Winterizing problem.

Question

When I was winterizing my Big Country today I did the usual, turn the Anderson valve to winterize and flip the red handle of the hot water heater bypass to bypass the hot water tank. Put my hose into the antifreeze jug and turned on the pump. Antifreeze flowed through the faucets
etc. with no problem but when I turned off the faucets I noticed the pump cycling about every 5 seconds. Was wondering what was going on. Went back outside to check the jug and after listening to the pump short cycle for a bit I saw antifreeze start to drip out of the hot water heater. Stopped wen I turned the pup off. I'm thinking that the red handled bypass valve is defective and is letting antifreeze through to the tank. No leak behind the udc. Worked fine last year when winterizing Does that sound reasonable or could it be something else ? Thanks in advance.

beverley_ken · Answer

With the one valve bypass, there is a one way check valve on the hot water output side. It's not uncommon for this valve to fail and either stop the hot water flow or let water (antifreeze) flow back into the tank.
Simple, easy to replace, on the back of the hot water tank. I paid about $8 for one about 3 yrs ago

It could also be the bypass valve, not fully engaged in bypass position.

Ken

old-biscuit · Answer

Yep^^^^^^^^^^Ken covered it.Personally I get rid of those check valves and install shutoff valves (3 valve system....cold/bypass/hot---no check valves)

buckeyebob · Answer

i have the exact same problem,turned to bypass went inside,turned pump on and opened faucet and nothing happened.went outside and antifreeze pouring out of hw heater.note this bypass valve was leaking last camping trip,luckily i found it as pump kept burping .worked bypass handle and leak stopped.i would replace it before our florida winter trip ,my unit has pex hoses with clamps crimped,also where can i find replacement bypass valve ?round1 1/2 inch white 2015 montana high country 310 re
ned

joegray · Answer

I have the same problem.  I have a Atwood 6gal tank that thinks it a 10gal. I just bought some clear plastic tube and some plastic fittings and bypassed the whole tank. The threads are a bit different so don't get aggressive on tightening the fittings,used some thread tape and made sure I did not let the system pressurize,just enough to get the antifreeze to flow.  I have  been told the mixing valve is not working properly, letting liquid flow back into the tank.

old-biscuit · Answer

joegray wrote:I have the same problem.  I have a Atwood 6gal tank that thinks it a 10gal. I just bought some clear plastic tube and some plastic fittings and bypassed the whole tank. The threads are a bit different so don't get aggressive on tightening the fittings,used some thread tape and made sure I did not let the system pressurize,just enough to get the antifreeze to flow.  I have  been told the mixing valve is not working properly, letting liquid flow back into the tank.You have an XT model........6 gallons nominal but get the equivalent of 10 gallons due to the higher temp set point (160*F) and the mixing valve (combines HOT with some cold for 130*F out).Mixing valve has check valves in both inlets which get clogged up (HOT inlet majority) ending up with just cold water

Forum Discussion

Winterizing problem.

About Fifth Wheel Group

Related Content

Winter weather without winterizing?

Winterization

WINTERIZE

Winter camping

Winterizing Question