Water Heater - Black Sooty Exhaust

Hi - During a month-long camping trip, I noticed my water heater exhaust was pretty sooty, requiring a cleanup outside the trailer by the exhaust every couple of days. The manual says to 'adjust the flue'. Has anybody got experience with that?

Thanks! Stan
 

hoefler

Well-known member
You hve a gas rich condition. Most likely you have a spider web or mud dauber's nest in the burner some where. If you are handi, remove the burner and inspect inside it and the burner tube. Clean out what ever you may find, re-assemble and test out. If you are not handi or comfortable with the task, seek a professional.
 

newbie

Northern Virginia
And it doens't take much of a blockage in the venturi tube to cause the sooting. Last year the side of my dads motor home got sooty above the water heater panel. The cob web in the venturi tube was so small my dad was convinced there was another problem. But after cleaning the tube, it worked perfectly (and soot free).

John
 
Top