HWH Check Valves - Tools?

[Kyle241]

Hi,

I have read over many posts about the dreaded check valve issue and I am currently experiencing it. One of the valves is making the high pitch noise so I went out yesterday and purchased a new one (no not two, I should have). I knew about the small opening to access the back of the HWH as I had to replace heating element not too long ago. Based on the vibration (had DW turn on hot water while holding lower check valve), it appears to be the lower (intake) valve. Well I have to ask, what tools did you use to loosen the plastic connectors? I have a 90 degree directly attached to the HWH, small piece of pipe and then a plastic connector to the valve. My problem like many is space, how did you get your monkey arms in there to take everything apart? I have what seems to be another pipe (LP?) directly in my way of accessing the valve and it's not flexible. And finally how on earth did you get to the one at the top of the HWH??? I can't reach that on my back and I am a small guy. Any advice tips would be VERY helpful!

Tks.
Kyle

[indiana journey]

Kyle,
I'm not familiar with the lay-out of your HWH. When I changed the check valves on my Journey I had to use a faucet wrench to be able to reach them and get them loose and to tighten them. It won't be easy since they were installed before any of the "covers" were put in place. Good luck.
Indiana Journey

[Kyle241]

Thanks Indiana, I'll look for one today. I did read in old posts that someone mentioned a 1" socket for removing and tightening the valve, it's the plastic connectors that I am concerned about because my vise grips were stripping them bad.

I didn't take a photo of the setup but I can describe both valves are behind my HWH, one at the bottom and one at the top. The additional piping in the way appears to be for LP and that is why I do not wish to play around with moving that. Basically it's the tight quarters that has me pondering just how anybody got this done because many tools are 8"+ and there isn't much room for anything that size.

[Paul T]

What is it with these the 2006 38T model and HWH. I lost a high pressure line to the front cylinder of my forward slide and then 2 months later got stuck unable to retract slides or extend jacks due to a failure of the “shuttle valve”. Did someone decide to use old recalled parts on our rigs? For a coach less than 3 years old I’m disappointed at the reliability of the HWH system I have.

HWH has a great website with numerous trouble shooting resources which I recommend to anyone who intends to get their fingers near the system and I strongly suggest reading everything you can get your hands on prior to attempting a repair. The website also has a section where you can email a question to HWH concerning a problem with their products. I found that service very helpful in that Joe at HWH confirmed a hunch I had leading to replacing the “shuttle valve” instead of purchasing a pressure gauge to check pump output pressure.

The more you fiddle around with accessing the check valves and so forth the easier it becomes. I worked on it with the forward slide out and also with the slide in and found accessing the pump/reservoir/check valves nearly as easy with the slide in as with it extended. However, the shuttle valve was on top and was very easy to get at sitting on a stool.

Please pass along any tricks you learn replacing your check valve, what tools you used or any other tips. I suspect I’ll be spending more time in the future with hydraulic fluid dipping down my arm.

[Harry B]

Paul T..... In this post HWH is referring to the Hot Water Heater.
The tittle of the post also had me confused and thought it was a problem with HWH Corporation's hydraulic system.

[ernieh]

I can't remember exactly how I did it on my Journey, but I didn't need anything other than open end wrenches and water pump pliers. I might have detatched the line at an elbow further away from the tank and rotated it down for better access.

A crowfoot wrench might help you, but I know that I didn't need one on my unit. The good news is that the fittings are not real tight, so your wrenches do not necessarily need to be 90 deg. to do the job.

Good luck

[MrTransistor]

This wrench works great and is available at Home Depot or Lowes in the plumbing department.

http://www.irv2.com/attachments/phot...osit_small.jpg

[AFChap]

Quote:

In this post HWH is referring to the Hot Water Heater. The tittle of the post also had me confused

Ditto ... actually, there is no such thing as a hot water heater ... it is a cold water heater, and creates hot water

[smlranger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ernieh I can't remember exactly how I did it on my Journey, but I didn't need anything other than open end wrenches and water pump pliers. I might have detatched the line at an elbow further away from the tank and rotated it down for better access. A crowfoot wrench might help you, but I know that I didn't need one on my unit. The good news is that the fittings are not real tight, so your wrenches do not necessarily need to be 90 deg. to do the job. Good luck

My PM list includes replacing the check valves on my water heater since our hot water flow seems diminished. I was thinking I would have to remove the water heater to do the job. The only access as I recall to mine is a small door on the bottom. Were you able to do the job thru that small opening?

Also, curious why two valves are needed. Would think a one way valve on the cold water inlet would do the job.

[ernieh]

smlranger,

I accessed thru the panel on the bottom as well as the access plate for the electric connections. I believe the "other " check valve is necessary because of the way they designed the WH bypass system.

[Kyle241]

Sorry for the confusion on the 'HWH' acronym, perhaps we should less of these but it is a way of life now, especially in my work (software).

MrTransitor, thanks for the pic on the tool. That would work well on plastic fittings and if it stops raining today, I'll pick one up.

[joatmon]

You can get to the bottom check valve from under the motorhome.

[Wizard]

The best way I found to replace the check valve was to beg one of my nephews to crawl in. He did an excellent job and only cost me a beer.