HWS ignition issue

Mike7

Member
Nov 10, 2011
144
18
18
Hi everyone,

On our first trip in our 16.49.3b and loving it. First few days the gas hot water system would ignite on the first or second go of the igniters engaging but now it either won't light or when it does there is a massive woosh a the gas ignites, sounds like there is too much gas when it does light off.

Any ideas on this? can I tweak or adjust something?

Cheers
Mike
 

Wado

New Member
May 7, 2011
25
3
0
New England
Hi All,

We too just had the same problem on our first extended stay in our 17.56-2OB. Gas HWS coulb be clearly heard trying to ignite with no luck for the mandatory 3 attempts. We would then switch it off and wait a few minutes before trying again. The HWS would then ignite at the third attempt but sometimes immediately extinguish before igniting again (finally). I do not think it was air in the line as the gas stove and Weber were in regular use.

Cheers,

Wado
 

andrea

Active Member
Nov 9, 2011
567
81
28
Brisbane
We were told before lighting the fridge to run the gas through the stove first. Maybe you could try that for the HWS too. We have only ever used the HWS while the fridge has been running on gas so have never had any issues lighting it.
 

Moto Moto

Forum Moderator
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Mar 15, 2011
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The Gong
We have had issues on and off with our HWS on gas. Sometime it works first go, another time it took me an hour of trying until it was finally going:crazy: I haven't had it checked out yet as i have always been able to get it going eventually, i just try a few times then stop for 15min then try again.

The last time i tried was at night time, and the blue flame that shoots out is a bit scarey to say the least, never noticed it before in daylight.

The in-laws Sterling just went in for some warranty issues and when they picked it up there was a new (different) cover and something else was replaced on the HWS even though they did not report any issues with the HWS. Not sure if its is related though.
 

bigman0510

Well-Known Member
Apr 9, 2011
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Moranbah, Queensland, Australia
moranbahweather.com
Had the same issue last weekend.... very scary when you here the woosh!:behindsofa:
Found that with the cover open it would light first time and stay alight, as soon as I closed the cover it sounded like it was struggling for air. My interim solution is to open the cover just a little and stick a little bit of wire through the clip to hold it there. Like everyone else it was working fine the first few times, I will get it fixed next service i think. The only thing I could think of was that I re-aligned the cover (by hand) so it was a little bit close to level on one of our other trips, maybe this contributed????
:boom:
 

achjimmy

Well-Known Member
Jan 24, 2011
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Bit uncanny, our HWS worked for two days on gas then refused to ignite, the ignition light has not even come on. I haven't investigated it yet. I notice Jayco the clowns are still installing a line right past the anode/drain plug making it difficult to get a socket on to remove it! I even sent them a photo of the suburban unit installed on a Kedron where they drilled the line in horizontally allowing acess to the anode/drain.
 

Moto Moto

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Mar 15, 2011
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I have a feeling its a common problem and bigman may have hit the nail on the head with the cover being the problem. The replacement on the Sterling was completely different to the original one.
 

bigman0510

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Apr 9, 2011
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moranbahweather.com
update:
Finally got around to emailing warburton about the HWS issue, Damian emailed back informing me that the product is supplied by coast to coast (like most of the stuf) he gave me their number and 10mins later I have a "new" design HWS cover in the mail.

Number below:
Coast to Coast Sydney – 02 96457600

Cheers,
 

GLX-R

New Member
Mar 9, 2011
37
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Kyneton, Vic
I have a feeling its a common problem and bigman may have hit the nail on the head with the cover being the problem. The replacement on the Sterling was completely different to the original one.

Having had the same problem myself, I can tell you that the cover is the problem. A new cover (which allows more air to get in) is available under warranty for those with problems.

Not sure why it only affects some units.

Mine plays up but I have found that if I turned the switch on in the van, by the time I walked around to the cover, the gas was just firing up. I open the cover and it starts first time. I then let it run for a minute or two and it seems to work fine from then on. Not an ideal solution but it works until the van goes in for it's next service where I will get it replaced.
 

achjimmy

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Jan 24, 2011
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Having had the same problem myself, I can tell you that the cover is the problem. A new cover (which allows more air to get in) is available under warranty for those with problems.

Not sure why it only affects some units.

Mine plays up but I have found that if I turned the switch on in the van, by the time I walked around to the cover, the gas was just firing up. I open the cover and it starts first time. I then let it run for a minute or two and it seems to work fine from then on. Not an ideal solution but it works until the van goes in for it's next service where I will get it replaced.

Anybody post a pic of the revised cover? Ours was sorted last friday and i was told i already had the latter cover. but they adjusted the bottom of the door out a little and it seems to work. Ours also had a weep from the fitting inside the cupboard.
 

bigman0510

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Apr 9, 2011
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ok here are the pics for everyone:
OLD: .................................................................................................NEW:
photo 1.JPGphoto 5.JPG

OLD: ..................................................................................................NEW:
photo 2.JPGphoto 6.JPG

New on the left old on the right.
photo 3.JPGphoto 4.JPG

Hope this helps :becky:
 

chartrock

Forum Patriarch
Staff member
Sep 26, 2010
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Gold Coast Hinterland
Thanks for that, Bigman. I had mine modified when they did some work on the van and all they did was bend the top down so I now have a gaping hole to let the rain straight down onto the flue. After following this thread I rang Coast to Coast yesterday and they are sending me a replacement cover and flue when the next shipment of flues arrive (sometime next week). :thumb:
 

achjimmy

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Jan 24, 2011
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I will need to look but I am sure I have the new style inside part and old lid! Might give them a ring
 

achjimmy

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Jan 24, 2011
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Mine is the old one but I have never had a problem, Should I just leave it do you think?

Its out of warranty though, does that matter?

Cruza my 2 c would be to leave it mate, our old van never missed a beat with the HWS and plenty haven't had a problem. You know what they say about "if it ain't broke "?