Heater wont fire unless i remove the top cover on the 200 k model.sometimes shuts off within minutes sometimes lasts an hour .the ignitor light is on very dimly as is the flame light.VERY dimly.i cleaned the photocell but still acts up.the ignitor turns on and glows red hot and the injector sprays well but will not fire at times.

Clean the flame sencor , or ot could be the pressure switch blow down the hose they may be blocked .

ive never seen one of these water heaters but most gas apps have a thermo-couple which the ignition flame needs to heat the top of.if the ignition flame is missing the top of this the main gas valve will shut off.it may just be a bit of dirt in the flame director.which aims gas at the couple and main gas burner.hope ive helped.good luck

Sounds like it possibly may have frozen internally. Ice blockage and water was not circulating thru it, yet the ignitors fired and fired until it overheated and shut down. Possible that the exchangers may have been fried, that is why the funny color of smoke. Once weather is warmer and not frozen, run the pump with heater off and check for leaks. If no leaks in the heater and you can confirm water is circulating thru your system (water returning into pool thru the return lines) turn or fire up the heater and inspect/monitor its operation.

Pre-start checklist?

I assume the heater ran fine last season. If so, assume it will run fine this season. Simply remove the top cover, check the combustion chamber area for signs of visitors such as mice, wasps, dirt dobbers, etc. Remove debris.

We always drain the old fuel & start fresh.

Replace the top cover and fire it up. If it runs fine then leave it alone. If it won't continue to run troubleshoot and find the problem.

Troubleshoot a spark plug type heater http://www.reddyparts.com/SP_tips.htm

Troubleshoot a hot surface ignitor type heater http://www.reddyparts.com/HSI_tips.htm

if the ignitor is liting for the first 15 to 30 minutes and then it will not lite again you have bad gas coils,when they are failing they will work until they get hot then they shut down,the coils are located on top of the gas valve,take out the two phillips screws,remove the cover,change out one coil at a time,pull off the wire connector and install the new coils

Sounds like your pilot is dirty, with a can of air blow ( with gas off) directly into pilot. Do that a couple times, then relite.

AFTER THE BURNER SHUTS DOWN THE 1ST TIME IT SHOULD COME BACK ON WITHIN 1 TO 3 MINUTES. WHEN THE BURNER TRIES TO COME BACK ON YOU'LL HEAR A CLICK AND THE GLOW OF THE IGNITOR SHOULD BE VISIBLE. AFTER 30 TO 60 SECONDS IGNITOR SHOULD FADE AND THE BURNER SHOULD FIRE. IF IGNITOR FADES AND BURNER DOES NOT FIRE YOU WILL NEED TO REPLACE BURNER COILS #279834. IF IGNITOR DOES NOT COME ON YOU WILL HAVE A T STAT OR SENSOR ISSUE. SOUNDS LIKE COILS TO ME. HOPE THIS HELPS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTAT ME [email protected]. PLEASE RATE MY RESPONSE.

i have to start my heater manually. whats bi start it the controller works its when the heater hits its tempature it will turn off thats good, but when i re-start it with the control it wont start. i have to do it manually remove the cover on the heater and push a buttom on top. the pilot is always on?

Either a bad ignitor or gloplug.

This is going to be a tough one. You have been thorough, done it right, and it damn sure ought to fire off every time!

There is something that is causing you a problem and don't think that because you put in new parts that you didn't get a bad part. It happens. Not often, but it does happen. I have rec'd nozzles from the factory that had the orifice installed sideways, so, I know it happens.

If the ignitor glows- (it only stays on for 5 seconds, then quits)
If the fuel fogs (not sprays)
If the fuel hits the glowing ignitor
Then it should fire off-- every time.

Now, if the photocell doesn't like what it sees, then the photocell will shut the heater down within 5 seconds, but it at least should have ignited. Right? Unless the photocell or the board are bad. Maybe.

Lift the top, and watch. What's happening. Are you having a fuel problem or an electronics problem? For instance- is the ignitor glowing every time at start up or only sometimes.

Let me know what you find.