bnymbill
New Member
My AO Smith GPVH40 water heater has been cycling out showing error code 6, Ignition/Flame Failure. The flame sensor, burner and burner chamber are coated in a white, powdery residue. I can clean the flame sensor, after which the water heater will operate but it will cycle out again in a day or two. I also noticed that the flame is tall and orange as opposed to low and blue.
Additional circumstances: my tenants sprayed Wondercide in the house to get rid of fleas. It is a cedar oil-based product. My educated guess is that cedar oil in the ambient air is causing a "dirty burn" creating the tall orange flame and leaving behind the white, powdery residue. The utility room was not sprayed with cedar oil but the rest of the house was, so I'm guessing some amount has made its way to the water heater.
The power vent appears to be pulling well - can feel it outside.
Will it return to normal after airing out the house for a few days or what can I do to help the process?
Picture saved here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByDEsDfHXr5ER0tRSEVRNkxuWTQ/view?usp=sharing
Additional circumstances: my tenants sprayed Wondercide in the house to get rid of fleas. It is a cedar oil-based product. My educated guess is that cedar oil in the ambient air is causing a "dirty burn" creating the tall orange flame and leaving behind the white, powdery residue. The utility room was not sprayed with cedar oil but the rest of the house was, so I'm guessing some amount has made its way to the water heater.
The power vent appears to be pulling well - can feel it outside.
Will it return to normal after airing out the house for a few days or what can I do to help the process?
Picture saved here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByDEsDfHXr5ER0tRSEVRNkxuWTQ/view?usp=sharing