Suburban water heater - doesn't do anything in gas mode

[patriot07]

Well, went to test it at the storage unit tonight, and both gas and electric fired right up....

No idea what to do now...

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by patriot07

Well, went to test it at the storage unit tonight, and both gas and electric fired right up....

No idea what to do now...

Start at the on/off switch to junction box to set of t-stats to circuit board CHECKING all wire connections
Making sure the the wire crimps/spades/wire nuts are TIGHT and that the connection at circuit board is clean/tight

Check GROUND connections

Intermittent issues are typically bad connections/loose connections

It didn't cure itself so it will fail again

[patriot07]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Start at the on/off switch to junction box to set of t-stats to circuit board CHECKING all wire connections
Making sure the the wire crimps/spades/wire nuts are TIGHT and that the connection at circuit board is clean/tight

Check GROUND connections

Intermittent issues are typically bad connections/loose connections

It didn't cure itself so it will fail again

Yeah, I looked at all the wires I could see. I will need to cut the caulk and remove the unit to check much else, and I was hoping to avoid that.

Also, my propane flame area is very, very rusty. I'm wondering how big of a deal that is? Should I just replace the unit?

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by patriot07

Yeah, I looked at all the wires I could see. I will need to cut the caulk and remove the unit to check much else, and I was hoping to avoid that.

Also, my propane flame area is very, very rusty. I'm wondering how big of a deal that is? Should I just replace the unit?

Do you NOT have access to the rear of water heater?

Rusty burner area....
What is rusty?
The burner tube
The Combustion Chamber
Can you post a picture of it??

[patriot07]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Do you NOT have access to the rear of water heater?

Rusty burner area....
What is rusty?
The burner tube
The Combustion Chamber
Can you post a picture of it??

No I don't have access to the rear of the unit.

Here is the area that's rusty. It's worse under the divider, but I couldn't get a good picture in the dark.

[Old-Biscuit]

Burner and spark electrode look ok
The flame divider part is BADLY rusted .....lots of moisture accumulated in/on that area.
Suburban had some issues with 'leaks' from over penetration at welds for that divider plate

4/5 yr old WH shouldn't be that rusted up W/O some leaking going on **Rest of unit doesn't show signs of rusting

[patriot07]

Gotcha - so should I just replace the whole unit due to the rust and hope that fixes the electrical problem?