Forum Discussion

NanciL's avatar
NanciL
Explorer II
Mar 28, 2014

Atwood gas hot water heater question

Our Atwood has been working fine for the past five years and still is but about a week ago developed a weird noise when we run hot water.
There is a loud gushing noise. It is hard to describe the noise, but it almost like it is sucking air or something.
We don't get the noise when we are running cold water.
It is definitely coming from the water heater, but I can't figure out what it is.
Looking at it from the inside of the trailer and the outside, I don't see any leaking

Has any one else ever had this happen and can describe the fix.

I am thinking possibly the safety relief valve

Jack L
Seeking Advice
  • NanciL's avatar
    NanciL
    Explorer II
    Apr 01, 2014
    As long as I am going to replace the check valve; wwhich would be the best:
    1. to replace what I have
    2. Or install a shut off valve in it's place

    Jack L
  • NanciL's avatar
    NanciL
    Explorer II
    Mar 28, 2014
    Thanks on that check valve guys.

    I'll take it apart as soon as we get home and I drain the tank

    Jack L
  • JJBIRISH's avatar
    JJBIRISH
    Explorer
    Mar 28, 2014
    It is the check valve located on the hot water out side of the HWT…

  • nomad297's avatar
    nomad297
    Explorer
    Mar 28, 2014
    NanciL wrote:
    nomad297 wrote:
    It is not the T&P valve. It is a restriction somewhere -- possibly a valve (shutoff) that is not turned on all of the way, or a check valve that has failed, or a dip tube that has fallen off, or a bunch of sediment that has gotten lodged somewhere. Do you notice any difference of flow between the hot side and cold side of any of your faucets?

    Bruce


    Nope.
    There is no difference.
    If I don't get any constructive advice here, I'll go ahead and replace the safety valve.


    You don't find this advice constructive?

    It IS NOT the T&P valve, or what you are calling a "safety valve."

    Bruce
  • lasttruck's avatar
    lasttruck
    Explorer
    Mar 28, 2014
    Anti-backflow valve is a good start. Also check the valves if you have a water heater bypass kit installed.
  • Gunship_Guy's avatar
    Gunship_Guy
    Explorer
    Mar 28, 2014
    It could be the spring in the backflow preventer on the back of the water heater. They get weak and vibrate/rattle when water is rushing through.

    It is located on the hot side which is the line coming out the top rear of your water heater.
  • NanciL's avatar
    NanciL
    Explorer II
    Mar 28, 2014
    nomad297 wrote:
    It is not the T&P valve. It is a restriction somewhere -- possibly a valve (shutoff) that is not turned on all of the way, or a check valve that has failed, or a dip tube that has fallen off, or a bunch of sediment that has gotten lodged somewhere. Do you notice any difference of flow between the hot side and cold side of any of your faucets?

    Bruce


    Nope.
    There is no difference.
    If I don't get any constructive advice here, I'll go ahead and replace the safety valve. The pressure in both the hot and cold are as good as they always have been.

    Jack L
  • nomad297's avatar
    nomad297
    Explorer
    Mar 28, 2014
    It is not the T&P valve. It is a restriction somewhere -- possibly a valve (shutoff) that is not turned on all of the way, or a check valve that has failed, or a dip tube that has fallen off, or a bunch of sediment that has gotten lodged somewhere. Do you notice any difference of flow between the hot side and cold side of any of your faucets?

    Bruce

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