A.O. Smith GDVT instruction manual Maintenance, Venting System Inspection, Pilot and Main Burner

MAINTENANCE

FOR YOUR SAFETY AND SATISFACTORY OPERATION, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THIS HEATER BE CHECKED ONCE A YEAR BY A COMPETENT SERVICE PERSON.

USERS OF THIS APPLIANCE SHOULD BE AWARE THAT GAS COMPONENTS WEAR OUT OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. THE GAS CARRYING COMPONENTS OF THIS APPLIANCE SHOULD BE INSPECTED FOR PROPER OPERATION PERI- ODICALLY BY A QUALIFIED SERVICE TECHNICIAN.

VENTING SYSTEM INSPECTION

At least once a year a visual inspection should be made of the venting system. You should look for:

1.Obstructions which could cause improper venting. The com- bustion and ventilation air flow must not be obstructed.

2.Damage or deterioration which could cause improper venting or leakage of combustion products.

Be sure the vent piping is properly connected to prevent escape of dangerous flue gasses which could cause deadly asphyxia- tion.

Obstructions and deteriorated vent systems may present serious health risk or asphyxiation.

Chemical vapor corrosion of the flue and vent system may occur if air for combustion contains certain chemical vapors. Spray can propellants, cleaning solvents, refrigerator and air conditioner refrigerants, swimming pool chemicals, calcium and sodium chloride, waxes, bleach and process chemicals are typical com- pounds which are potentially corrosive.

If after inspection of the vent system you found sooting or dete- rioration, something is wrong. Call the local gas utility to correct the problem and clean or replace the flue and venting before resuming operation of the water heater.

PILOT AND MAIN BURNER

Flood damage to a water heater may not be readily visible or im- mediately detectable. However, over a period of time a flooded water heater will create dangerous conditions which can cause

DEATH, SERIOUS BODILY INJURY, OR PROPERTY DAM- AGE. Contact a qualified installer or service agency to replace

a flooded water heater. Do not attempt to repair the unit! It must be replaced!

At least once a year a visual inspection should be made of the main burner and the pilot assembly for proper flame characteris- tics. This can be done by removing the Outer Door and viewing the main burner operation through the Viewport on the Inner Door, see Figure 1. The main burner should provide complete combustion of gas, ignite rapidly, give reasonably quiet opera- tion, and cause no excessive flame lifting from the burner ports. If the proper flame characteristics are not evident (see Figure 1), make sure that the flow of combustion and ventilation air is not blocked in the venting system.

You should also check for sooting. Soot is not normal and will impair proper combustion. A visual inspection of the main burner and pilot assembly should also be done at least once a year, see Figure 1.

Soot build-up indicates a problem that requires correction be- fore further use. Turn “OFF” gas to water heater and leave off until repairs are made, because failure to correct the cause of the sooting can result in a fire causing death, serious injury, or property damage.

If proper flame characteristics are not evident, check for accumu- lation of lint or other foreign material that restricts or blocks the air openings in the heater or burner.

SOOT BUILD-UP INDICATES A PROBLEM THAT REQUIRES CORRECTION BEFORE FURTHER USE. CONSULT WITH A QUALIFIED SERVICE TECHNICIAN.

Should the main burner or burner air openings require cleaning, turn the gas control knob to “OFF” position and allow the burner to cool. Remove the burner and clean with a soft brush. Clean main burner orifice with a suitable soft material.

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