the water heater problem... a thanksgiving mystery???

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oldhouseand74

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Good afternoon & thanks in advance for your help & advice

I have an American water heater, “FG” series from 2005.

I recently awoke to my water heater spraying approximately 6 gallons of hot water out of my tpr valve along with significant condensation on the copper water pipe running into it. I replaced the tpr valve, thinking it was broken.

The water heater then didn’t start up. I then replaced the entire manifold with the bfg manifold conversion kit, part number 6910813. This model of water heater has a thermocouple that needs replaced in the case of overheating or malfunction. I was also concerned it was a clogged pilot tube. The BFG conversion manifold covers all these parts. I reconnected everything correctly .

I also cleaned the burner and vacuumed inside the tank prior to the new manifold install.

When I light the water heater I hear condensation inside because the water is cold and condensing onto the burner. I understand this is normal.

The pilot flame is a normal sized blue. When heater is turned to the on position, the flame changes. It becomes large and yellow/orange and sounds like a rocket ship taking off. I waited 12 minutes with the heater firing like this and decided to turn it off & seek your advice.:eek:

The water heater is venting correctly.

I also have 2 working co2 alarms near the water heater that show no signs of any increase in co2 in the space.

Nothing has changed with the gas lines prior to these issues.

My question is

Is this normal operation for a water heater that hasn’t been turned on for some time or could this be something dangerous. How long should I wait for the burner flame to subside, turn a stable blue and quiet down.

Thank you in advance for your help. I really appreciate it and can’t afford a brand new water heater right now before Christmas or else that would be the first option.
Happy thanksgiving
R
 
Condensation is normal and the water dripping on burner will splash and make the flame turn yellow.
Could be you have a bad regulator at the meter. how's the flame on other gas appliances?

throttle the gas cock down and see if that settles down the flame.
Temporary solution.
 
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