Fire Breathing Hot Water Heater

[Janb313]

Took my 5er out from its winter cover to prep for the first trip of the season. All systems seem a go except for the hot water heater. The pilot lights fine (it's an Atwood) but instead of the usual whoosh that sounds like a jet plane taking off I'm getting flame running down the tube and I can see flame in the vent that comes out of the unit! Tried it more than once with the same result. Shut it off and am wondering what I should be looking at first. I'd appreciate any thoughts - I'd prefer not to blow up the trailer or myself!

[Byron Kinnaman]

Spider nests. A lot of propane appliances failures are due to spiders.

Work your way into the burner and look for a generally white spider nest.

[Daniel A.]

My Atwood did the same two years ago and yes it was spiders, cleaned them out and everything is fine.

[Borrego Dave]

Yup, the others got it. Clean it out and get rid of the webs and you should be fine.

[Janb313]

Great! That sounds easier than what I was worrying about. I'll get on it. Thanks.

[Wayne Collins]

The Spiders may have gotten into the "carburator" where the gas jet is inside the little cage that draws in air to mix with the gas./wc

[Herman M Parker]

If you get a very weak flame after you have cleaned out everything the problem is usually very small spiders that have crawled thru the gas orifice and died in the piping. Just pull the orifice and clean the little critters out. This is a ongoing problem here in North Florida.