Rheem Guardian PowerVent - Scale on Burner and Pilot Assemblies; Sooting; Yellow Flame; Burner Flame Noisy (Whistling)

Guardian PowerVent Training Manual SVC900; Rev 1
Page 30
Scale on burner and
pilot assemblies
1. Condensation
2. Contaminated atmosphere
Excessive condensation caused by
undersized heater.
Check for contaminant causing
chemicals near the heater.
Sooting 1. Combustion air inlets or flue
way is restricted
2. Not enough combustion or
ventilation air supplied to room
3. Improper gas pressure
4. Burner orifice or plate dirty
Remove obstruction or debris from
heater or flue way.
Improve combustion air or
ventilation air supply.
Check and adjust.
Inspect and clean.
Yellow flame 1. Scale on top of burner
2. Burner orifice or plate dirty
3. Flue way clogged
4. Improper gas pressure
5. Not enough combustion or
ventilation air supplied to room
Clean burner plate.
Inspect and clean.
Inspect and clean.
Check and adjust.
Improve combustion air or
ventilation air supply.
Burner flame noisy
(whistling)
1. Improper gas pressure
2. Burner orifice dirty
Check and adjust.
Inspect and clean.
Burner flame too high 1. Improper gas pressure
2. Wrong orifice
Check and adjust.
Install correct orifice.
Water too hot 1. Thermostat setting too high
2. Thermostat out of calibration
Adjust thermostat to lower setting.
Check and replace control valve.
Slow hot water
recovery
1. Burner orifice clogged
2. Improper gas pressure
Check and clean.
Check and adjust.
Noisy water heater
(rumbling and
sizzling)
1. Scale or sediment build up in
bottom of tank
2. Flue baffle loose
3. Condensation on main burner
Clean tank.
Reset and tighten.
Inspect for condensation (normal)
and tank leaks.
Excessive relief valve
operation
1. Excessive water pressure
2. Excessive temperature
Install proper pressure reducing
valve on cold side.
Check for open or closed system.
Install expansion tank.
Check thermostat; lower setting or
replace gas valve.
Rusty or black water 1. Anode rod dissolved
2. Excessive sediment build-up
3. High manganese content in
Check anode rod and replace.
Drain tank; replace tank if
sediment build up is excessive.
Smelly water (rotten
egg odor)
Bacteria formation inside water
tank
Replace anode rod if deteriorated.
Add automatic chlorine feeder to
cold water inlet side of tank.
Milky water Aerated water Allow a glass of hot water to set
for a few minutes. If the water
turns clear, the condition is a
natural occurrence.
Table 7 – Guardian PowerVent Troubleshooting Table