Adjusting the flame of an RV water heater

www.RVdoctor.com Gary Bunzer, the RV Doctor, shows you how to adjust the flame on your RV water heater so that it runs with maximum efficiency. Keep up with the latest news, information and advice about RVing at rvtravel.com .
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[@Charlieshomeimprovement]

RV guy... You just saved the day. my HWT wouldn't stay running. Making this crazy roaring sound. I took the local RV shop's advice and replaced the gas valve, still no better. All I just did was remove the factory screw and adjusted the air alittle more and presto! Running like a dream! You saved me an 85$ service call plus what ever parts they would have told me are defective. Thank you

[@Trevoc2]

I am surprised that our of six thousand views, no one even said "thanks" . Reminds me when years ago when I had my own home appliance business, I used to reply to emails on how to repair appliances...I did this at no charge, and NEVER once got a thank you. So... Thanks RV Doctor !!

[@teriluna1855]

Thank you! Seeing the flame and hearing it on the video makes all the difference. On my brand new water heater, first time used on gas, I had a huge yellow flame that came all the way out through the exhaust and black soot like crazy. I did the air adjustment, no change. After watching another video, I used a compressed air canister and stuck the tip in that air adjustment hole aiming toward the burner tube and blew it out, then blew out the burner compartment where that flame burns, all with the gas off. That did it, adjusted the air like you said, and voile! worked great! Thanks again.

[@mikesevoian9807]

Hi Teri, mine is doing that same thing. What was the other video you are talking about to that fixes the big yellow flame coming out?

[@SynteconlineAuSupplements]

Easy to use right out the box kzbin.infoUgkxAvrAfikbUEMthp3AZ6iX5FKdiHfzy_RP . Next step is to get a heat activated fan to move the heat. I'm impressed by how long it can go on 1 lbs of propane at the low setting which lasted more than 6hrs. You'll have to adjust it lower than the low setting. Used for personal heating at 30° to 50° at low setting in an open garage, it's quite comfortable. It would warm up a good size single car garage if its closed off.

[@bobmckeown1126]

NIght and day difference! My replacement water heater was set as it came in from the factory. I had no idea it needed tweaking right out of the box. As the presenter says, it's almost silent about 5-7 feet from the heater. Before, we'd have to turn it off when we sat outside. Thank you!

[@ginnymiller2448]

Thanks so much for this video, it was very helpful! I have a water heater that looks identical to the one shown here. After switching propane tanks last night, the flame started behaving very badly, sputtering and backfiring, being very noisy. After watching this video, I think it was not adjusted right in the first place, and changing propane tanks set it off for some reason. While working on this, I found a mud dauber nest in the exhaust tube that I didn't know was there. That was fun to get out. I fished it out with a bar spoon, of all things. Everything runs great now, and water heater is much quieter!

[@timabrahamson3201]

Thanks so much for this video and actually identifying the root cause of my flame sputter. Like most people, I cleaned everything and even checked for water in the gas line but it still sputtered. Then I ran across your video and your fix worked! I would add that if you restrict the air even more, the flame turns yellow which is not correct either. It should always be nice solid blue, quietly burning flame.

[@chrispy104k]

This was helpful after 10 years. Thanks indeed.

[@keith1542]

my hot water tanks flame was sputtering real bad. Watched your video. Applied what I watched towards my hwh and viola, its fixed. Thank you so much for your video.

[@jayfoster5756]

Thanks, this is exactly what I needed to keep my water heater working - Thanks for sharing!!!

[@amyhonaker2347]

Thank you sooo much!!! Just learning about these things and in 2 min you helped me fix what two me with electrical meters and all kinds of tools that left supposedly to come back the next day with parts to fix.. I got it thank you so much

[@ravenfeather7087]

Just checked mine today and it was a lazy yellow flame. On a different RV several years ago the same thing happened because of a spider web inside the tube. I fixed it but couldn't remember how I did it (I may have disassembled it). This time I bought a can of compressed air (typically used for cleaning computer keyboards), gave it a blast of air and 50 - 100 dead exotic Asian lady beetles were blasted out. Worked fine after that. That same technique might work on spider webs although it might be necessary to turn them into charcoal first.

[@mischabi]

AWESOME TIP! my air intake must be wayyyyy open because it sounds like a harley davidson is in the rv! thaks!

[@MileHighCampers]

Excellent quick tip, now my hot water heater doesn't sound like a freight train! Thanks!😎✌

[@charlesbowen7009]

Thanks buddy! You're a life saver.

[@colew.5956]

Thanks for this! I just fixed mine with this tip. Appreciate your Expertise 👍👍👍

[@TheJerryconeal]

Thank YOU!!!!! for the tips on water heater! Please give us tips on RV Furnace and AC combined thermostats wiring why would a 2 AMP fuse blow when switching from AC to Heat. Does the wiring run through the roof? I have had a rubber roof replaced and was told by repairman that a nail or screw went through the Thermostat wiring from the thermostat to the control box at the front AC unit. All the units were working fine prior to roof replacement. A Jumper thermostat wire was used to start AC

[@rogerdennison8154]

The question is: HOW MUCH of a ROAR do you want? I’ve been having issues with my mine cutting out and not combusting properly ( tell tale soot on screen) We’re camping at 7000’ and my gut tells me I got to open it up more to counter the thinner air. 🤷🏼‍♂️ However, no issues with stove or furnace and, AFAIK, the fridge.

[@Tennethums1]

Fucking THANKYOU! sheesh, you don't know how hard it is to find a video like this. We bought an immaculate, used, '99 Coachmen Catalina and we tried getting the water heater going last night for the first time. It sounded like a jet engine and sputtered something fierce. Just watching your video here at work (lunch - ha!) and that adjustable tube you show is all the way open on ours. We did notice last night that when we shut the door it got better but not perfect. Can't wait to get home and close it some! I'm sure it will do the trick!

[@alpinehs]

Great basic and information. Thanks for share

[@johnnyohness]

Question on a RV I bought recently I find that no matter how I adjust the air control as you showed, the flame still is yellow and puts out a strong fume. Could it be something is obstructing the gas flow? Adjusting the air flow doesn't seem to make any difference. There is a adjustable screw on the face of the control on the right side. What does that do?

[@BSmokeyCampingSmith]

Great tip but this is only for a Atwood water heater, what or how is there any adjustment with a suburban water heater?? Suburban heaters do not have any adjustments like this, they have a solid burner tube.

[@terrysmiles8599]

You will not believe it so like i said mine has no flame adjuster And that's why it does not work....so i made one of my own and use Tin foil and sure enough it started right up...Guess i better get ordering one lol thanks your video was god sent!

[@stevemoores3265]

thanks, mine is orange and spluttering, going to give this a go.

[@butlerjames1974]

Hi Gary, can you tell me how to turn up the flame output on the water heater? I have a White Rodgers unit. I tried to light the pilot and the flame is really weak. Please help! Thanx in advance. -James

[@christinewilson7617]

Thank you. Your videos are very helpful. My heater is burning with a very yellow flame, but the brass pipe just goes right in without the adjusting sleeve on yours. Any advice?

[@Cutter-jx3xj]

Thanks, was a huge help

[@darcystroud4329]

Thank you for this video. My problem is..When I adjust the flame, and it's running good, When I close the panel it goes out???? Any suggestions?

[@Newchannel9o6]

Question: Does the pilot light stay lit all the time, or only lit just in use?

[@TexCynRVLife]

Thank you very much! I keep trying to learn - this I did not know about.

[@coolperson484]

i tried to light my water heater (its older with a pilot light) and after about five mins of it heating the flame started coming out of the air intake... can you tell me what is wrong.

[@BSmokeyCampingSmith]

As for any adjustment on temp you will need to have an older unit ( older than 1998) as this is when the law went in for the temp to be set at 120 degrees, so if you have a newer one ( and maybe older with an rv) you most likely can not change to temp ( sorry )

[@kwinthewild3753]

Hello I have an 1989 lynx 5th wheel the pilot light works but the flame will not take you have any tips for me. Thanks KW

[@josephcleberg2287]

I have flame coming out of the adjustment air intake/ No matter how much I cut back the air intake I still have a lazy flame

[@johnr5545]

Thanks god bless

[@shoveljunk-americanpatriot7603]

Does altitude affect this setting?

[@mnnomad1870]

Mine doesn't have the slide just wide open and mostly yellow flame on top🤔

[@lanettemhall]

Thanks much!

[@arriagada1957]

Thanks..!! Good Tip..!!

[@BSmokeyCampingSmith]

Ok a jumper was used did the fuse still blow? And if it did work was there a permanent repair made? As for putting a nail/screw through wiring this is not a new issue in rv's but also stick build homes and cars also, and I say this as to not put all the blame on the company ( it happens)

[@dreamingtree]

Going to try this tomorrow.. I heard my gas roaring from over 20 feet away!

[@ebolawarrior451]

Yeah mine doesn’t have that slide adjuster.

[@packeran417]

thanks i needed that tip

[@kennethleblanc2923]

Where is the switch normally located

[@esmeraldasaucedo1721]

What if the flame is not on?

[@ItsJosh]

Can you adjust the thermostat on these???

[@allycat1521]

Thx

[@jamesbond724]

wht if a flame of fire come out of were the air adjustments at on my waterheater

[@heidihubbard224]

My water heater .awesome aoud boo. Whe. I try tonight it why.? Help

[@memer936]

When I adjust it the flame doesn't change and I am not getting the blue flame but an orange one. Also there like ash where the flame is? Please advice.

[@markmathews5117]

Thanks...

[@TP-vu3tc]

Suburban water heater doesn't have that slide adjustment. Now what?

[@chriscarpenter9153]

I have a 2017 jayco north point fifth wheel and on my thermostat it shows heat but it won’t kick on I’ve tried hitting the rest switch it came on one time and shut off about 5 minutes later now it’s 34 degrees in my trailer help

[@number4861]

Chris Carpenter if it’s still under warranty have jayco or the distributor fix it. If not it’s probably the gas valve not opening or the igniter not firing. Do you hear anything when you try to start up the heat?

[@jesseortega6484]

hi my pilot light in my 96 Layton skyline hot water heater will not stay lit. could you please tell me what to do. thank you Jesse

[@heatherlabatut5843]

I got the same problem

[@JM-yx1lm]

Your thermocoupler is bad. It senses the pilot flame for failure if it goes out. Replace thermocoupler.

[@lindaphillips1549]

My hot water tank will not stay light

[@cristianacosta5478]

My water heater exhaust is staining up the side of my trailer..how do I fix that?

[@rgknowlton1]

That would imply an incomplete burn which produces soot. Adjust the air shutter as shown here to create a more complete burn (ie. stronger cobalt blue flame.).

[@docdata757]

That's an Atwood. The Suburban water heater does not have the adjustable air flow.

[@heatherlabatut5843]

Our gas water heater will light but not stay lit what is wrong with it

[@regi-dsenod5512]

2003 pioneer , HOW DO I lite water pilot

[@daniellentinojr7907]

Good video.. Mine sounds great until I close the panel and then.. A roar.

[@curtismoss3522]

Tech 9nine😊

[@mischabi]

mebbe u shoul lern to spell..hehe!

[@kayakchrispy]

Thank you!!!