Forum Discussion

reinita's avatar
reinita
Explorer
Jul 06, 2017

Solved! Help: water heater bypass valve won't budge

I know I need to turn the top valve perpendicular to the water line, but the thing won't budge. The bottom valve didn't give me any trouble.

Help, please?

Our water heater isn't working (we never use it anyway) and we don't have the tools to tighten the anode rod, so water spews out if we try to use any water in our motor home. The RV shop told us to bypass the water heater until we can get what we need to install the anode, but I can't get that top valve to turn.

I can barely fit my hand in that cabinet so don't know what else to do.

Thanks!
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Not using hot water is not an issue, and depending on where you are parked NOT AN ISSUE.. I recall one August Sunday I had forgot to turn the water heater on (Do not know why it was off) when I was down in GA.. NOT a problem lots of shower hot water courtesy of Sol Water Heater Company (That is the sun folks) I had solar heated water.

    However back in my Trailer days.. I used a 25 cup Party Percolator All the hot I needed
  • I am mostly wondering how they don't use the water heater ever.
  • gbopp wrote:
    Why not leave your post and tell us how you solved the problem?
    Maybe someone else has a similar problem and you can give them some advice.


    YES--Please!

    And more info on your water heater....3 valves etc.


    Having an anode rod clearly makes it a Suburban because Atwood doesn't come with/need one.
    SO you need a 1 1/16" 6 point socket with extension to tighten anode rod.
  • Why not leave your post and tell us how you solved the problem?
    Maybe someone else has a similar problem and you can give them some advice.
  • Solved the problem. Will remove post when I am on my laptop. Thanks!