Scorch Marks on Tankless Water Heater

[Jeff Nicholson]

Yesterday I spotted this tankless water heater with scorching above the pilot lighting hole. This wasn't for an inspection, so I had no tools and couldn't open it up. Could all of that scorching come from simply lighting the pilot, or does it look like there's a more serious drafting issue going on?

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by jnicholson

Yesterday I spotted this tankless water heater with scorching above the pilot lighting hole. This wasn't for an inspection, so I had no tools and couldn't open it up. Could all of that scorching come from simply lighting the pilot, or does it look like there's a more serious drafting issue going on?

Yes I agree ............It needs service
It looks like a lot of dust on the air inlet?
Roy Cooke

[David A. Andersen]

Roll out scorching is more yellow looking (as it is hotter). The black color indicates a low oxidized flame, what would be expected from a lighting device.

I would venture a guess that it is from lighting the pilot with an improper lighter.

Did you feel any back drafting?

[Jeff Nicholson]

It wasn't operating. Ernesto knocked out power to this cabin earlier this week.

[Russel Ray]

I'm with David on this one.

[Stephen W. Stanczyk]

Originally Posted by dandersen

Roll out scorching is more yellow looking (as it is hotter). The black color indicates a low oxidized flame, what would be expected from a lighting device.

I would venture a guess that it is from lighting the pilot with an improper lighter.

You mean the paper towel I stick in the cars cigarette lighter isn't proper to light the pilot?

Steve

[wforsyth]

Originally Posted by jnicholson

Yesterday I spotted this tankless water heater with scorching above the pilot lighting hole. This wasn't for an inspection, so I had no tools and couldn't open it up. Could all of that scorching come from simply lighting the pilot, or does it look like there's a more serious drafting issue going on?

Jeff, I used to go to school in Waynesboro when I lived in Galax at about age 11. Very cool!

[Doug Edwards, CMI]

Are those green garden hoses going into the bottom of this unit?

[Gary Oleski]

Dave gets my vote!