RV’s Sidewall above water heater melting... 2018 Intent 26M

[Wyatt-WO]

Does anybody else have any issue with their gas water heater exhaust being hot enough to cause a...how could I describe this, a “wave” or uneven surface to the sidewall above the water heater vent?

 

[al1florida]

Nope. We have had 6 RV's with gas water heaters have not experienced the problem.

I wonder if you have an obstruction in the exhaust allowing the heat to build up and overheat the exhaust tube. Wasps like to get in there and build a nest. They make screens to cover the exit pipe.

 

[Wyatt-WO]

Nope. We have had 6 RV's with gas water heaters have not experienced the problem.

I wonder if you have an obstruction in the exhaust allowing the heat to build up and overheat the exhaust tube. Wasps like to get in there and build a nest. They make screens to cover the exit pipe.

Thanks, No bugs, just a bug screen. That probably blocked the air flow, or, we just left it on too long? We be had this rig for over a year, and it just happened on our last trip.

How long can you run these things?

 

[al1florida]

Thanks, No bugs, just a bug screen. That probably blocked the air flow, or, we just left it on too long? We be had this rig for over a year, and it just happened on our last trip.

How long can you run these things?

You can run them forever. It only takes about 20-25 minutes on gas to heat the water and then the gas flame turns off. You can also run the water heater for about 10-15 minutes and then turn it off, to get the water hot enough for a couple of showers or to wash dishes.

 

[IdahoNuke]

We have the same problem. In fact, this water heater has been nothing but problems. I am thinking of putting some kind of shield above the water heater. The side of the trailer gets too hot to touch, probably 150 F or more.

 

[RayIN]

My MH has the original water heater, no heat damage to anything. Perhaps this is one reason RV water heater mfgrs. state not to use bug screens in the owners manual.

 

[Wyatt-WO]

My MH has the original water heater, no heat damage to anything. Perhaps this is one reason RV water heater mfgrs. state not to use bug screens in the owners manual.

The interesting thing is the bug screens are still there, and it hasn’t happened again in the last four years…

 

[RayIN]

The interesting thing is the bug screens are still there, and it hasn’t happened again in the last four years…

That lends credence to reply #2/al1inflorida's suggestion, wasp/mud-dabber nest in LP chimney. The WH chimney is a sideways U-shape from burner to exhaust- outlet through water tank.

 

[Bnystrom]

The interesting thing is the bug screens are still there, and it hasn’t happened again in the last four years…

The mesh on the bug screens we have isn't fine enough to create any restriction on the exhaust flow. It doesn't seem likely that's the issue.
How does the flame look? It should be blue and pretty consistent. If it orange and/or flickering a lot, you need to increase the airflow. That's typically just a matter of sliding the slotted tube until you get the correct flame.