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Topic: Water Heater "Stuttering" (Read 139 times) previous topic - next topic
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Water Heater "Stuttering"
My water heater is usually turned off. I only turn it on when I want to take a shower - once or twice a week.

For some time now, the water heater starts to heat (to burn) when I turn it on, but then stops heating again after some seconds. Then I hear the tick-tick-tick and the heater turns back on. This repeats several times before the heater stays on - but even then it can be interrupted later by a short timeout (and the tick-tick-tick). So far it always turned out to be ok (and the water hot), but I guess that could change anytime.

Is this a known symptom and does it point to a part that is on the brink of failing and that can be replaced by me?

Thanks!

PS: On a positive note, the water heater always turns off when I turn it off! In this respect, no complaints. :)
2001 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: Water Heater "Stuttering"
Reply #1 –
Are you doing the routine maintenance for the water heater?  Flushing it of deposits, brushing the heating element and sparking device?
2013 31' Silver Twin Bed
Semi-retired 6/21....
Re: Water Heater "Stuttering"
Reply #2 –
Hi  Klaus;  It sounds to me like a gas delivery problem; detecting the flame.  That would be an out of place thermocouple problem, or maybe the flame is in a slightly different location.  Does the flame sound normal, when it is working, the way it always has?
   The easiest possibility is that the thermal switch that tells the water heater it is at the proper temperature and shuts off the flame normally, has a 'dirty' connection at the control board. This will make your flame go out momentarily, and when it reconnects soon after it turned off the flame and your ignition cycle resumes, as if you had used some water and cold water has entered the tank. You can pull the spade slide off electrical connection off of the switch, and reconnect it.  That 'wipes' the possible corrosion off, re-establishes a good connection, and might fix this problem. The switch itself could be going bad. Has the shutoff temperature been drifting around lately? Too cool one time, then hotter than normal sometimes?  
    Are you at a different altitude than normal? Do you adjust the mixture sleeve to accommodate different altitudes?  The flame will 'roar' loudly if there is too much air in the mix, and you will have a 'lazy' yellow flame with production of a lot of soot, if there isn't enough propane gas.    Here is a description:  https://www.rvtravel.com/rv-water-heater-wont-stay-lit-rver-asks-for-help/     The web has lots of resources for this situation.  edit:  another resource mentioned that the 'high limit switch' could also be opening prematurely and cause this same problem. So again check the wiring connections both at the switches and where the wires attach at the control board.     RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Water Heater "Stuttering"
Reply #3 –
Quote from: Klaus  - 
For some time now, the water heater starts to heat (to burn) when I turn it on, but then stops heating again after some seconds. Then I hear the tick-tick-tick and the heater turns back on. This repeats several times before the heater stays on

Check the adjustment of the air mix tube - if the flame is loud, too much air, yellow in the flame, too little. This can require a touch-up too if you recently changed altitude...

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Water Heater "Stuttering"
Reply #4 –
If it starts and shuts down right away, I would first clean the flame sensor. It might be the same as the spark igniter all in one, at any rate they get dirty and wont prove flame. A small wire brush is your friend just be careful and don't change the gap. Clean it up and I'll bet it works. Your furnace can have the same problem but it's much more difficult to access.

Jon


1994 MB