Suburban Water Heater Gas Valve 161109 / 525042 (older SW models)

The Suburban 161109 Water Heater Gas Valve is an OEM replacement propane gas valve used on earlier-production Suburban SW Series direct spark ignition (DSI) RV water heaters. The valve controls propane flow to the burner during the ignition cycle and shuts off the gas supply when the water heater is not calling for heat.

Suburban 161109 is supplied as service kit 525042. Because Suburban changed gas valves during SW Series production, your water heater model and serial number should be checked before ordering.

Suburban Part Number: 161109
Service Kit Number: 525042

Application: Suburban SW Series DSI Water Heaters

Fits Suburban SW Series Water Heaters

6-Gallon Models

• SW6D / SW6DE / SW6DEL

  • Serial number 953401119 through 164513432 — Suburban 161109 / 525042 is the correct gas valve

  • Serial number 164513433 and above — use Suburban 161306

  • Serial number 953401118 and below — verify the original valve before ordering because an earlier valve may be required

10-Gallon Models

• SW10D / SW10DE / SW10DEL

  • Serial number 953601022 through 164015530 — Suburban 161109 / 525042 is the correct gas valve

  • Serial number 164015531 and above — use Suburban 161306

  • Serial number 953601021 and below — verify the original valve before ordering because an earlier valve may be required

12-Gallon Models

• SW12D / SW12DE / SW12DEL

  • Earlier-production SW12 models through serial number 164513462 use the Suburban 161109 / 525042 gas valve

  • Serial number 164513463 and above — use Suburban 161306

16-Gallon Models

• SW16D / SW16DE / SW16DEL

  • Earlier-production SW16 models through serial number 165012120 use the Suburban 161109 / 525042 gas valve

  • Serial number 165012121 and above — use Suburban 161306

Important: Suburban specifically lists 161109 / 525042 for 6-gallon units above serial number 953401118, 10-gallon units above serial number 953601021, and 12- and 16-gallon SW Series water heaters. Later-production SW models changed to Suburban 161306 at the serial-number breaks listed above.

Signs of a Bad Suburban Water Heater Gas Valve

Common symptoms include:

• Burner does not receive propane

• Water heater sparks but will not ignite

• Gas valve does not open during the ignition sequence

• Intermittent burner operation

• Burner repeatedly attempts to ignite

• Burner shuts down unexpectedly

• Valve receives proper voltage but fails to open

Estimated Installation Time

20–40 minutes

Tools Required

• Adjustable wrench

• Open-end wrenches

• Screwdriver

• Multimeter for troubleshooting

• Approved propane leak detection solution

Potential Issues

Before replacing the gas valve, verify the propane supply, 12V power, control board output, thermostat/ECO circuit, igniter, burner assembly, wiring, and ground connections. A water heater that sparks but does not ignite does not automatically indicate a failed gas valve.

After installation, all propane connections should be checked carefully for leaks before operating the water heater.

Suburban 161109 / 525042 is designed for earlier-production Suburban SW Series DSI water heaters. Always compare your water heater model and serial number with the fitment ranges above before ordering.