Hayward H400 - Bizzare Issue + IF code

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BrianWithAY

Well-known member
Apr 17, 2021
47
Dallas
Was throwing "CE", replaced display board. Started throwing the board error, replaced main board, now getting "IF"

Goes through all the steps, Infighter glows red, I smell gas. Will not light, throws "IF".

The weird part. I removed all of the gas nozzles to check for clogs and they were clean.
To remove them, I rotated the lower portion of the black gas pipe out and up so I could get a wrench around the nozzles.
I turned it on in this configuration (No nozzles and gaspipe, lower section rotated away / out) to see if I could feel the gas coming out.

To my surprise the thing lit. It ignighted and hot air was shooting out the top like when it is functioning normally. I clearly don't know how this machine works because I assumed the nozzles were the source of fuel for the heater.
I shut it off quickly and replaced the gas nozzles and rotated the pipe back into place, buttoned it all up and it is back to "IF" 3 attempts then throws the "IF" code.
 
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It appears to be repeatable.

Just rotated the lower pipe away and it is lit and heating the water.
As shown here it is on, running, hot air venting out the top

20240422_160050.jpg



I put it back in place and no joy.
As seen here, I get "IF"

20240422_160100.jpg




Where is it possibly getting gas from if the nozzles are no where near the heater?
 
The gas comes out of the nozzles so I don't see how that is possible unless it is simply burning off what was already in the burner tubes.

But what you are doing is very dangerous. The gas coming out of the nozzles when tilted up is flooding the area with gas which could have explosive results.
 
mas985 said:
The gas comes out of the nozzles so I don't see how that is possible unless it is simply burning off what was already in the burner tubes.

But what you are doing is very dangerous. The gas coming out of the nozzles when tilted up is flooding the area with gas which could have explosive results.
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Yeah, I kinda figured that this was a Darwin award waiting to happen.
 
You said that the ignitor glows in both cases correct?

This is just pure speculation but what if the gas pressure is actually too high and when the bar is down, the NG:Oxygen mixture is too rich and does not ignite. When the tubes are up, the tubes have a larger opening and more oxygen so they light.

A safer experiment would be to prime the tubes with gas/bar down and attempt a startup. Shut off the gas to the nozzles so no chance of kaboom, put the bar up and then see how long the heater stays ignited. It should burn out fairly quickly.
 
mas985 said:
You said that the ignitor glows in both cases correct?

This is just pure speculation but what if the gas pressure is actually too high and when the bar is down, the NG:Oxygen mixture is too rich and does not ignite. When the tubes are up, the tubes have a larger opening and more oxygen so they light.

A safer experiment would be to prime the tubes with gas/bar down and attempt a startup. Shut off the gas to the nozzles so no chance of kaboom, put the bar up and then see how long the heater stays ignited. It should burn out fairly quickly.
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ok that's a good thought.
I will start by putting the bar up, shutting off the gas and see if it lights and then goes out which would confirm just burning left over gas.
 
No dice.
I tried the above suggestion, I also tried closing the gas valve to varying degrees in an attempt to reduce the gas flow.
No ignition except with the bar raised and I kill it as soon as it lights. Feels like a dumb experiment.
 
BrianWithAY said:
No dice.
I tried the above suggestion, I also tried closing the gas valve to varying degrees in an attempt to reduce the gas flow.
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Did you try it with the gas completely shut off?

BrianWithAY said:
No ignition except with the bar raised and I kill it as soon as it lights. Feels like a dumb experiment.
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With the gas shut off, it should not continue to burn.
 

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But did you first prime the flame tubes with the black pipe in the downward position and trying to light the burners? This will fill the burner tubes with gas. Then shut off the gas, move bar up and try to start.

If so, that might mean you have a gas leak somewhere. With the black tube in the downward position and upward position, use a spray bottle with water and a little soap to see if you can find the leaks.
 
I did spray the soap and got bubbles on the left (source side) of the gas valve box.
I disassembled everything and another thing that caught my eye was a hole labled "Pilot" on the valve was complete clogged with mud.
Not sure its purpose or if it could be leading to strange behaviors.

I cleaned it up and I am going to reassemble.

Question. can I use the teflon tape for gas pipes or do I need the liquid stuff?

20240423_105908_resized.jpg
 
BrianWithAY said:
I did spray the soap and got bubbles on the left (source side) of the gas valve box.
I disassembled everything and another thing that caught my eye was a hole labled "Pilot" on the valve was complete clogged with mud.
Not sure its purpose or if it could be leading to strange behaviors.
Click to expand...
There is no "pilot" for these heaters but perhaps it is used for testing during manufacturing.

BrianWithAY said:
I cleaned it up and I am going to reassemble.

Question. can I use the teflon tape for gas pipes or do I need the liquid stuff?
Click to expand...
Only if it is the yellow tape or labeled as for gas fittings.
 
I may throw in the towel and buy a new heater.
I took it apart, cleaned everything and now it does nothing.

I increase the temp, the number flashes about 5 times then it quickly flashes B0 and then goes to standby.
 

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