Water Heater Making Loud POP

[shorelooksnice.com]

Hi, we have a 2012 Forest River Sunseeker. The water heater has been incredible but today it didn't light on first attempt and then on the 2nd attempt it made a loud POP! From what I've read online it could be cobwebs? Also, is it safe to use until I am in a position to clean it? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[BigJohnD]

Kind of hard to describe a pop noise. Sometimes the burst of the gas igniting in the tube will make a pop type noise. I don't see any reason not to use it. Have you went outside and open the cover to watch it ignite? Might have somebody flip the switch and watch it.

[garbonz]

The POP means that you are getting gas flow for awhile, and then it is igniting with a small explosion. I don't absolutely know this but I don't think it is a good thing to leave unattended for a long time. I would just turn it on and leave it on until it cycles back off when the heating is done and then turn it off until you need it again. OR use electric if you have it. Sometimes the igniter gets a little corroded and doesn't spark well. You can pull the igniter and clean if off with a piece of emery cloth, or just replace the igniter, they are cheap.

I wouldn't watch it TOOO close, sometimes that POP is also associated with a little bit of flame out the heating tube. Kinda scary. Don't ask me how I know.

[RamblerGuy]

I agree with garbonz. The water heater will make three purge and ignite tries. Ours has failed to ignite on the first try, paused to allow the gas to clear, the tried again. Sometimes the gas did not clear out and it would pop when the igniter fired again.

When our coach was about two years old it would sometimes not ignite after three tries. The control won't allow more than three tries. I cured the problem by adjusting the igniter electrodes a little closer to get a more consistant spark. I haven't had a problem since then.