Carbon from Water Heater

[tbettes]

After searching this forum I feel lucky my problem is small compared to many. When the water heater lights, the exhaust has some amount of carbon in it, enough to create a trail up the side a few inches after a while. I have tried adjusting the air mix portion of the tube going in but since I am not sure how or what direction to move it, I thought it would be wise to seek the wisdom of the many more experienced people here. How do I adjust the mixture?

Thanks
Tom

[feaster@cox.]

I am also experiencing the carbon buildup and want to join you in asking for information.
--David

[Jammer]

First check for obstructions, spider web, mud dauber, dirt, in the burner tube and flue.

If you are getting carbon then you need more air, so adjust accordingly.

[crazylev]

I just cleaned out a giant nest of something from the burner tube as our WH would not light.

A time before that, we were getting black and smelly soot, also caused by insects residing in gas tube.

After cleaning, all was good.

On our WH there are a whole bunch of screws, some not real easy to get at. Oh, and those screws are not all the same size, so keep track of which hole each screw came from. And on our WH the little metal burner deflector thing at the end of the tube has three holes. Each hole moves the deflector thing away or closer to the end of the tube, so make sure you no which hole that was attached.