Propane Hot Water Heater problem

[McCampers]

I can not get my hot water heater to heat the water.  I can get it to light the pilot and start to burn to heat the water, but then it shuts off too quickly to heat the water.  I messed with it all weekend and I still can't get it to work.  I tried letting it sit and changing the thermstat temperature.  Nothing seemed to make any difference.  Any ideas?

[wavery]

I can not get my hot water heater to heat the water.  I can get it to light the pilot and start to burn to heat the water, but then it shuts off too quickly to heat the water.  I messed with it all weekend and I still can't get it to work.  I tried letting it sit and changing the thermstat temperature.  Nothing seemed to make any difference.  Any ideas?

Sounds like a defective thermostat

[fourgonefishn]

Sounds like a defective thermostat

 Check for spider webs and don't know if there is a thermo-coupler but that could be the problem also. We have to replace them yearly on our heater and hot water heater at our cabin every year.

[PattieAM]

My Suburban propane water heater is very difficult to light/keep lit/burning if all air is not purged from the propane lines.  To do this, I will boil a pan of water on the range for a minimum of 5 minutes (and you will see all kinds of colors in the flame initially).

***Another very important thing I learned -- when turning on the gas valve at the tank, turn the valve S L O W L Y, or it's safety features on the tank won't release the gas necessary to operate any appliance.***

With button on water heater turned to pilot - press down and hold down while lighting the pilot on the right rear of water heater.  I keep holding even after lit for a count of 30 or so to allow the pilot to heat the thermocouple.

Once it stays lit, turn the valve to 'on' and it should fire up - and it only takes about 15 minutes for the water in the tank to heat.

Then the flame will go out, but the pilot should remain on - once the water cools or you've drawn off hot water, it should fire up again as needed.

My owners manual tells me:  
-Do not allow main burner to burn with yellow flame - sooting will occur.  Obtain professional servie.
-Pilot flame should engulf the tip of the thermocouple - correct as needed.
-Inspect unit for soot - if soot is present anywhere on water heater, shut down and contact dealer of qualified serice person.  Soot is a sign of incomplete comustion and must be corrected before operating water heater (check for obstruction in burner or flue box, screen in the door)