Water heater propane orifice went bad...

[GiGi-HILO]

just shoots out an orange wide flame. Any recommendations where to get a new unit - probably the regulator too I would imagine (if that's what it's called haha). 1987 Fun Maker here

 

[retiredcamper47]

If water heater hasn't been used in awhile, the orange flame could be rust burning that built up on the orifices. Propane pressure could be another thing to check out. Does the stove top burn blue?

Bob

 

[GiGi-HILO]

Hi Bob! Yes, stove flame and oven are both blue. Fridge works on propane as well. It has obviously had a problem for some time because the knobs on the water heater thermostat control are melted some. And there is a lot of black soot inside where the flame comes burns high. We took the orifice out, cleaned it and it didn't change anything. Adjusted the air mixture. Nada. We can't figure out how to get that thermostat unit out if we find a replacement LOL. It looks to be the same off of an older water heater. Not sure if it unscrews off of the pipe in the back? A little fearful of putting large channel locks on the thermostat twisting it and breaking the pipe off. Has anyone changed that before and if so, any tips are much appreciated

 

[sam-HILO]

Water heater trouble shooting

I have not had to do this repair. You could try looking up your model/make of water hearter on the internet. It would be helpful to have an exploded parts diagram. Some times they come with a trouble shooting guide. Next suggestion call Jay at Mantelli trailer sales. He is an expert on HiLOS/parts.1-716-625-8877.

 

[JIM L-HILO]

The burner section of most gas applances can collect dead bugs, wasp nest, spider web etc. These obstructions will screw up the flame mixture. Have never had a problem with my hot water heaters so not sure what the burner section looks like. Normally when you have this problem you need to run a bottle type brush thru the burner tube then vacuum out the tube. Camping world sells a brush for this. On most gas burners there is normally an adjustable means to adjust the mixture of air and gas and this will change the color that the gas burns and the temp of the gas. Download the manual of the hot water heater and that will help.

 

[JackandJanet]

Your problem with the flame color and pattern sounds just like the problem I had with our propane patio heater after a spider decided the tubing to the burner looked like a cozy cave for its nest. It took me a long time to get it clean enough to burn normally. I had to take the whole thing apart to do it too.

The flame burned very yellow and the flame front was kind of "lazy" looking, with long flame "fingers". Very sooty burning too.

I'm crossing my fingers that the water heater, furnace and refrigerator in my HiLo doesn't ever look inviting to our 8-legged friends. And, I have no clue how I could ever "spider-proof" those areas.

- Jack

 

[GiGi-HILO]

So, I ended up converting the propane water heater to all electric. Took just over an hour (thank you neighbor!) and works like a champ - no leaks and HOT water. I have a generator, so dry camping won't be an issue if I don't have hook ups. Pretty happy about that decision

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and replies. On to the next issue haha.