Why is the burner flame too high on my A.O. Smith GDV?
- KKelly SosaSep 12, 2025
If the burner flame on your A.O. Smith Water Heater is too high, it could be because the orifice is too large. Replace it with the correct orifice.
Why is the burner flame too high on my A.O. Smith GDV?
If the burner flame on your A.O. Smith Water Heater is too high, it could be because the orifice is too large. Replace it with the correct orifice.
What to do if A.O. Smith GDV Water Heater pilot will not light?
If the pilot of your A.O. Smith Water Heater won't light or stay lit, consider these potential causes: * Air in the gas line. Bleed the air from the line. * No gas supply. Contact your gas utility company. * Dirt in the gas lines. Notify the utility company and install a sediment trap. * A clogged pilot line or orifice. Clean and correct the issue. * A defective thermopile. Replace it. * Cold drafts. Locate and correct the source. Also, a gas control/thermostat ECO switch being open, a defective igniter or electrode, or low gas pressure can prevent the pilot from lighting. Replace the gas control/thermostat or the igniter/pilot assembly as needed, and check with the gas company about the pressure.
Why is my A.O. Smith GDV Water Heater dripping from the relief valve?
If your A.O. Smith Water Heater's relief valve is dripping, it could be due to: * Excessive water pressure. Install a pressure reducing valve and relief valve. * Heater stacking. Lower the thermostat setting. * A closed water system. See “Closed System/Thermal Expansion”. * Temperature setting too high. Decrease the temperature setting.
Why is the pilot flame too small on my A.O. Smith Water Heater?
A pilot flame that's too small on your A.O. Smith Water Heater may be caused by: * A clogged pilot line or orifice. Clean the line and locate the source of the clog. * Low gas pressure. Contact your gas utility company to check the pressure. * A defective pilot. Replace the pilot.
Why is my A.O. Smith Water Heater causing high operation costs?
High operation costs for your A.O. Smith Water Heater can stem from several factors: * A thermostat set too high. Adjust it to a lower setting. * Sediment or lime buildup in the tank. Drain and flush the tank, considering water treatment. * An undersized water heater. Install a larger unit. * Incorrect piping connections. Ensure the dip tube is in the cold inlet. * Leaking faucets. Repair any leaks. Additionally, gas leaks should be checked by the utility company and repaired immediately. Wasted hot water, long runs of exposed piping, hot water piping in exposed walls, and leaks or cracks in the dip tube can also contribute to high costs. Insulate piping and check/replace the dip tube if necessary.
Why is my A.O. Smith GDV Water Heater providing insufficient hot water?
If you're experiencing insufficient hot water with your A.O. Smith Water Heater, check these potential causes: * Thermostat set too low: Turn the temperature dial to the desired setting. * Sediment or lime in the tank: Drain and flush the tank, and consider water treatment. * Water heater too small: Install an adequately sized heater. * Wrong piping connections: Correct the piping, ensuring the dip tube is in the cold inlet. * Leaking faucets: Repair any leaks. Also, wasted hot water, long runs of exposed piping, and hot water piping in outside walls can contribute to this issue. Insulate the piping. Low gas pressure can also be a factor; check with your gas utility company.
How to get rid of smelly water from A.O. Smith GDV?
If your A.O. Smith Water Heater has smelly water, it could be due to sulfur in the water. To resolve this, consider replacing the anode with a special anode.
Why A.O. Smith GDV pilot will not light or remain lit?
If the pilot of your A.O. Smith Water Heater won't light or stay lit, there are several potential causes: * There might be air in the gas line, requiring you to bleed the air. * Check with your gas utility company to ensure you have a gas supply. * Dirt in the gas lines may necessitate notifying the utility to install a dirt trap. * A clogged pilot line or orifice needs cleaning. * Ensure the thermocouple connection is finger-tight, then give it an additional 1/4 turn with a wrench. Other possible reasons include a defective thermocouple, cold drafts (locate and correct the source), an open gas control/thermostat ECO switch (replace the gas control/thermostat), a defective igniter or electrode (replace the igniter or pilot assembly), low gas pressure (check with the gas utility...
Why does the burner flame float and lift off ports on my A.O. Smith GDV Water Heater?
If the burner flame floats and lifts off the ports of your A.O. Smith Water Heater, it could be due to: * An orifice that is too large. Replace it with the correct orifice. * High gas pressure. Check with your gas utility company. * A clogged flue. Clean the flue and burner, locating and correcting the source of the clog. * Cold drafts. Locate and correct the source of the drafts.
What causes smoking and carbon formation in A.O. Smith GDV?
Smoking and carbon formation (sooting) in your A.O. Smith Water Heater can be attributed to: * Insufficient secondary air. Ensure the water heater has adequate ventilation by checking the flue way, flue baffle, and burner. * Low gas pressure. Contact your gas utility company to check the gas pressure. * A clogged flue. Clean the flue to remove any obstructions. * A defective gas control/thermostat. Replace the gas control/thermostat. * The heater being installed in a confined area. Provide fresh air ventilation to the area. Also, a burner flame that is yellow and lazy can cause smoking and carbon formation. See “Burner Flame Yellow-Lazy”.
Introduces safety messages and hazard symbols used throughout the manual for user awareness.
Details specific hazards like fire, explosion, burns, and carbon monoxide, with crucial safety instructions.
Explains the risks associated with high water temperatures and the importance of temperature control.
Explains the T&P relief valve's function, certification, and critical safety role against overheating.
Details gas line requirements, including code compliance, material use, sediment traps, and leak testing.
Provides critical safety steps to follow immediately if a gas leak is detected.
Step-by-step guide for safely lighting the pilot and main burner, including safety warnings.
Instructions on adjusting the thermostat for optimal water temperature and safety.
Details annual checks for the venting system, focusing on obstructions and potential damage.
Covers inspection of pilot and main burner flames for proper operation and signs of sooting.
Lists possible causes and corrections for the burner failing to ignite.
Addresses causes and solutions for smelly water, often related to the anode rod or water chemistry.
Troubleshooting steps for identifying and correcting lazy or yellow burner flames.
Diagnosing and fixing issues with the pilot light not staying lit or not lighting at all.
Explores reasons for high operating costs and how to improve water heater efficiency.
Provides solutions for issues related to not enough hot water being produced by the heater.
Addresses causes and fixes for slow recovery of hot water after use.
Explains causes for the relief valve dripping and corrective actions.
Addresses thermostat malfunction where it fails to shut off the burner.
Introduces safety messages and hazard symbols used throughout the manual for user awareness.
Details specific hazards like fire, explosion, burns, and carbon monoxide, with crucial safety instructions.
Explains the risks associated with high water temperatures and the importance of temperature control.
Explains the T&P relief valve's function, certification, and critical safety role against overheating.
Details gas line requirements, including code compliance, material use, sediment traps, and leak testing.
Provides critical safety steps to follow immediately if a gas leak is detected.
Step-by-step guide for safely lighting the pilot and main burner, including safety warnings.
Instructions on adjusting the thermostat for optimal water temperature and safety.
Details annual checks for the venting system, focusing on obstructions and potential damage.
Covers inspection of pilot and main burner flames for proper operation and signs of sooting.
Lists possible causes and corrections for the burner failing to ignite.
Addresses causes and solutions for smelly water, often related to the anode rod or water chemistry.
Troubleshooting steps for identifying and correcting lazy or yellow burner flames.
Diagnosing and fixing issues with the pilot light not staying lit or not lighting at all.
Explores reasons for high operating costs and how to improve water heater efficiency.
Provides solutions for issues related to not enough hot water being produced by the heater.
Addresses causes and fixes for slow recovery of hot water after use.
Explains causes for the relief valve dripping and corrective actions.
Addresses thermostat malfunction where it fails to shut off the burner.
| Brand | A.O. Smith |
|---|---|
| Model | GDV |
| Category | Water Heater |
| Type | Gas |
| Recovery Rate | Varies by model |
| Application | Residential |
| Gas Type | Natural Gas |
| Vent Type | Power Vent |












Loading...