water heater problem

[Stefrobrts]

I got brave enough to go light my furnace and water heater to test them out (first time since the PO showed me how), and managed to do it with only one small incident where nobody got hurt but we all gained a little more respect for propane! However, once I got the water heater going, I was reading the manual and I see it says a noisy blue flame indicates too much air, and I should adjust the 'air shutter'. It is a very noisy blue flame, but I have no idea what the air shutter is. Can anyone clue me in?

[thenewkid64]

Stephanie,

I recently learned this from Fred Hind's ( we did adjustments at Mystic Springs for the vrey reason you mention).

Light the heater, you know how to do that now. Then there is a slotted tube on the main gas inlet. There should be a screw, loosen it. Then slide the slotted tube (shutter) left or right to adjust the air/propane mix. The tube I am describing runs from the thermostat into the hole in the heater.

It should be mostly blue with a little yellow on the tips and no roar.

[Stefrobrts]

Ok, I finally got back to working on the water heater. The tube that goes into the hole is rusty, so I wirebrushed the rust off as best I could. Problem is, the screw that holds the air shutter in place is also rusted down. Is it ok to use a penetrant to try and loosen it up? Seeing as how it's so close to where the flame will be, I wasn't sure if it was a good idea to be spraying flammable penetrating oil there, though I will certianly try not to use any more than necessary.

(Of course, it's not lit now, I'm just worried about residule on the tube after I get the shutter moving and want to light it again.)

[Stefrobrts]

My husband tinkered with it until the screw came loose, and got the shutter moving again. I think I have it right now, at least we have hot water! We also lit the fridge and the stove and oven. I think we're finally ready for the rally :-)

[RichardT]

Also if your tube is rusty on the outside, it is rusty on the inside Remove tube and use a round brush on the inside too, or at least shake it out, I just cleaned one and found about a golf ball worth of rust and debris, if it clogs you can have a fire start at the air holes, and That can be a really, really bad thing. SO CLEAN IT Out!