Water heater mystery?

[EA37TS]

Something else to try. Put on a glove and try opening the water heater's pressure relief valve. This will verify there is actually water in the water heater and relieve any possible vapor/air lock. You can also try having someone open a hot water faucet at the same time you are opening the pressure relief valve.

Again just something to try.

[Spower]

Originally Posted by EA37TS

Something else to try. Put on a glove and try opening the water heater's pressure relief valve. This will verify there is actually water in the water heater and relieve any possible vapor/air lock. You can also try having someone open a hot water faucet at the same time you are opening the pressure relief valve.

Again just something to try.

Yup water in there, no air came out.

[JimD]

I just replaced my tankless water heater with a tank model. There was a check valve on the inlet side apparently to prevent hot water from getting back into the cold side. I installed a new one with the new tank.

Anyway, if you have a check valve maybe it seizes up when it gets hot. Just thinking outside of the box. I included a picture of a check valve.

[Spower]

Originally Posted by JimD

I just replaced my tankless water heater with a tank model. There was a check valve on the inlet side apparently to prevent hot water from getting back into the cold side. I installed a new one with the new tank.

Anyway, if you have a check valve maybe it seizes up when it gets hot. Just thinking outside of the box. I included a picture of a check valve.

Yeah from my research this is one of the symptoms of a usually clogged check valve. I'm hoping that isn't it since it's new and it's also not real easy to get to.

I wrote to Dometic about the issue but have't heard back yet

[RetiredOne]

Originally Posted by Spower

Yeah from my research this is one of the symptoms of a usually clogged check valve. I'm hoping that isn't it since it's new and it's also not real easy to get to.

Have you tried flipping that red bypass valve back and forth a few times? How about trying the hot water with it in the other position? Wouldn't be the first time Jayco switched up lines....

[Spower]

Originally Posted by RetiredOne

Have you tried flipping that red bypass valve back and forth a few times? How about trying the hot water with it in the other position? Wouldn't be the first time Jayco switched up lines....

Yeah I moved it back and forth, it's set up right, after I dewinterized it and moved it to normal you could hear the water go into the heater.

Keep the ideas comin!

[RetiredOne]

Is your water heater in the area of your bathroom? I was trying to find a picture of your rig, and I think I saw the water heater just in front of the slide, in the area of the wardrobe or washer/dryer. Is that correct?

If so, did you dig around in the wardrobe or washer area, to see if there is an hidden access panel or other valves? On that model heater, I'm surprised there isn't other shutoff or supply valves going to it, besides your water control panel.

[Spower]

Originally Posted by RetiredOne

Is your water heater in the area of your bathroom? I was trying to find a picture of your rig, and I think I saw the water heater just in front of the slide, in the area of the wardrobe or washer/dryer. Is that correct?

If so, did you dig around in the wardrobe or washer area, to see if there is an hidden access panel or other valves? On that model heater, I'm surprised there isn't other shutoff or supply valves going to it, besides your water control panel.

How did you find my water heater? Where did you look?
That is where it is, I can get to it sort of by pulling out a drawer under the wardrobe. It's very tight but I don't see and valves.

This is what Dometic sent me......
Have you tried opening the pressure relief valve? One thing you could try is getting a gallon, opening up the PT valve and timing how long it takes to fill up that gallon

First, is PT valve the pressure release? And second what will the speed of filling a gallon tell me?

[Spower]

Here is a picture of the back of my water heater and what I think is the check valve?

[WeRJuliian]

"PT valve' is short for "Pressure/Temperature Relief Valve"... so yes, it's the valve with the red lever on top

[Spower]

Ok, so I checked P/T, seemed fine. Played with bypass valve opening and closing it. I found no other valves behind heater or around water pump. Then I knocked on the check valve some. Figured if something lodged in there maybe it would come loose.
Then I fired up the water heater and let it run till it shut off. Pressure is way better! So now not sure which if the things I did helped but it seems to be ok right now. Pressure is still a little stronger when water is cold but it is better than it was before. Fingers crossed it stays this way!
Once again thanks to all of you that gave me ideas and tried to help! I really appreciate it!!

[Cavie]

Originally Posted by Spower

It is, otherwise there would not be water in there. It has water.

Going out on a limb here but would being hooked up to 15 amps be a problem? Out on a limb since I was using the gas side of the heater and not the electric.

It is a plumbing problem. Not electric.

[Spower]

Originally Posted by Cavie

It is a plumbing problem. Not electric.

ummm.... see post #31 above

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by Spower

Ok, so I checked P/T, seemed fine. Played with bypass valve opening and closing it. I found no other valves behind heater or around water pump. Then I knocked on the check valve some. Figured if something lodged in there maybe it would come loose.
Then I fired up the water heater and let it run till it shut off. Pressure is way better! So now not sure which if the things I did helped but it seems to be ok right now. Pressure is still a little stronger when water is cold but it is better than it was before. Fingers crossed it stays this way!
Once again thanks to all of you that gave me ideas and tried to help! I really appreciate it!!

Rather than cross my fingers, I would probably replace that check valve. Or at least have one on hand in case it happens again.

Kind of like thumping a stuck fuel pump to get it to spin. It's not a permanent solution, but it may get you moving again and buy you just a little more time.

[Cavie]

Originally Posted by Spower

ummm.... see post #31 above

yep. I was typing the same time you were

[Spower]

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

Rather than cross my fingers, I would probably replace that check valve. Or at least have one on hand in case it happens again.

Kind of like thumping a stuck fuel pump to get it to spin. It's not a permanent solution, but it may get you moving again and buy you just a little more time.

Is the black part in my picture the check valve?? What stores would have one or do I have to get it online?

[Spower]

I want to try a new check valve....do I have to buy it online? If not what stores would have it?
Is the black part in the picture the check valve??

Thanks everybody!!!

[Cavie]

Originally Posted by Spower

I want to try a new check valve....do I have to buy it online? If not what stores would have it?
Is the black part in the picture the check valve??

Thanks everybody!!!

good hardware store.

[Spower]

Originally Posted by Cavie

good hardware store.

Is the black part in the picture the check valve??

[kevysinc]

I would think the check valve should be on the cold water inlet to the tank