"Terry" wrote in message
...
What you're describing sounds like a flame guard system.


No idea what it is. The tube is about 180 from the gas control. Comes out
the bottom of the heater where the gas burner is, travels up the rear of the
tank, then merges into a flat stamped steel assembly that takes it to the
flue. The tube is painted white, so it doesn't get hot. Unless it's double
walled?? Before I posted here, -zero, I searched the web and found nothing.
Apparently you thought the tube was inside the heater and I have X-Ray
vision

Al

"Big Al" wrote in message
...
Was at a friend's house. His water heater has about a 3" tube going from
the
bottom to the top. It goes across the top to the vent. Seems like it
connects the burner to the vent pipe. The heater looks new. What is it?

Al