Had a Rinnai RL94 gas heater since late 2015. Always had a faint whiff of gas odor near it. Last month or so the whiff is getting a little stronger.
Does anyone deal with these and know likely cause?
Internet suggests maybe a dirty burner. WWGRMD?
This video is pretty good and helpful for wayfinding inside the burner and igniter (I have also cleaned dead moths from the fan housing several times)
my heater (professional installed)
Seems to let out a little fart of gas at the start of a heat cycle or perhaps at the end.
Is it normal?
Pick up one of those little gas leak sniffers from the home improveme t store, should help pin point the source. Note , fresh pipe sealant will set it off. Needs like 2-3 days to dry at least!
Spray a little dish soap on each of the fittings to see if there is a leak- they will bubble.
Joy dish soap is the most bubbly.
SV reX said:Spray a little dish soap on each of the fittings to see if there is a leak- they will bubble.
Joy dish soap is the most bubbly.
Have tried that. No bubbles on any of the black iron nor the flex pipe fittings. I think it's from the heater. That YT channel above has been a rabbit hole. I'm gonna email him.
Gearheadotaku (Forum Supporter) said:Pick up one of those little gas leak sniffers from the home improveme t store, should help pin point the source. Note , fresh pipe sealant will set it off. Needs like 2-3 days to dry at least!
Actually borrowed a sniffer from a friend yesterday and it was not conclusive. My best guess is the burner assembly might be sooted up or something. Considering buying some rebuild parts but my buddy the plumber who installed it is away on a cruise and I want to talk to pick his brain first.
Once I installed a gas stove top and you could smell gas in the drawer below but no where else. I called our gas company and they came with a sniffer and found the leak but I had to tighten the part that was 'sus.
Is that an option?
Our tankless gas hot water heater gives a little fart of gas smellable outside near the intake/exhaust. (Thanks OHSCrifle for the great expression!)
Gas company guy said it was normal.
Did have a situation where the intake screen inside the unit was blocked with lint and that shut down the unit, but no gas smells.
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