Last evening I heard the above model water heater spin up and shutdown 3 times in quick succession. Sure enough, it was displaying the ignition/flame sensor code this morning on the temperature control. If I power-cycled it, it did the same thing again -- I could hear the burner ignite briefly but it would just cut off within 1-2 seconds and then retry.
Looking at the burner through the viewport during the ignition attempt, I didn't see anything odd except that it looks like the tank or casing may be flaking material that is sprinkled across the floor of the burner compartment. The air intake openings at at the bottom of the water heater were clear and no debris visible.
Thinking that the water heater is 13 years old and I was likely going to have to replace it anyway (and today is a holiday, so prospect of no hot water for a few days), I figured I would try a complete "Hail Mary" of sorts. I got out my electric leaf blower and pulsed it at maximum speed a few times at each air intake opening. Eureka!! Upon restarting, the burner stayed lit on the first attempt and completed a heating cycle.
This seems to suggest that the burner was possibly obstructed by debris and either altering the flame pattern or blocking the flame sensor and I managed to dislodge it temporarily. I was wondering if it seems worthwhile to have the burner inspected and cleaned properly (and possibly replace other low-hanging fruit like flame sensor or igniter at same time) or I am better off just replacing it given its age. Also, do you think it's OK to operate in the meantime?
Looking at the burner through the viewport during the ignition attempt, I didn't see anything odd except that it looks like the tank or casing may be flaking material that is sprinkled across the floor of the burner compartment. The air intake openings at at the bottom of the water heater were clear and no debris visible.
Thinking that the water heater is 13 years old and I was likely going to have to replace it anyway (and today is a holiday, so prospect of no hot water for a few days), I figured I would try a complete "Hail Mary" of sorts. I got out my electric leaf blower and pulsed it at maximum speed a few times at each air intake opening. Eureka!! Upon restarting, the burner stayed lit on the first attempt and completed a heating cycle.
This seems to suggest that the burner was possibly obstructed by debris and either altering the flame pattern or blocking the flame sensor and I managed to dislodge it temporarily. I was wondering if it seems worthwhile to have the burner inspected and cleaned properly (and possibly replace other low-hanging fruit like flame sensor or igniter at same time) or I am better off just replacing it given its age. Also, do you think it's OK to operate in the meantime?
