Forum Discussion

jeffo's avatar
jeffo
Explorer
Sep 22, 2013

Water heater pop off valve leaking

I have a 2013 Thor Daybreak, bought new this spring. Every time we have had it out the water heater pop off valve has trickled down the side of the rv and the lime deposit is almost impossible to get off the paint, plus it just looks bad having a wet spot under my new rv. I had it back to the shop and they lubed the valve and said that should take care of it , but did not help. I changed the valve and still leaks.
What is my next step?

Jeff
Class A
  • rambler2011's avatar
    rambler2011
    Explorer
    Sep 22, 2013
    SIMPLE FIX: turn off incoming water (city tap / fresh water tank).
    open hot water faucet
    open pressure relief valve
    let drain a few moments
    close pressure relief valve
    close hot water faucet
    turn on incoming water (city tap/ fresh water tank)
    PRESTO : NO leaking pressure relief valve.
  • Gadget_Guy1's avatar
    Gadget_Guy1
    Explorer
    Sep 22, 2013
    First of all I completely agree with reestablishing the air pocket in the water heater. In every RV unit we have owned I have ended up installing a water expansion unit. This has always eliminated the problem with the relief valve but we really like the function of the expansion tank because it decreases the start and stop of the water pump, especially at night. I buy the unit either at Home Depot or Rona.
  • Canadian_Rainbi's avatar
    Canadian_Rainbi
    Explorer
    Sep 22, 2013
    don/lou wrote:
    dbbls- Has got it right!
    This is a common problem
    Don


    I knew that too! Why didn't I mention it?--must have slipped my tiny mind. :S (Well, it's probably not that tiny, just full of too many years of crap!)
  • RayChez's avatar
    RayChez
    Explorer
    Sep 22, 2013
    I had the same problem, and what is causing this is build up under the seat of the valve which accumulates when the coach is not being used. Get a small hammer and I used a screw driver. Placed it on the end of the valve stem and give it a good firm hit on the screw driver. It will seat the valve where it will not leak anymore.

    Hope that helps.
  • admiral0647's avatar
    admiral0647
    Explorer
    Sep 22, 2013
    dbbls wrote:
    You need to reestablish the water pocket in the top of the water heater. Drain the water heater tank and refill, making sure the pop off valve is not open. This leaves a small pocket of air in the top of the tank and allows for expansion of the water as it heats up.



    This is correct... except it is an "air pocket" above the water level in tank. When you drain and refill the tank according to instructions, it should re-establish itself.
  • Clay_L's avatar
    Clay_L
    Explorer
    Sep 22, 2013
    I used CLR to remove the deposit. Took a little elbow grease and I had to wax the area afterwards.
  • sh410's avatar
    sh410
    Explorer
    Sep 22, 2013
    dbbls wrote:
    You need to reestablish the water pocket in the top of the water heater. Drain the water heater tank and refill, making sure the pop off valve is not open. This leaves a small pocket of air in the top of the tank and allows for expansion of the water as it heats up.


    What he said. Look in your water heater manual and you will find the proceedure to re-establish the air pocket.

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