Cavie]

Originally Posted by JeremyH

Hi all,

In March I bought a new 2019 Jayco 284BHS and have it parked at a lake where I've been staying in it 3-4 nights a week. It has a six gallon DSI water heater and this weekend I noticed quite a bit of black soot coming out of the water heater vent. Is this normal? If not, is there something I can adjust without having to take it back to the dealer?

A secondary question: the hot water temperature is VERY hot but I haven't found a temperature control to adjust. Any suggestions?

Being new to RV life I greatly appreciate all of the tips and suggestions on here. Thank you all!

gas/air mixture needs adjustment. Try a trip to You tube. A generic video will be fine to show you how. No need for model specific but search it if you can. . It is not supposed to smoke! If your not a DIY guy it's time for the dealer. Temp is not adjustable, it is Factory set at 140. The trick is to turn on the cold first then add hot water. Makes 6 gal go a long way.

[Jagiven]

Every- time I have experienced the black soot up the side of the TT, it has been due to spider nests. Spiders LOVE the smell of propane. Pull the flame tube out and clean it. I also spray compressed air into the flame chamber. Put it all back and I get complete burn again.

DO NOT adjust the air/fuel mixture. If you decide to, make sure to scratch a reference line into the parts, to be able to put it back were you started.

As for temperature issues. They are always hot. You an buy an adjustable temperature/thermostat sensor. What some people do is crack open the bypass valve, to let a little bit of cool water to temper the hot water.

[JeremyH]

Thank you all, great tips! I'll be back at the TT Friday and will report back

[TCNashville]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

Every- time I have experienced the black soot up the side of the TT, it has been due to spider nests. Spiders LOVE the smell of propane. Pull the flame tube out and clean it. I also spray compressed air into the flame chamber. Put it all back and I get complete burn again.

DO NOT adjust the air/fuel mixture. If you decide to, make sure to scratch a reference line into the parts, to be able to put it back were you started.

X2. This usually isn't a gas/fuel mixture problem but a blockage in the burner tube problem.

[JFlightRisk]

If you're by a lake, you have spiders. Battled them for 10 years with a previous TT that was stationary next to one. It only takes one or two spider web threads in the tube to mess up the flame.

[Tavtracks]

I had a hard time lighting. It lit but noticed black soot and even a flame in exhaust tube
????

[Tavtracks]

I have a 2017 Hummingbird atwood water heater. Tried to light this weekend
It took a few tries then Black soot and even a flame in exhaust ?? Is this crazy?
Mark

[damammel]

No it’s not crazy. If there’s a blockage in the U-tube of the heater it could cause that. Also if the burner tube is blocked.

Atwood Water Heater Troubleshooting