Water heater check valve question
A while ago I asked a question in regards to a noise I had in my water heater, and the general concensus was it was the check valve. Now I want to remove it and replace it with a valve. My problem...
Forum Discussion
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Should be a plastic clip that holds the check valve internals (spring/plunger) in place.
With needle nose pliers you remove clip and then pull the check valve out of nipple.
OR take a screw driver and break it up then pull the pieces out
If you remove the clip, wouldn't the spring loaded valve launch it's self INTO the tank?
It has been a while since I replaced the check valve on my water heater But if I remember correctly the large part of the plastic plunger (center portion) of the valve was facing the tank. A spring pulled the plunger against the seat and the clip you mentioned kept the plunger from jumping into the tank due to the spring pressure.
The housing should be plastic and is removable, the problem is getting to the outside of this rascal since the body of the valve will be recessed in the insulation. Depending on the brand of water heater you can remove the insulation to get to the valve body easier.
If it is a Atwood the tank is aluminum and the insulation is a two piece molded foam. If you have enough space you can remove the strap around the foam and pull up the foam top. If not you will need to remove the water heater from your RV and strip top and bottom off.
Suburban uses fiberglass insulation with a card board like outside cover.. This one you could carefully cut the cardboard from the back, remove the insulation and get to the fitting. When done put insulation back and use aluminum HVAC tape to hold the cardboard in place.
Even if you break it off you should be able to use an INTERNAL PIPE extractor designed for plumbing to remove the portion left inside the fitting..
SEE HERE
I replaced mine with a brass swing type check valve, no more noise.
