Bradford White Gas Water Heater Randomly Stops Working

[fredmpers]

I bought a manufactured home 40 gal gas water heater from Lowes. A plumbing company installed a Bradford White RG2MH40T6X on 18 Oct 2022. Here is the series of events that have since ensued as best as I can recall:

• The plumbing company returned after I complained that after a few days the water heater was putting out only warm water and for not too long. Tech said that he thought that sediment got stuck in the orifice and he was able to blow it out by removing the gas regulator cap and pushing the piston in which he says forces more gas to flow. He say when he did that, he heard a whoosh and when he observed the burner, it looked normal. He said before he did that, the burned looked like it wasn't getting enough gas.
  
• City came out to do the permit inspection and I mentioned that I had smelled whiffs of gas in the area of the water heater. It is located outside my home in a closet that is part of the home. The inspector also smelled gas and so she said I should have SDGE come out. She didn't sign off the permit.
  
• Gas company came out and could find no leaks. SDGE tech said he thought the water heater was putting out half the BTUs it should. He was taken aback when he saw that the water heater was a propane water heater but I told him it can be converted for natural gas. Smell wasn't present. It kind of comes and goes.
  
• City came back out and signed off the permit.
  
• The plumbing company returned after I again complained that the water heater was putting out only warm water and for not too long. Before the tech arrived, I looked at the burner and sure enough it looked anemic. Same problem, same solution.
  
• I can't remember if they had to come out again for the same problem but they finally said that sediment in the gas line was the problem. They suggested I have gas company come out to check the filters in their meter.
  
• Gas company comes out and checks the gas pressure at the water heater. No problem. He observes that the burner flame doesn't look right. Like the water heater is set for propane maybe. He suggests having the water heater gas valve repaired/replaced. He checks the gas meter and finds no problems. He's skeptical about sediment clogging the orifice. He say there is a sediment trap in the line at the water heater and the gas line is looped high so it would be difficult for anything to get to the water heater.
  
• Since I now know the fix, I get the water heater working again but the problem continues to return. The plumbing company now refuses to come out. They say the problem is sediment in the gas line after the meter. They offer to blow out the line for a fee of course. I told them I'd think about it.
  
• Currently the problem persists. Every morning I check the hot water. If it's hot, great, I can jump in the shower. If it's not, I have to go out and pump that little piston to get it going again.

Can anybody advise me as to what I should do at this point?

Thanks
Fred

 

[breplum]

What piston, pic please. Pushing piston is bs. You should contact the Mfr and claim defect...they should provide warranty service.
Also, make one last oral and written request to the installers, and if no remedy, file a complaint with CSLB and make a claim on their bond for refund.
If you live on a hillside and you are on the low end of the hill, I have seen moisture build up inside the pipe to the point that all flames in the dwelling are anemic.

 

[SHEPLMBR]

They make natural gas water heaters. I would not think it would be convertible

 

[Twowaxhack]

Defective gas control or burner.

Possible gas line issue or wrong gas for the unit.


Get a qualified person to determine the problem before you end up dead. No BS.

 

[MicEd69]

He was taken aback when he saw that the water heater was a propane water heater but I told him it can be converted for natural gas.

First, does the water heater show that the burner can be converted to Natural Gas or indicate it is a dual fuel capable burner? Second, did you see the service tech change out the orifices to larger ones which would be required to change from propane to Natural Gas.

Contact the manufacturer IMMEDIATELY to confirm that this model can be converted to use Natural Gas. Like Twowaxhack implied, this is a situation that should not be treated lightly. And as breplum said, pushing a piston is BS!

 

[TomFOhio]

If I'm not mistaken you have to change the gas control valve if converting. I believe the burner nut is left hand threads on propane. If
it was me I would buy a water heater either for nat gas or propane. None of this converting. I'm not sure if i'm reading your post right
but do you have natural gas or propane. Just make sure you have the correct water heater. The rating plate says either natural or propane.