Got a issue with the atwood hot water tank. I was getting ready for a trip next weekend and was testing all systems. All seemed to be working except hot water... When I fired it ut all seems normal, heard it click and fire up. 15min - or so started to get hot water. Wift was sitting on couch and saw what appeared to be smoke coming from unit. I opem access door and had heavy soot and there was a flame coming out of the air adjustment slide and this flame was starting to melt the insulation of the wires above it. Turned off the hot water switch and all went out. The main gas burner appeared to turn on but didn't seem to have much pressure and really was orange in color not blue.. Where do I look next ???

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Russell and Donna
1988 33' Barth Regal
Gibson Exhaust, Bilsteins, ipd sway bar

On 9/15, on this topic, John & Irene reported similar symptoms. After a lot of searching, they found spider webs blocking the burner tube. Suggests that step 1 should be to give the burner tube a thorough cleaning, clean up the soot, and try again.

Yellow flame and soot equals insufficient air and/or too much gas.

More than one kind of insect likes the confines of a burner tube. Mud dauber wasps like furnace outlets particularly.

Roy is right...... and whenI found the spider nest and rolled it into a ball, it was 1/4 the size of a BB! I'd looked and blew and all was well , until I pulled a rag through the thing. Buy a 90 deg.C thermal cut-out from Radio Shack for $2 and don't risk burning up your Barth! As Irene would say in Yorkshirese..... Eh'Up Lad, Yur Bloody Lucky yhe Bloomim' works din brn dawn!
Cheers, John

That was it --- thanks guys........ Took it apart and cleaned out a the spider web, spiced new wires in and viola -- hot water...
Its amazing - this unit was used as a spare bedroom during my son's wedding a month ago and all was well. Never expected this to happen.. Agains thanks - saved me a service call and/or a new heater


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Russell and Donna
1988 33' Barth Regal
Gibson Exhaust, Bilsteins, ipd sway bar