The gas water heater does not light up

Here you will learn:

The most common causes of breakdowns
Elimination of traction disorders
Water pressure problem
Problems with insufficient gas pressure
Problems with ignition
Problem with clogs
Removing burner blockage
Gas block and membrane repair
Mixing cold water in the mixer
Electronics malfunction
Finally

Your gas heater won't light and you want to call a technician? We assure you that many malfunctions and breakdowns can be dealt with on your own, without the help of specialists. And the simpler the geyser, the easier it is to repair it. In this review, we will not only talk about the malfunctions, but also give recommendations for eliminating them - after which you will be able to light up your speaker .

The most common causes of breakdowns

Let's start a review of breakdowns using the example of such simple geysers as Oasis or Neva. These are fairly simple devices, so almost any man who knows how to work with tools and has relatively straight hands can handle their repair. Here is a short list of possible faults and causes:

Lack of traction;
Insufficient water pressure;
Insufficient gas pressure;
Inoperative ignition system;
Clogged tubes and water supply filter;
Burner clogged;
Malfunction of the membrane or gas block;
Inaccurate mixing of cold water in the mixer;
Faulty electronics or sensors.

Now we will look at how to eliminate breakdowns and causes of lack of ignition.

Typical problems with individual models

Experts have identified malfunctions of individual models of geysers, which occur most often.

"Aster":

Frequent problems with the solenoid valve.
If the mixer is adjusted incorrectly, it works unstably.

"Ariston":

Problems with the water unit.
Rapid membrane wear.

"Oasis":

Problems with the burner.
Membrane disruption.

"Amina":

Battery drains quickly.

"Russian M":

Valve dysfunction.
Filters clogged.

"Dion":

The heat exchanger burns out quickly.

Elimination of traction disorders

To test traction, try using an ordinary match. Bring it to the chimney and determine if there is a draft, then the flame will deviate towards the chimney.

If there is no draft, the gas water heater will not light and users will not receive hot water. Many dispensers are equipped with draft sensors, and if they show insufficient draft, ignition will be impossible. Situations are possible when the flame lights up and immediately goes out - this is due to the fact that the combustion products simply have nowhere to go, they remain in the combustion chamber, and the flame goes out due to lack of oxygen. Lack of draft will require an inspection of the flue gas collector and the chimney itself. If there are blockages here, they can interfere with the normal passage of combustion products. The column perceives this as a lack of traction and does not allow the gas to ignite (or the gas goes out immediately after turning on). Unfortunately, you will be able to independently check only the part of the chimney that is visible before entering the wall - further work must be carried out by specialists . If the house is private, you can try to figure out the chimney yourself.

Water pressure problem

To clean the water filter, disconnect the cold water supply pipe. At the place where it is attached you will see a mesh filter; cleaning it will help restore the pressure.

If your gas water heater does not light up, but everything is fine with the draft, then there may be a problem with the water supply. A small pressure often leads to the ignition not working. You can try to adjust the pressure on the column itself using the appropriate regulator - sometimes this helps (although the regulator is not present in all models). also check the filter installed at the inlet of the column - it could be clogged. If there is no pressure even in a cold water tap, all that remains is to complain to the authorities responsible for water supply - the pressure must correspond to the standards established in the country. If no one is going to do anything, we install a pressure-increasing pump - it will raise the pressure to the required limits and help ignite the gas in your column. Installing a pump is a completely legal operation.

You can also check the pipes passing through the apartment/house; it is quite possible that they are clogged or rusted to such an extent that the clearance has become very small - this has a negative effect on the pressure.

Sources of accident

There are several reasons for burner failure, the main ones being the following factors:

1. Lack of traction.

For any model, be it Neva, Oasis or Vector, the flame goes out or does not light up due to the fact that the chimney is often clogged with dust, dirt and foreign objects. In modern equipment, in this case, a safety valve is activated, shutting off the fuel supply to the gas column automatically. This happens because combustion products are not removed in full and in accordance with technical requirements.

To verify the malfunction, you need to check the traction. To do this, open a window and bring a lit match or a sheet of paper to the pipe. If the chimney is clogged, the wind will not be felt, so the gas water heater will not light. Specialists are engaged in cleaning the combustion waste removal system

It is important not to miss this moment, as exhaust gas enters the room, which can lead to serious consequences

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Sometimes the automation is triggered when a nearby hood is on, and the flame goes out or does not appear. If the device has high power, it interferes with the removal of waste, so you should never install two units in one place, especially in small rooms.

2. Sensor malfunction.

If the pilot flame goes out, it is necessary to inspect the device that controls the exhaust of gases. To do this, disconnect the wires and check the resistance using a special device. The indicator must be indicated in the passport; if it does not reach the optimal value, the sensor will have to be replaced. The burner goes out if the thermocouple breaks down. In this case, the geyser does not ignite due to low voltage, the optimal parameter of which is 10 mV.

3. Discharged batteries.

The main function of the batteries is to keep the valve open during operation. The service life of the elements is no more than a year, so manufacturers of gas units such as Neva recommend changing batteries on time. In addition, the reason that the burner does not ignite may be a malfunction of the piezoelectric element or the power cable. It is necessary to disconnect the wires and check them for internal and external breaks. If there is still no spark, the column does not turn on, then the source of the problem is different.

4. Interior clogged.

If dirt and soot get into the gas supply tunnel from the fittings to the burner, the flame goes out or does not ignite. The injectors need to be cleaned. If the fuel pressure is not adjusted, a characteristic whistle will be heard, the flame will come off, and then it will disappear. Also, a burner of the wrong diameter can create such a malfunction. In this case, you need to adjust the gas supply or replace the elements. When aired, the gas water heater ignites, but immediately goes out. To eliminate the defect, you need to unscrew the nut on the fitting and bleed the air, then return the mount to its place, fix it and check whether the burner goes out.

5. Deformation of elements.

If the water is too hard, scale appears in the pipes, which gradually clogs the filters, so the gas unit goes out or does not turn on. The grate is removed and thoroughly cleaned. If it has become damaged due to deposits, it is better to replace it.

The membrane of the water supply unit often breaks, so the column does not turn on. To determine its condition, remove the top cover of the case. The plate should not have cracks or breaks, have the correct shape, smooth and even. In case of the slightest deformation, it will have to be replaced. It is better to choose a part made of durable and elastic material that is resistant to temperature fluctuations and the influence of scale. The membrane must be installed carefully, pressing the fasteners around the perimeter.

6. Water pressure.

As in the situation with draft, the automation blocks the gas supply; if the supply is poor, the burner goes out immediately. It is worth contacting the utility services to find out the reasons and turn off the unit until then. You can use the column only if the water pressure is normal. In private homes, pressure is increased using a compact station and regulator. If the column turns on and works normally, but the water still comes out cold, the device may not have enough power, the parameters are noted in the passport.

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Problems with ignition

Typically, batteries in geysers are located in the lower right corner, and replacing them does not require much effort.

Situations are often observed when gas is supplied, there is draft, the pressure is normal, but the gas water heater does not ignite. If you have a Neva or Oasis gas water heater installed with electric ignition, listen to see if there is a spark being generated. The presence of a spark is indicated by a characteristic crackling sound heard when the tap is opened. If you hear a crackling sound, but the gas heater does not ignite, try replacing the batteries - this is a very common reason for the lack of ignition (a weak spark makes normal ignition impossible). Owners of speakers with piezoelectric ignition need to make sure that the igniter is working. If it lights up, then the column should light up immediately, without hesitation. If there is no flame, try to light it with the ignition button. If the gas in the igniter does not ignite, then the problem is in the igniter itself (in the nozzle) - it needs to be cleaned. To do this, we disassemble the gas water heater, get to the fuse and clean it with steel wire. Next, we try to light the column again.

When repairing your geyser, be careful and always turn off the gas supply before carrying out any operations.

As for hydrodynamic ignition, it is a combination of a small generator and an electrical circuit that generates a spark and powers some other electronic components. If the generator or circuit fails, the gas water heater will not light. Self-repair here is only possible if you have the appropriate knowledge and experience in electronics repair.

Recommendations for carrying out repair work

Replacement of the membrane on the column of each model is carried out only with compatible parts. Products should be purchased strictly from official suppliers or certified dealers. In terms of material, the silicone diaphragm offers increased durability.

The regulators are removed from the body by moving them towards you. If the speaker is equipped with a display, you will need to disconnect the cables associated with it. The casing is removed by unscrewing the bolts or pulling forward and upward to loosen the latches. After this, you can disassemble the unit itself, which is responsible for replenishing the system with water. No special methods are needed to change batteries, but you should still know how to do it.

The flag holding the lid must be turned 90 degrees counterclockwise. When placing batteries vertically and securing them to flexible latches in the shape of the letter L, you need to move the parts to the side and remove the batteries. Immediately after this, new energy sources can be installed and secured in place with the same latches. Some versions use a retractable container that comes out when you press the middle part of the bottom until it clicks.

It is not difficult to disassemble a gas water heater; most often you have to do this to clean it. Cleaning must be carried out on both the water supply and gas circuits. The presence of dirt on the ignition elements threatens disaster, and clogging of the pipeline with scale sharply reduces energy efficiency. After removal, the unit receiving water is washed under the maximum possible pressure. The column radiator can also be cleaned only when removed.

It is worth taking into account that if scale has blocked the movement of the nuts, you should not demonstrate heroic perseverance or call for help from stronger people. It is more correct and safer to remove the blockage using WD-40 liquid, which allows you to not break anything. At home, a hot solution of citric acid or vinegar can replace the special liquid when flushing the heat exchanger. When returning the cleaned part to its place, it is necessary to replace each seal. In the gas burner itself, without the help of professionals, it is permissible to clean only the ignition (using a steel brush).

To learn how to troubleshoot Neva geysers, see the following video.

Problem with clogs

Filters are often installed at the entrance to the gas water heater, which filter out small solid impurities contained in the water. Salts also settle here, becoming an obstacle to the normal passage of liquid. As a result, the water heater stops lighting up and providing the household with hot water. In this case, you need to turn off the water supply, unscrew the filter and clean it. If the condition of the filter is very severe, then it is easier to replace it.

To clean the heat exchanger, soak it in a solution of water and detergent, and pour citric acid into the tubes to the top and leave for half an hour.

Also, during many years of operation of the column, the tubes or heat exchanger may become clogged. In this case, you need to check the permeability of the water unit and make sure that the heat exchanger is permeable. Blockages are removed by washing with special reagents - to purchase them, you should contact your nearest hardware store. After flushing, the functionality of your geyser will be restored.

In order to prevent sediment from clogging the inside of the column, install a decent filter at the entrance to the column, which will remove small impurities and soften hard water.

Solution methods

The following are the identified dilemmas and ways to solve them.

The strainer is clogged. This is the most common reason for the question of why hot water flows poorly in a gas water heater.

If a filter is found to be damaged during this process, it is replaced.

Scale in the maintenance. It may be insignificant, or it may be multi-layered deposits. In such cases, the water in the gas water heater has weak pressure, or the device does not light up at all.

The best option is to use a composition based on citric acid. You need 50-70 g per liter of warm water.

Clogged hot water pipes. To fix the problem, you can act independently. If the actions do not bring the desired effect, then call a specialist.

After which the spout is clamped with a finger. In this process, the reverse flow of water should push the clog forward.

Mixer problems. They appear when small contaminants pass through the column pipes and end up inside it. The most vulnerable are

filter,
crane axle box,
hose with thin rubber walls.

The device has low power. This suggests a logical solution: replace it with a more powerful analogue.

With the latter option, a 500 liter tank is installed, and inside the pump.

Removing burner blockage

Unfortunately, the burners in the Neva and Oasis gas water heaters (as in many others) are susceptible to blockages. Most often, this picture is observed in models with piezoelectric ignition. The cause of clogging is the accumulation of soot. It needs to be removed, for which the column is disassembled and the burner itself is removed from it. Any available tools are used for cleaning. After cleaning, the burner should be reinstalled and checked. If necessary, you can immediately clean the heat exchanger - its clogging leads to loss of traction and deterioration of heating.

If your gas heater does not light and you decide to clean it, do it on the balcony or in the open air. Otherwise, soot flying into the air will definitely stain the entire room in which the speaker is installed.

Gas block and membrane repair

To replace the membrane, remove the column water block. After disassembling it you will get to the membrane.

Sometimes a geyser does not ignite due to damage to the membrane - it reacts to water pressure and controls further ignition. If it is torn, then further operation of the gas water heater will be impossible. Difficulties in repair will be caused by the fact that it is difficult to find a suitable membrane - they are rarely found on sale, and their prices are high. In addition to the membrane, you need to check the entire gas block, since it is full of parts that can fail.

To disassemble and repair the gas block, detailed instructions may be required - they can be found on our website or on the Internet.

Troubleshooting that prevents the gas heater from igniting

There is a turbocharged gas water heater with electric ignition. When the hot water is turned on, the heater clicks, but does not light up. An electric discharge is heard and the fan turns on.

The first step is to carry out an inspection; to do this, remove the column cover. It is fastened with four bolts: two from below, two from above. We also remove the knobs for adjusting the flame, temperature, and winter-summer mode. Upon inspection, everything seems intact, the wires are not burned anywhere, water is not leaking anywhere.

The principle of operation is that when a water flow appears, the gas valve is activated, an electric discharge is created, the gas is ignited, and at the same time the fan is turned on to draw waste combustion products outside. If the water pressure is insufficient or the hood does not work, the gas goes out and the column turns off.

So, open the tap and see what happens. Water rustled through the heat exchanger tubes, the electrodes gave a discharge, the fan turned on, but the gas did not ignite. Let's check if the relay (microswitch) is working, which is activated when there is sufficient water pressure and opens the gas supply valve. To do this, turn the tap again, the relay tongue should move away.

It works, which means the pressure is sufficient for the gas water heater to operate. Now let's check the operation of the gas valve. To do this, use a screwdriver to move the same tongue away without opening the water. If there is a spark at the electrodes and the fan starts working, then the gas valve is working.

The fault was found quite quickly; the ignition electrode did not produce a spark. There are only two of them: extreme ones. The one in the center is the control one; if there is no flame, it turns off the gas supply.

Mixing cold water in the mixer

Many people, instead of adjusting the degree of heating on the gas water heater itself, mercilessly torment the mixer. If you open the cold water too much, the lit column will simply go out. If at that moment it was not burning, then it will certainly not catch fire. Make it a rule to turn on the hot water supply first, and only then the cold water supply. It’s best to adjust the degree of heating using the appropriate controls.

You also need to remember that intensive mixing of cold water is not welcomed by the developers of geysers - this can lead to their damage.

Electronics malfunction

The draft sensor in geysers is usually located on top. It is attached to the chimney.

Modern geysers have many electronic units and sensors on board - only the simplest models do not have them. Sensors monitor draft and the presence of flame (ionization control), monitor the water temperature and automatically regulate the degree of its heating. If one of the sensors fails, the gas water heater will malfunction. The most typical malfunction is a breakdown of the draft sensor in the exhaust gas manifold. As a result, the electronics will not give the go-ahead for ignition. Failures also occur in electronic modules installed in many geysers. Repairing them is complicated by the fact that this requires special knowledge in the field of electronics and circuit design. If you are sure that electronic components are faulty, but do not have the necessary knowledge, feel free to call a specialist.

The gas water heater burns, but does not heat the water.

One of the most common breakdowns. There are several reasons why the gas water heater burns but cold water flows:

Soot contamination of the outer part of the heat exchanger - the metal cavity comes into contact with combustion products. Over time, a thick layer of soot forms on the walls. The geyser does not heat water for the reason that soot is a good heat insulator that prevents heat transfer.
Problems in the operation of the cold water regulator - the gas pressure is regulated using a membrane and a rod connected to the supply valve. The “frog” has two cavities separated by a rubber gasket. When the DHW tap is opened, the membrane bends and presses on the rod that opens the fuel supply to the burner. If a geyser does not heat water well with good water pressure, the reason is in the rod or membrane:
Stem - is a rod connected to the valve. When exposed to the membrane, the rod presses on the sensor, opening the supply of blue fuel to the burner. The stronger the mechanical effect on the rod, the greater the gas pressure. Over time, rust can develop on the metal, making it difficult for the rod to move, resulting in a weak flame on the burner.
Low gas pressure - in this case, the water does not heat up in the gas water heater, not due to failures or malfunctions in the water heater. You can fix the problem by contacting your local Gorgaz branch.

The causes of poor water heating by a gas water heater are eliminated after replacing the membrane or rod, as well as cleaning the heat exchanger. To prevent frequent breakdowns, the heat generator should be regularly maintained.