water heater noise

[olly72]

Hi All: I have a 2008 itasca sunrise with a 10 gal atwood water heater. recently I have a whinning sound coming from the heater when I turn the hot water on. It also whines for a couple of seconds when I turn the cold water on but that sound stops while the hot water on makes the whinning sound continueously. I emptied the tank and refilled it with a hot water faucet open to let the air out. The pressure relief valve is working properly. If I slow the water going into the tank the whinning stops. I cannot see the inlet or outlet lines on the back of the tank where I think there is a check valve that might be causing the problem. Any ideas will be appreciated.

thanks Russ

[Izzyblueye]

You have the classic check valve problem. It will get worse and then one day the hot water will not flow. You might as well bite the bullet and get them replaced with the better grade brass check valves. There is no inherent danger involved, just inconvenience.

[RickO]

Homer, are the check valve and pressure relief valve the same thing? I have the same problem with mine but it started after I had cleaned the heater and figured I had forced some debris into an elbow or something.

[Izzyblueye]

No Rick they are not the same thing. The check valves are usually behind the water heater. The pressure relief valve is on the front of the tank and would not cause the problem you are hearing. The buzzing, if you will, is the cheap check valves, most OEM are plastic and they lose their ability to seal properly. You can completely remove them, but then if you winterize you will use a lot of anti-freeze. Some guys put in gate valves but it usually a real bear of a place to work in.

[Vegasdan]

I've got to say this. I also hear a whining noise before I fire up the heater. It's my DW wanting to take a shower.

[RickO]

Thanks Homer. I've got a new bad guy to chase!

[Alvinsolar]

Hi,
I think u need to switch to eco home heater if possible... It's durable and works better then any other heater...

[RickO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alvinsolar Hi, I think u need to switch to eco home heater if possible... It's durable and works better then any other heater...

Sure sounds like an ad to me ...

[RVThere]

Russ and RickO,

Did you ever change your check valve and did it stop the noise when you use the hot water heater?

My plumbing is started to make a noise when I turn on the hot water.

Thanks!

[RickO]

Haven't changed mine yet so the sound is still there.

Rick