Propane Water Heater Acting Funny

[Gebo]

I have been noticing that my propane water heater will come on and run for about 10 seconds and then cut off for about 10 and then come back on and run for several minutes. It's like it gets started, hiccups, stops, and restarts and then runs fine until the next
time the water needs to be heated. Next time the water needs to be heated it does the same thing. So I always have hot water. But that turning off and turning back on in the beginning has got me wondering...

Is this enough info for someone to make a diagnosis?

 

[gathermewool]

Does this occur during standby conditions (on significant hot water draw), during some hot water draw or during significant hot water draw?

 

[oldhp]

Check your vent pipe for being plugged up. The burner comes on, uses all the oxygen then goes out, oxygen comes back, burner relights. My old furnace did same exact thing. Vent that went into chimney was plugged right at the vent level.

 

[Ken42]

Flame sensor. Should have a pro look at it.

 

[Fitter30]

Is pilot always burning or does it light everytime the burner comes on? Turn thermostat down if it's burning wait a minute then turn it up hotter than normal to force burner on and see if it acts the same way. After a minute turn it back to normal. By forcing burner on and if it acts the same it probably not the thermostat.

 

[Gebo]

Should be able to check some of your suggestions friday.