Forum Discussion

rclassic99's avatar
rclassic99
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013

help with water heater check valve

I have a 2005 coachmen Aurora 3480 with a 10 gal Atwood water heater. I get no water flow from the water heater to all hot water taps, the pump does not even start. When I put the bypass valve to the winterize position I now get water flow to the hot water taps. Not the hot water of course because I am by passing the water heater. The picture in my manual shows there are 2 bypass valves but I can only find one! In a separate place in the manual it shows there is only 1 bypass valve and only 1 check valve at hot water side. All of my other plumbing appears to be OK.
I am thinking it is a "check valve" problem. Any input or help would be greatly appreciated!!!
Thanks in advance
Vaughn

8 Replies

  • rclassic99's avatar
    rclassic99
    Explorer
    Oct 17, 2013
    Kirk,
    I put a manual valve inline to replace the check valve. Many rigs are set up this way.
    Vaughn
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Oct 16, 2013
    We have 3 valve system and no check valve.
    No back flow, no lack of hot water due to stuck/failed check valve.

    T-stats will shut off electric/gas heat when tank temp reaches set point.....so even without water the tank will not be damaged. Electric element may burn out due to lack of water but tank will be OK (Damage could occur if tank was HOT and cold water was put into the HOT tank)
  • Kirk's avatar
    Kirk
    Explorer
    Oct 16, 2013
    There is no problem operating with no check valve but there are some things to keep in mind. First of all, you can get a back flow to cause hot water to enter the cold water lines in some cases, and if the water line should ever rupture or for some reason loose water supply with the water heater operating, the lack of a check valve will mean that the water heater tank will drain and the heat will stay on, thus ruining the tank. The check valve is there as a safety device so it would be wise to in time put one in.
  • rclassic99's avatar
    rclassic99
    Explorer
    Oct 16, 2013
    The trouble was the check valve. I removed the check valve as Larry suggested and added a manual shut off valve as CloudDriver recommended .To Old-Biscuit... Thank you for helping me to understand the mystery of why there are different numbers of manual shut off valves and why some rigs have check valves and some do not!
    Thanks to all.
    Vaughn
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Oct 14, 2013
    IF you have 3 valve system on water heater.....no check valves

    BUT if you have a 2 valve or 1 valve system then there is a check valve on hot water heater outlet.
    It is internal of the nipple on tank........hot out is at top.
    They fall apart and/or get clogged with scale/debris....then no hot water leaves tank

    Check valve is only needed when bypassing water heater....winterizing or if doing repairs to water heater
  • CloudDriver's avatar
    CloudDriver
    Explorer
    Oct 14, 2013
    From your description it does sound like a stuck check valve. The check valve should be on the hot water outlet high up. Cold water normally enters lower down.

    If you decide to eliminate the check valve as Larry suggests, install a manual shutoff so the water heater doesn't fill with antifreeze when winterizing.
  • larry_barnhart's avatar
    larry_barnhart
    Explorer
    Oct 14, 2013
    If the check valve is bad no water enters the water heater. I just replaced ours 2 days ago. I removed the check valve 5 years ago because the rv stores were not open for a replacement. You can remove yours and gut it so it is a straight flow like a pipe nipple.
    chevman

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