Water at burner tube and random hard starts water heater.

[mdsjohna]

What would cause water to drip from the burner tube as shown in the picture. It isn’t dripping from the pressure relief and no where else it is wet that I can see. At first I noticed that sometimes the burner would go to light and it would seem to “blow” itself out. I’ll try to get a video of that. I adjusted the air opening down a little because it seemed too high and tried to pipe clean out the tube a little bit it hasn’t seemed to help. I now notice this water seeming to leak right from the tube. When it lights it seems fine.

[mdsjohna]

Could this purely be condensation? I tend to turn the heater on and off depending on what usage will be. I guess the whole area can heat up then cool down causing condensation to build up in the tube causing the hard starts?

[Neal B]

Are you getting any water from the larger burning tube that is in the tank?

[Ljwt330]

The symptom you describe of the burner lighting and seemingly "blowing itself out", may be the igniter/flame sensor is having an issue and the signal to the control board is interrupted causing the main valve to shut down. Cleaning the igniter tip and adjacent ground, making sure the igniter is properly aligned, and all connections are solid may solve this problem.


As for the water, I believe it's condensation as well. The location is where the vaporized propane enters the burner tube and bit of expansion of the vapor as it is reduced to ambient pressure could cause a cooling effect on the metal tube. If you are in a humid area, condensation may take place. When the burner is on, the tube is gradually heated by conduction and no condensation takes place. That's my take on this, but Old-Biscuit will likely solve this situation.


I'd suggest you check your burner flame and double check the air gap. It was factory set for optimum burn. You want a clean, blue flame.

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by Ljwt330

The symptom you describe of the burner lighting and seemingly "blowing itself out", may be the igniter/flame sensor is having an issue and the signal to the control board is interrupted causing the main valve to shut down. Cleaning the igniter tip and adjacent ground, making sure the igniter is properly aligned, and all connections are solid may solve this problem.


As for the water, I believe it's condensation as well. The location is where the vaporized propane enters the burner tube and bit of expansion of the vapor as it is reduced to ambient pressure could cause a cooling effect on the metal tube. If you are in a humid area, condensation may take place. When the burner is on, the tube is gradually heated by conduction and no condensation takes place. That's my take on this, but Old-Biscuit will likely solve this situation.


I'd suggest you check your burner flame and double check the air gap. It was factory set for optimum burn. You want a clean, blue flame.

Ding, ding, ding..........chicken dinner

[mdsjohna]

So I had a chance to take everything apart. Burner tube was clean, but the gap for the igniter was off, I adjusted it to 1/8”, it also seemed it wasn’t in the flame area enough so I adjusted that a bit. Also tried to center the flame diffuser a little better. So far it’s been firing up perfect. I think I was getting intermittent “delayed ignition” because it would actually send out a puff of air when it ignited but then it would just turn off and try again. The thermo cut off seems to be bad as just a little tap and it dies if I wiggle it works again. If I remove it and connect power directly to thermostat it works fine. I cleaned the connections so I don’t think it’s that. I’ll replace it. This thing must have been adjusted/built on a Friday afternoon.

I had one more question though I can’t seem to see it addressed on google. I know the issue if there isn’t enough air getting to the flame. Red flame and soot but what is the issue with too much air? Or not really an issue just a louder flame?

[Old-Biscuit]

Too little air..YELLOW lazy flame and soot
Too much air...REALLY LOUD, bright BLUE and extended flame tips


Flame should be BLUE and slight roar.
Typically the air shutter would be open roughly 1/4 (amount of exposed slots)
As shown in YOUR picture