Water Heaters - Burner lights and goes out, repeats many times

Just bought this house with a newer (05/2003) Richmond 50 gal power vent water heater. Model # 5VP50E-1. When we had the house inspected the owners had no hot water from this heater. They fixed the water heater, apparently the manufacturer sent out 3 parts to cover everything... gas valve, module, and pilot assy.
The water heater is not operating properly. First the blower comes on, then the pilot lights,and then the burner lights. The burner stays on for 5-15 seconds, then it turns off. Then the pilot lights, and the burner again, and then repeats. This happens for many times and continues for 5-10 minutes. Then the water heater turns off.
I called the manufacturer and they wanted me to check power (24 volts) at the module. Also to check for a vent obstruction and proper vent pipe. They also faxed me some diagnostic/troubleshooting charts. I will be checking this within the next few days, and probably calling the manufacturer back.

Any ideas on this are greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

Steve H.

Hello: Steve.

Doubt seriously any part will correct the problem. Based on the well explained and detailed problem description, the power venting double walled vent is either restricted and or incorrectly assembled and or installed.

Dual walled venting may be allowing air cross over between intake and exhausting systems. Which than creates an air flow condition which abnormally effects the burners flame characteristics. Distorted and or altered flames result which cause smoothering flames which result and or extingush the pilot. A serious condition that needs a pro to correct. Not a customer or produce purchasing/owner consumer.

After 3 cycles, the on board computer shuts down the entire system. Lock up occurrs. Which is a designed in safety feature. Full inspection and any faulty conditions within the power venting system need to be corrected first. No amount of parts replacements will correct the condition.

Venting system faults and or improper conditions, etc. is an area of concern and problem causes often overlooked by some techs. How and why the manufacturer wants you the customer to inspect such is beyond me to explain. Especially when many a tech fails to inspect such themselves or is not required to on repeated services calls for the same problem or condition.

Professional advice. Call the manufacturer and insist they send out a tech. Inspecting the venting system physically for faulty conditions caused be improper possible assembly and/or installation. Customer should not be doing any of the above.

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I don't think this is a double walled system... my furnace has that (where the intake and exhaust run through the same tubing - right?). This has a PVC vent pipe which is 3" schedule 40 pipe and about a 48' overall run length from the WH blower to where it exits the basement wall. It has a small screen covering the end on the exterior of the house. I was just checking the manufacturers website regarding venting the system. My system has (4) 45deg elbows and (1) 90deg elbow to get the ventpipe up to the ceiling joists and then up and out the far exterior wall. According to the website... 5 elbows is too many for this length of pipe. These probably effect the flow...

I tried something that the manufacturer had recommended when I first called them. I removed the vent pipe (PVC) from the top of the heater (blower)while it was running. The burner lit like it should... and it stayed lit. What is that telling us? That the 3" pipe is too small and not flowing enough?, or that there might be some blockage in the pipe? How could that be cleared out... A chimney sweep brush with a 48' extension?

I will be calling the manufacturer back to remedy this problem. But, if it's a vent problem and not a water heater problem... then the bill will be mine. I want to research this a little more first.

Also, it does not seem that the system goes into Lock up. Definitely not after 3 cycles. This thing cycles maybe 15 - 20 times before turning off.

Anyhow, Thanks greatly for the information!

Steve H.

Hi Steve

YEAP! That's it. The venting system is much to complex for the power fan. Thus a restricted air flow circulation results. Off a little on my prior ass-umption of dual walled venting system, granted.

But did realize new parts, as manufacturer intended to install and or has once done prior, and your well described symptom description, parts replacement would not solve the problem. Problem resides in the venting system.

48 feet with 5 elbows is much too much for the power system to operate properly. How to resolve the condition is for the plumbing and or installation pros. Whom have to be on site to evaluate existing venting installation, reroute or modify, where & if possible.

I have no exact answer for the solution.
However, I do have an excuse...haha....:)
Problem disagnostics is my field of expertise. (so it is said to be)
Actual work, to accomplish a solution, is left to the other pros.

You will need to advise the tech what the condition is, the test you ran and the results noted. Than that person should resolve the condition.

Sad fact when a customer has to advise an on site tech what the real problem is. But it does happen. Our techs simply dial us up...and help is just a phone call away....:)