Community Forums

nehog · 01-31-2019, 09:28 AM

I'm having a problem where my hot water stops unexpectedly. No, it doesn't turn cold, the flow completely stops. If I go out and flip the valve to bypass (winterize) and back to normal it will work OK for a while (perhaps a day) then it happens again.

I'm thinking either the bypass valve (ours is manual, throw the valve on the back of the water heater,) or (if there is one) the check valve...

I'm needing:

1. A diagram of how this valve is setup. For example is there a check valve, or does the bypass also function as a check valve. Anyone got a plumbing diagram for the water heater?
2. Has anyone else seen this happen?
3. Any suggestions on procedure? I'm willing to remove it for now since we're full-timing for the winter, then I can properly fix it in the summer when we get back home.

Repeatedly exercising the valve doesn't seem to clear the blockage.

Old-Biscuit · 01-31-2019, 10:08 AM

Winnebago likes to install 'check valves' on Cold Inlet and on Hot Outlet on water heaters.
What you have going on is one of those check valves is failing....clogging up/restricting flow.
Then when you open/close Bypass valve you allow cold to hot water flow which is disrupting the the clog in check valve

The HOT Outlet check valve is the common one that causes problems due to the scale/calcium etc from inside of water heater getting into the check valve

Check valve is inside the 'nipple' that is screwed into the Hot Out on water heater (top line)....hot water line connects to that fitting.
Will need to disconnect hot line, then remove the nipple/check valve .
Then you can remove the internals/check valve from nipple and just reuse nipple w/o the internals.

Later on replace with new check valve/nipple OR install a shutoff valve on hot out line (on water heater tank side of where bypass line connects)

l1v3fr33ord1 · 01-31-2019, 12:23 PM

Peter-

Listen to "Old-Biscuit."

In the meantime, post a picture of the rear of the water heater (showing the inlet and outlet) and a picture of the bypass valve.

Our 2008 HR had a three-way bypass valve and a check valve on the hot water outlet. Both are gone now. "Old-Biscuit" advises removing them all and replacing the three-way with three discrete valves, which I did.

nehog · 01-31-2019, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

...

Check valve is inside the 'nipple' that is screwed into the Hot Out on water heater (top line)....hot water line connects to that fitting.
Will need to disconnect hot line, then remove the nipple/check valve .
Then you can remove the internals/check valve from nipple and just reuse nipple w/o the internals.

Later on replace with new check valve/nipple OR install a shutoff valve on hot out line (on water heater tank side of where bypass line connects)

That's my thoughts. I was wondering were the checkvalve was actually located...

Quote:

Originally Posted by l1v3fr33ord1

Peter-

Listen to "Old-Biscuit."

In the meantime, post a picture of the rear of the water heater (showing the inlet and outlet) and a picture of the bypass valve.

Our 2008 HR had a three-way bypass valve and a check valve on the hot water outlet. Both are gone now. "Old-Biscuit" advises removing them all and replacing the three-way with three discrete valves, which I did.

I'll shoot a picture tomorrow and post it. I suspect your 08 and my 06 are very similar. Since I don't use antifreeze to winterize I don't feel bad about eliminating the bypass.

My biggest problem is that I'm in a campground, have somewhat limited tools, working space, and health issues. I'm kind of hoping I can just bypass the whole thing until summer when we get home.

nehog · 02-01-2019, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by l1v3fr33ord1

...
In the meantime, post a picture of the rear of the water heater (showing the inlet and outlet) and a picture of the bypass valve...

Here are the photos. I'm guessing that the item between the hot water outlet, and the the T on the bypass valve is my errant check valve.

On the good side is that it has started to 'self repair.' Yesterday it went out before supper but worked after for dishes. Another time in the evening it didn't work, but was OK when I took my shower before bed.

I'd be happier if it was more accessible, but one side the tanks block much of the access, and the other is just a small access port that I can only get one arm in at a time. Maybe I'll be lucky and it will make it until we get home...