Atwood water heater in a 2002 Adventurer

Nick and Sonia · 02-06-2006, 05:49 PM

Our water heater always worked well until recently. In the gas mode it seems to work only for a few minutes and then shuts off. After about 5 minutes it will reignite but then shuts off again before the water is warmed. If we open the doors to the water heater it seems to work better. Any ideas. The manual says to clean the tube with a flexible wire brush. Where can we get this brush. We were in Home Depot and they didn't seem to have anything that seemed right.

Nick and Sonia · 02-06-2006, 05:49 PM

Our water heater always worked well until recently. In the gas mode it seems to work only for a few minutes and then shuts off. After about 5 minutes it will reignite but then shuts off again before the water is warmed. If we open the doors to the water heater it seems to work better. Any ideas. The manual says to clean the tube with a flexible wire brush. Where can we get this brush. We were in Home Depot and they didn't seem to have anything that seemed right.

"007" · 02-07-2006, 07:55 AM

Nick & Sonia, you may have some spider webs in tube after removing tube run a thin cloth thru tube mark on tube where the air vent opening is so you will have same adjustment. Could be this adjustment isn't open enough if screw is loose.

"007"

John Mc · 02-08-2006, 06:45 AM

The Atwood water heater in our '05 Meridian worked for the first two weekend trips we took after we got the MH, but then started doing exactly what you describe. I have been over it several times, cleaning and adjusting but no help. I've taken it to the dealer three times, and each time it has worked fine for them, but the next time we use it, it still doesn't work. I give them credit in that since they didn't find a problem they couldn't submit it as waranty, but they never charged me for all of the time they spent trying to find the problem.
Anyway, we are getting ready to go out again so I'll see if it works or not.

"007" · 02-08-2006, 06:58 AM

Some other thing you can check is your battery and gnd connections for looseness and corrosion at connecting points. This could also be back at your 12v fuse block loose screw both points from vibration.

"007"

3huskies · 02-08-2006, 07:06 AM

Also check your connections on the circuit board which could also be bad. Most good rv shops have a circuit board tester.

Tom N · 02-08-2006, 09:02 AM

The Winnebago's water heaters mounted behind a basement door have had problems with air flow to the burner.

Starting in 2006 all units with the heater located behind a basement door have an air slot cut below the heater vent for more air flow.

Tom

DancinCampers · 02-09-2006, 12:12 PM

We have run into similar problems on ours. Sometimes works great, but most of the time you can hear it starving for air. Opening the basement door & heater door, it works great. But not a good idea as exhaust heat then hits edge of basement door.

I think it has to do with the air baffle design. Some air is directed back into the exhaust gas, & some is supposed to go down toward the main burner. I think too much air is being diverted into the exhaust gases.

After we get back home I am going to cut a rectangular hole in the bottom of the heater case below the main burner (it is open to the bottom of the coach), & see if this helps. If it doesn't help, I can just cover the hole back up.

It is so bad at times that the burner will go into rapid relight, you can hear it stop, restart, stop & restart.

Tom N · 02-09-2006, 01:43 PM

I suggest you look at a 2006 Winnebago and cut the same louvered slot the factory is using on the new models to eliminate the water heater combustion problem.

Tom