Hot Water Heater

Bummer · 03-26-2006, 02:17 PM

Just returned home from the first outing in my newly purchased used Spirt. I encountered only two problems. #1 Shortly after lighting off the hot water heater I walked around to the back side and found Black Suet coming out of the hot water heater exaust and I could see a small amount of flame down in the exaust. I can't see how a bird or anything else could've gotten down in there to make a nest or anything.
#2 The refrigerator kept tripping the breaker at the box in the CG after about 1 minute on shore power and then would go to LP. I haven't been on top yet to see if birds could have gotten into the vent up there yet. So, before I start tearin' into this thing, I could use all the idea's I can get. Please remember, this unit has been setting for 3 years without hardly any use, and don't leave out the obvious because this is my first self contained RV. Thanks.

Bummer · 03-26-2006, 02:17 PM

Just returned home from the first outing in my newly purchased used Spirt. I encountered only two problems. #1 Shortly after lighting off the hot water heater I walked around to the back side and found Black Suet coming out of the hot water heater exaust and I could see a small amount of flame down in the exaust. I can't see how a bird or anything else could've gotten down in there to make a nest or anything.
#2 The refrigerator kept tripping the breaker at the box in the CG after about 1 minute on shore power and then would go to LP. I haven't been on top yet to see if birds could have gotten into the vent up there yet. So, before I start tearin' into this thing, I could use all the idea's I can get. Please remember, this unit has been setting for 3 years without hardly any use, and don't leave out the obvious because this is my first self contained RV. Thanks.

adjuster · 03-26-2006, 06:14 PM

Well I understand spider like to build webs in the water heater vent pipe and if it has been
seting up for 3 years they could have built a big one. Should be able to clear it out with air presure. Sounds like you have a short in the heating element of the refrigerator, but you might also check for dirt dobber nest or other things that could cause a short.

The other thing on the hot water heater is the gas mixture might be to rich and that would cause a lot of black smoke coming out the vent area. You should be able to tell that by the flame when it lights.

I once had a refrigerator that would run on electrcity but not on gas. I found out the the flue that carried the heat from the burner was partly block and once I cleaned that out it worked great.

**RV Wizard** · 03-27-2006, 12:30 AM

Bummer, you will need to go over all systems to be sure all are ok after a unit has been sitting this long. The problem with the water heater is the fact that there is debris, be it spider webs, mud dobbers, lizrds carcuss, any thing that is not supposed to be in the venturi, (tube from gas valve to burner) and also in the burner box or tube in this case. All this needs to be cleaned out.
The refrigerator, as stated, probably has a short. I would recommend removing the outside vent access cover and visually inspect for the presents of mice or squirel nests. THey can chew up the wiring harness and cause big problems. You will also want to check the furnace for the same debris as the water heater. The air conditioner could have nest in it too. The holding tank valves could leak and the toilet may not hold water in bowl. It may take some effort but it can be brought back around if the damage by rodents is not too bad. Good luck and let us know how you do.