The hot water heater being discussed is original on the '93 Jayco FS3500. Not sure of the brand.

About 2 weeks ago, I noticed that it didn't "roar" the way that it used to when it fired up. I noticed the other day that it was sooting the side of the trailer much more than previously. Today I noticed that the slotted air mix tube on the propane valve was sooted partially shut so I cleaned it all up and when I fired it up, it "roared" like it used to but I noticed a few minutes after shutdown that a flame popped out of the air mix slots at the valve so I shut it back off.

My guess is that the gas valve is leaking. Does that sound like a reasonable assessment and if so, how do you go about cleaning that valve?

 

16 year old hot water heater, i'd replace the valve. I wouldn't chance trying to clean it and trust it afterwards. I would make sure there's no bugs, spider webs, etc in there before spending any $$.

 

You'd buy a new one for your house buy a new one for your RV. They don't cost that much and as old as yours is even if you get replace the valves and so on the tank is most likely getting filled up with scale.

 

I agree on the replacement. 15yo, it's got to be on the edge of springing a leak.