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Topic: Water Heater Problem (Sorta long) (Read 17 times) previous topic - next topic
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Water Heater Problem (Sorta long)
Yahoo Message Number: 156819
Has anyone experienced a problem with the hot water heater (HWH) that apparently stems from a clogged waterline to the inlet?

Here's a play-by-play of what has happened:
 Last week we filled our fresh water tank when we arrived at our first night's destination (we do not have potable water source for filling tank at home). As usual, the pump ran until the HWH was full. I went through the procedure of establishing the air cavity. When we first tried to draw some water (not heated) from the HWH, we got a solid flow at first that slowly petered out....and the water pump did NOT come on.
 Overnight the pump kept cycling on every few minutes with a very short burp, and by morning the water in the HWH had been replenished. Again, when turning on the hot water faucet, we got a solid stream which like the first time dwindled to a trickle, then nothing. And again the pump did NOT come on.
 Yesterday I drained the tank via the drain plug, while opening the pressure relief valve to speed up the process. Overnight, with the pump "burping", the HWH did fill with water. But again the same result: turning on the hot faucet started with a good stream that dwindled to nothing.
 Meanwhile, the cold water side of things is perfectly normal. Pump comes on when there is demand, shuts off when there is not.
 So, my conclusion is that the inlet to the tank is clogged. Does anyone know if there is a filter screen in the water line where it enters the HWH?
 Life would be much simpler if this weren't a RB, where the HWH is buried behind the electrical panel and under the back of the stove. Seems like the best access would be to pull out the stove. L

OK, I'll be interested to hear what suggestions y'all might have.

Many thanks,

WxToad Aka Ted @Fort Gordon, GA
Re: Water Heater Problem (Sorta long)
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 156820
Do you have a water heater bypass valve installed?  If so could it have  turned part way?  Just thinking out things through my fingers.
Currently: 2008 36' Tiffin Open Road
Previously: 2007 Mid Bath
Re: Water Heater Problem (Sorta long)
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 156821
I had one that had similar issues and it turned out someone had used two gaskets on the old brass bypass valves and one of the gaskets had got twisted up in the valve outlet cutting the flow of water..

One way to see for sure if it is the input or on the outlet is after you fill the tank then open the over temp valve and leave open. Your pump should kick one and pump a constant stream out the over temp valve(Pop Off Valve). Just a way to try and isolate the input to the heater or lines out to your faucets. I suppose something could be blocking the outlet itself..

Good Luck chasing this Garry
Re: Water Heater Problem (Sorta long)
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 156823
If no bypass valve, or if they check out OK, I'd look for a check valve in the cold water inlet line to the HWH.
If a check valve was not opening except a tiny amount, it would slowly pressurize the tank.  When a hot water tap is opened, the pressure from the air bubble would force water out of the HWH tank but the mostly blocked check valve would not re-pressurize quickly enough and the flow would slow to a trickle.  Given enough time, the tank could slowly re-pressurize.

My $0.02, Art
Art and Barbara
Settled in Atterdag Village of Solvang
2015-2022 fulltime in a 2016 Tiffin Allegro Bus 37AP
2002-2015 2002 LD MB
Art's blog
Out the Tank Idea (or my crazee mind)...Re: [LD] Re: Water Heater Pr
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 156824
...If there is a partial obstruction, maybe try this redneck idea: remove the water heater drain plug...get a threaded (inside & out) nipple...adapt a pvc garden hose connection to the female, inside of the nipple...thread this into your tank...open your bath faucet (remove the filter screen if there is one)...hook up a garden hose to a house tap & the tank fitting you just made then back flush through the tank to the bath tub...if it does not work right away, try pulsing the hose water volume to maybe free the possible debris...never know, worth a try for a few $s of plastic fittings...easier than tearing things apart for access or not? Pray there is an EZ solution, Vaughn
 
Re: Water Heater Problem (Sorta long)
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 156830
I found thie following information on-line (http://www.rvforum.net/) while looking for solutions to your issue.

"I have a 2005 Keystone Laredo 5th wheel.  I have used it with no problems for an entire winter.  This winter we used it for about a month when suddenly we have no hot water.  The water will not flow at all when the hot water faucet is on.  Cold water runs fine when the cold faucet is open.  The water in the water heater is hot, but no hot water at all runs.  Again, when cold water is turned on, cold water comes out.  On the hot water side, no water runs at all.  I have drained the water heater, opened the hot side faucets and re-filled the system and the same thing happens.  I have also tried to open the pop off valve.  I don't know what else to do.  It is not the bypass valve by the way, I tried that also. Please help."

He posted the solution a bit later, which follows.

"It was a check valve inside the fitting on the hot water tank.  The water in the park has been cut off a few times while we were here and I guess the pressure shut the valve inside the fitting so water would not flow.  He removed the check valve from the line and it fixed the problem."  In fact, I found several people who have trouble with hot water flow and the solution was the check valve.

Finally, I found the following guidance for replacing the check value.

rv52.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Suburban-as-used-in-Heartland-RVs-Hot-Water-Heater-Troubleshooting-Guide-and-Repair-Manual.pdf

Hope some of this is helpful.

Ed & Margee Fort Worth