Water Heaters - Gas Leak from Temperature Control Box

15 year old 40 gal AO Smith with White-Rodgers controls started leaking LP after I cleaned the area on top of the box.

I followed proper safety precautions and shut the gas off at the tank. Must I replace the wh or can I repair or replace the controls?

I've checked the website and doesn't appear to be one of the ones under recall.
To complicate matters, my house is on the market and we were having an open house today, needless to say it didn't sell.

I'd like to get it repaired or replaced as cheaply and as quickly as possible. An old time plumber is coming tomorrow and will want to replace the wh. Is that my best option?

Have you determined where the leak is located? Most leaks on water heater thermostats occur-- Flex connector ends--pilot tubing fitting at bottom of control or at pilot end-- burner tubing at base of thermostat. Leaks are found by using soap solution not an open flame. Normally open flame is not dangerous, however it may not be able to support a flame when leak is small. Don't use open flame. If you are uncomfortable checking for leaks I would suggest you call a dealer. Remember propane is heavier than air and sinks. Play it safe and call for help. Are you saying the water heater fouled a sale? Replace water heater and sell the house.

I used a soap solution and found the bubbles coming from the base of the on/pilot/off red knob of the gas control. The LP gas company confirmed this.

It probably didn't foul the sale but it didn't help that I was on the phone to plumbers/contractors when I should have been staging and leaving the house.

Is it unusual for gas to leak in this part of the TC?

Its not common to leak there, but I have seen it numerous times. Have you decided what you want to do? 15 year old tank has been on borrowed time for several years

You're so right, this water heater has been living on borrowed time and no plumbers want to deal with a replacement of a tc unit of an AO Smith. So my options are to replace it with a traditional storage tank. or look at tankless.

The current unit is wedged in between the stove and a floor to ceiling window.
Even a new unit will look ugly from both inside and outside plus we may have space issues if code requires a floor clearance and/or expansion tank. My gut is to go LP tankless. This is a small 1905 Victorian house and we never shower when the washing machine is running. The current LP water heater is on an outside wall and vented easily. I don't want to go electric because that would require a new circuit box. The only drawback to my plan is that tankless is alot more expensive initially on a house I'm trying to sell.

Do you see any other options?

Thanks for your guidance, Rachel

I think I would probably opt for a direct replacement. Go the easy way if I understand you, that seems like a plan you could easily accomplish