I have a 3 year old ge smartwater gas water heater. in our ontario winters, the gravity vented unit spills exhaust into the basement because the pipe and chimney get too cold after the heater is off for an extended period. have cleaned chimney and opened basement window 1/2 inch to equalize pressure. didnt help. can i turn up the pilot light to keep the vent pipe and chimney warmer?

You can't. You need a new ignitor. The only way to do it would be to change to an older style gas valve with a standing pilot and a thermocouple. This would be cost prohibitive. Also, if this is a power-vented heater, you can't change to conventional pilot because the gas valve links to the control circuit for the blower. An old gas valve does not. Good luck!

GE is Rheem.
Models change frequently.
Copy following link for troubleshoot resources by type of gas control valve.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html#intellivent

Newer water heaters require frequent air intake cleaning.
To do this with Rheem requires removal of combustion parts, and then air compressor to blow out screen.
It is probably time to have a plumber give water heater a catch-up on recommended maintained, such as checking gas pressure, bleeding gas line, checking vent draft, clean combustion parts, clean air intake, check if gas control is working correctly.

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

You're probably in for a service call and/or possibly water heater replacement if unit is more that 5-6 years old.
Your water heater plugs into outlet. Check outlet with cheap circuit analyzer to make sure the unit is receiving correct polarity without line interference.
If unit is in the attic, then add more venting to soffit and roof so pilot is not being snuffed out by hot air. If unit is in basement, then open some doors and a window and see if unit needs more air.
Most gas water heaters require yearly cleaning and service.
Clean the combustion parts and tubes.
Clean the air intake.
Have gas company check gas pressure.
Open following link for possible illustrations:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html#troubleshoot

The problem can be bad gas control valve, air in gas line, low gas pressure, gas shut off handle not fully parallel with gas line, dirty combustion parts, lack of combustion air, improper venting. Or combination of all things. It's an electronic gizmo, anything can be bad or shorted, and repair may not last long.

Without a trained service technician to ohm-test the parts using correct service manual, then we are guessing at the cause.

Power vent water heater implies that you have side wall venting which must be replaced with another side-wall vented unit -or- it implies rapid reheating of water.

If water heater is more than 6 years old, you might be money ahead by installing a new one from local box store. Avoid the power vent and electronics. Local box store will have passive roof-venting type water heater BUT box store does not sell side-wall power vent. If your power vent goes up through the roof, then box-store variety gas water heater will work. Total cost $350 do-it-yourself for 40 gallon gas.
Or get 40 gallon 240Volt electric for $220 and connect to circuit breaker box. Requires no venting, and is easy to repair for years to come.
Or small 120Volt electric that plugs into outlet to tide you over until gas repairs can be made.
Look for scratch-n-dent models and always offer 10% off.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html
Shower uses 5-9 gallons hot water.

A 10 year old water heater is at the end of its life expectancy. No sense replacing a gas valve to have the tank rust out next month. I'ld replace the whole unit. Also, install a drip pan, under it and a WAGS safety device. Any water in the pan and the WAGS will shut off he Water and Gas. If your water heater has an expansion tank near by, replace that too.

Problem can also be lack of air to the combustion area. Vacuum the area towards the bottom of the tank where the vent holes are. Also, I had a resident that had fans blowing out of her apartment windows this summer. We had the same problem with the pilot light and even replaced the thermocouple. Problem continued and even had CO in the home when the tank was firing. She was creating a back draft and pulling the exhaust gases into the apartment from the hotwater tank. It took time to figure it out.

Hi try to tighten the cover first if heaters good look at price of regulator change

Called GE and there is a glass vile under the burner that is defective and cuts off the oxygen.
They are mailing out a replacement to my house & have contracted a plumber to install. waiting 4 days now. They say that the glass vile incinerates and there is not any thing left to it. The burner area is full of black soot. will post again one fixed.

Look and see if your pilots flame is touching the themocoupling ,if it isnt then cleane your pilot orfice.If that dosnt work replace thethermocoupler.I would also check the draw. Hold alit match or a cigerett up to the draft diverter (the air space between your heater and the vent. If it dosent draw the smoke up the vent it meanes your vent is stoped up or you need to raise it.

find out if it does the same noise with the venting disconnected

yes, provided there is no excessive build up. The gas and air mix must be right before the mixture will ignit. a household stove will do this each time it's turned on. That's why yhe igniter sparkk hits about three times before it lights. proper venting will confine any fumes to the cimbustion chamber to be carried out the exhaust. If the odor is strong then have the appliance checked for safety sake.