If you have not replaced your Hot Water Heater check valves, read this.

[LK23]

Our hot water suddenly stopped flowing. Thanks to this forum I learned that many Winnie owners had the same problem with the hot water tank check valves. Once I located and removed the check valve I found it had plastic internal parts that had broken. See photo of plastic part with missing retainer.



My coach is an 2005 Itasca 40 AD manufactured in July of 2004. I understand that later models may have the better brass check valves. Earlier models have the plastic check valves.

If you have not replaced your check valves on your coach you may want to have the necessary tools on hand just in case. The check valve resquires a 1 inch wrench, preferably a ratchet wrench, see photo.



On my coach there was an access door under the motor home and towards the back side of the hot water heater. Once this door was removed I could remove the plastic water pipe nut with pliers. I then had to go to Sears and purchase a 1 inch ratchet wrench. This was the only tool with sufficient torque to loosen the defective check valve in the small space. Once removed, I gutted the valve of its defective parts and re-installed it. Its only purpose of the valve is to keep anti-freeze out of the hot water heater when winterizing. Since I blow out my lines, I did not need the check valve.

Now that the gutted valve is re-installed, I have hot water again.

[LK23]

Our hot water suddenly stopped flowing. Thanks to this forum I learned that many Winnie owners had the same problem with the hot water tank check valves. Once I located and removed the check valve I found it had plastic internal parts that had broken. See photo of plastic part with missing retainer.



My coach is an 2005 Itasca 40 AD manufactured in July of 2004. I understand that later models may have the better brass check valves. Earlier models have the plastic check valves.

If you have not replaced your check valves on your coach you may want to have the necessary tools on hand just in case. The check valve resquires a 1 inch wrench, preferably a ratchet wrench, see photo.



On my coach there was an access door under the motor home and towards the back side of the hot water heater. Once this door was removed I could remove the plastic water pipe nut with pliers. I then had to go to Sears and purchase a 1 inch ratchet wrench. This was the only tool with sufficient torque to loosen the defective check valve in the small space. Once removed, I gutted the valve of its defective parts and re-installed it. Its only purpose of the valve is to keep anti-freeze out of the hot water heater when winterizing. Since I blow out my lines, I did not need the check valve.

Now that the gutted valve is re-installed, I have hot water again.

[troth]

Nice pics LK23! And good write-up.
You're fortunate to have an access panel to the back side of the water heater. I have to undo a lot of plumbing, water pump, and completely pull the water heater out of the compartment to get access to the back on mine. It's been two years and I'm still procrastinating that job! LOL!
I too use air pressure to blow out the lines for winterizing.
Enjoy.

[Joe-K]

Great job with the write-up.

Knock on wood, our check valve hasn't acted up yet. It's waiting for a day when were parked on a muddy site in the middle of a rainstorm to break, but when it does, we'll know the fix now.

Thanks

[Izzyblueye]

LK23: Thanks for the great post with pictures. This is useful information most of us can use or will use at some point. Well done.

[John_Canfield]

Thanks for the documentation of the problem Rex! Now I wonder if I have the plastic or brass version

[glenda1908]

Thanks for the pictures and description of the repair. I'm a visual person and do much better when I can see the problem and know what to look for. We have not had a problem...yet...but now I'll know how to fix it if we do.

[rebelsbeach]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by glenda1908:
Thanks for the pictures and description of the repair. I'm a visual person and do much better when I can see the problem and know what to look for. We have not had a problem...yet...but now I'll know how to fix it if we do. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Glenda, you and I will call Lou....right?

[glenda1908]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Glenda, you and I will call Lou....right? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


You got it ! We have him on speed dial !

[NR4A]

Thanks for the great post!

Now I have to wonder which valves we have in
our 04 40AD

What is "winterizing" ? I dont think we've
had a winter in Florida in centuries.

[DonavonP]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by NR4A:

What is "winterizing" ? I dont think we've
had a winter in Florida in centuries. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

NOT FUNNY Sam.

[NR4A]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">NOT FUNNY Sam. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


Ooops.... sorry about that!

[bobpie]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Homer:
LK23: Thanks for the great post with pictures. This is useful information most of us can use or will use at some point. Well done. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hey homer, I don't think we have the check valve in our piping. Least I haven't found it yet.

[John_Canfield]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by NR4A:
--snip--What is "winterizing" ? I dont think we've
had a winter in Florida in centuries. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>My idea of winterizing is to put on a sweater and avoid shorts