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Old 08-29-2015, 07:16 AM   #1
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soot above hot water heater

I have soot on the outside of my trailer above the heater. What does this mean?Can't figure out how to attach photo on this dang phone app.
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Old 08-29-2015, 07:25 AM   #2
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Soot above the water heater vent indicates too rich combustion, just like a car with a sooty tailpipe. Check to make sure there are no critter nests in the burner tube, or vent, then adjust the mixture sleeve.
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Old 08-29-2015, 07:28 AM   #3
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Look for a nice blue flame at the water heater, little or no yellow. There is a sliding tube that has vents on the side to adjust the richness of the flame. Loosen the screw and slide the tube to get a cleaner blue flame, less soot.
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Old 08-29-2015, 08:42 AM   #4
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If you're camping at different altitudes, you must adjust the fuel/air mix as per dkottum's post.
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Old 08-29-2015, 10:02 AM   #5
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I fight a never-ending battle for internal vent space in the water heater with the spiders at the camp where Henri lives.

Seriously, it used to be once or twice a season, but this year I need to blow them out with compressed air every few weeks.

If you do this too, don't forget to stand aside when you fire the air can. Sooty pants are not a positive fashion note this season.
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Old 08-29-2015, 11:09 AM   #6
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I fight a never-ending battle for internal vent space in the water heater with the spiders at the camp where Henri lives.

Seriously, it used to be once or twice a season, but this year I need to blow them out with compressed air every few weeks.

If you do this too, don't forget to stand aside when you fire the air can. Sooty pants are not a positive fashion note this season.
I ended up with a face full of flambeed wasps when a water heater lit off and blew them all over me. That was more fun than a root canal...
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Old 08-29-2015, 11:18 AM   #7
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Interesting reading here,

http://wbccicaravan.wbcci.net/files/...our-rv-iii.pdf
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Old 08-29-2015, 12:02 PM   #8
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When I noticed soot I also smelled propane, the regulator didn't completely turn off the gas.I could light the gas with a lighter. I replaced the regulator with a match from Amazon. All is normal now.


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Old 08-29-2015, 02:07 PM   #9
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water heater problems might be frequent this year

I've had several people mention spiders this year. Folks are noticing more, bigger, and more scarier looking spiders.

I thought that I had stumbled into a bank robbery. People running, screaming and grabbing their kids. Then I realized that the commotion was due to a big, ugly looking, monster spider in the middle of the lobby. I have witnessed a few others as well, in my yard.

I usually let spiders be, because they serve a purpose in pest control. Now I leave them alone because they creep me out.

Don't know if monster spiders will be making homes in water heaters. Just an observation, and a heads up…….( be brave )
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Old 08-29-2015, 02:44 PM   #10
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Spiders outside are good, inside if seen have forfeited their short life.
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