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Npdchief07's avatar
Npdchief07
Explorer
Nov 11, 2018

winterizing



I don't know if the picture will show so I will describe.

I don't know if my 2019 Wildwood has a bypass valve on the hot water heater. There are two valves. One on the cold line and one on the hot with a blue (cold water) line running between them.

Also I have tried to turn the valves but am afraid to force and they are not moving easily. It is currently cold here but we have not had days below freezing, just the mornings.

Any ideas or suggestions?

10 Replies

  • eaton3122's avatar
    eaton3122
    Explorer
    Nov 11, 2018
    Agree with the other posts here. I’ve got a 2019 Wildwood also, so my setup is just like this. Both valves should turn 1/4 turn clockwise. I just did mine tonight, and they were fairly tight as well. No pliers needed though, just held the valve with one hand while twisting with the other. Good luck!
  • temccarthy1's avatar
    temccarthy1
    Explorer
    Nov 11, 2018
    MFL wrote:
    ksg5000 wrote:
    Turn both valves upwards (1/4 turn) .. will bi-pass the hot water tank and route the pink fluid in the cold water line to the hot water line. Easy peasy.


    On the top valve, extra hole should be facing up, opposite the bypass. This would require turning top lever down, to move hole open to bypass, and hole open to the right line, away from heater. Can't see bottom lever very well, but to divert water to bypass, this one would be up.

    Jerry


    This answer is correct! If they are too tight, put a pliers on them.. top one turn down and bottom one turn up. Both valves will then be facing vertically to bypass your WH
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Nov 11, 2018
    ksg5000 wrote:
    Turn both valves upwards (1/4 turn) .. will bi-pass the hot water tank and route the pink fluid in the cold water line to the hot water line. Easy peasy.


    On the top valve, extra hole should be facing up, opposite the bypass. This would require turning top lever down, to move hole open to bypass, and hole open to the right line, away from heater. Can't see bottom lever very well, but to divert water to bypass, this one would be up.

    Jerry
  • ksg5000's avatar
    ksg5000
    Explorer II
    Nov 11, 2018
    Turn both valves upwards (1/4 turn) .. will bi-pass the hot water tank and route the pink fluid in the cold water line to the hot water line. Easy peasy.
  • Dick_B's avatar
    Dick_B
    Explorer
    Nov 11, 2018
    I don't have this system but I suspect the valves are quarter turn plastic on plastic which tends to take a set over time which makes them difficult to turn. You may want to hold the valve body while turning the handle.
  • jerryjay11's avatar
    jerryjay11
    Explorer
    Nov 11, 2018
    I agree with Grandpa. Those are 3-way valves or they wouldn't have three ports for the plumbing. Turning the valves will close off to tank and open the bypass (blue line).
  • Mickeyfan0805's avatar
    Mickeyfan0805
    Explorer
    Nov 11, 2018
    Yep = looks like a simple two valve system. As Jim said, turning the valve on the cold line will send it 'up the tube instead of into the tank and turning the valve on the hot line will receive that water and directed back out the hot line. Definitely a bypass system there. Some plier might give you a bit of leverage on the valves without feeling like you are going to break something.
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Nov 11, 2018
    My heater has a similar set up, but uses one extra valve. My two water in/out valves are closer to entry/exit ports, and my third valve is in the middle of bypass hose. In any case the flow goes with the direction of lever, with lever at 90 degrees to line being shut off.

    Jerry
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Nov 11, 2018
    It appears from pic that your two valve system will stop flow to heater by placing the levers to line with blue center hose. Set the way they are now would allow flow to in/out of WH. In my experience the valves turn hard from not using, but once broke loose, will turn quite easily.

    Jerry

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