Discovery: No Hot water at faucets

[Tow Bus]

Hello there,
We purchased a 2008 Fleetwood Discovery 39R about a year and half ago and are finding out all of the problems it has slowly but surely.
Anyway, the latest problem that I have not been able to correct is the fact that we do not have HOT water at any of the faucets. I have followed others advice on past threads, to check bypass valve, close outside shower valves, clean out the water filter system, and do a tune up in the hot water heater (i.e: clean out vent and adjust flame).
We recently went on a trip and at the campground, I hooked up as normal. Hooked water hose up to input and turned bypass valve to city water intake. Turned on water heater switches for both electric and gas. After leaving and coming home 5-6 hours later, there is still only luke warm water in the shower and other faucets. In the shower, we only turn on the hot valve and leave the cold completely off and it only gets warm, not hot!
I then went out to the water heater and let some of the water out to check temp and it was very hot. So I think I can rule out the thermostats and hot water heater working correctly.
Somewhere, I am losing my hot water to cold water but, I'll be darned if I can figure out what is up!
I've been reading and reading but can't seem to find the solution yet so, here I am waiting for the fix!!

[ww1wxradio]

Never heard of a bypass valve to run off city water. Usually you just hook hose up and it is there. Are you sure you are not turning the water heater bypass valve which is why no hot water??

[jacwjames]

What kind of water heater is it.

On some Atwood WH's they use a mixing valve.

[Old-Biscuit]

One of the Options for your MH was a 16 gallon Gas/Electric Water Heater

That would be an Atwood XT Model
10 Gallon tank but uses a higher temp T-stat (155*F) and a Mixing Valve on tank Hot outlet that controls to 130*F

BUT if Hot out check valve and internals of the Mixing valve can get crud/calcium build up and end up with just luke warm even cold water flowing thru hot water lines

Mixing valves can be soaked in hot vinegar to remove some of the crud but if too bad it is easier/faster to replace

Here is info about your XT Water Heater
https://techsupport.pdxrvwholesale.c...ser-Manual.pdf


https://pdxrvwholesale.com/products/...xt-tune-up-kit

[Tow Bus]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

One of the Options for your MH was a 16 gallon Gas/Electric Water Heater

That would be an Atwood XT Model
10 Gallon tank but uses a higher temp T-stat (155*F) and a Mixing Valve on tank Hot outlet that controls to 130*F

BUT if Hot out check valve and internals of the Mixing valve can get crud/calcium build up and end up with just luke warm even cold water flowing thru hot water lines

Mixing valves can be soaked in hot vinegar to remove some of the crud but if too bad it is easier/faster to replace

Here is info about your XT Water Heater
https://techsupport.pdxrvwholesale.c...ser-Manual.pdf


https://pdxrvwholesale.com/products/...xt-tune-up-kit

So, how do I get to the mixing valve? I looked in the closet at the rear of the bus but can't get to it from there. Do I take the wh out to get to it?

[Tow Bus]

Originally Posted by jacwjames

What kind of water heater is it.

On some Atwood WH's they use a mixing valve.

It is an Atwood. I don't know how to find the mixing valve

[Old-Biscuit]

Mixing Valve is mounted on backside of WH Tank along with cold/hot water lines

Access to backside of WH could be via a false panel, (wall or floor)
Sometimes the water heater has to be removed.....Yikes!

Locate the front of WH then look in area DIRECTLY behind it in the MH

[Toribk]

Access to the mixing valve on my Discovery 2012 40X is via the closet in the bedroom.

Their is a cover in the far left corner you lift up and the remove the styrofoam cover off the unit. There is both the check valve and mixing valve that are suspect when hot water flow is minimal at the faucets or shower.

In my particular case, their was no room to remove either unless you unscrewed the water heater mounting screws outside and slide the unit out about 6 inches. You only have to disconnect the copper propane line to do so.

[Toribk]

I failed to mention that if you go through all the aggravation to gain access to the back of your water heater, I highly suggest you take the old mixing valve and check valve and donate them directly to the underwater reef program and replace with new parts.....trust me.

[dabdisc]

We have a 08 Discovery and WH access is under the false bottom inside of curbside closet. In ours the subwoofer sits on top and velcro'd to sidewall.

We had the very little to no hot water on our trip to MI this year and finally traced to mixing valve and evidenced by the crud on the drain plug when we returned and winterized. I have a new mixing valve I will install next spring.

QUESTION: Check valve ?? is this internal in the ball valve??

I do not see any reference to it in my manual or the one OB attached and would like to not miss anything when I get this fixed next spring.

Many thanks to all in advance.

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by dabdisc

We have a 08 Discovery and WH access is under the false bottom inside of curbside closet. In ours the subwoofer sits on top and velcro'd to sidewall.

We had the very little to no hot water on our trip to MI this year and finally traced to mixing valve and evidenced by the crud on the drain plug when we returned and winterized. I have a new mixing valve I will install next spring.

QUESTION: Check valve ?? is this internal in the ball valve??

I do not see any reference to it in my manual or the one OB attached and would like to not miss anything when I get this fixed next spring.

Many thanks to all in advance.

Check valve......hot outlet port/mixing valve should have inlet screen

[dabdisc]

Thanks for the clarification OB!

As long as I was going to be in there I am going to change the electric heat element - any issues with frozen threads and should I use anti seize on the replacement?

Again - many thanks in advance.

[Old-Biscuit]

No anti-seize needed on electric element. Comes with a NEW gasket

Biggest issue is access...........1 1/2" 6 point thin walled socket works best
Element is roughly 9 1/2" long

120VAC 1400W Element
Atwood 92249
*or go to Big Box store/ACE is buy one

[dabdisc]

Thanks OB - it will be a spring project. Snowing up here now.

Happy Holidays!