Hot Water Tank Noise

[Whiskey_River]

Using city water @ 40psi I have a noise coming from the hot water tank that sounds like a motor running. It is a Suburban 10 gal elect & gas model. It makes the same noise regardless weather the water is hot or cold, ie just turning on the hot water before it gets a chance to heat up.
I changed the check valve at the top of the tank in the back used for winterizing, changed the anode rod, and open the pressure valve on the tank to let out any built up air pocket.
The tank is in an 09 fifth wheel, so it is not that old & started to make the "motor" noise about a year ago. It works fine & heats on either electric or gas.
Any ideas, or just learn to live with it???????????

[larry_barnhart]

We have wintered for 6 months in az since 2001 and I am always surprised on how many rv'rs have never known about the air chamber.

chevman

[Whiskey_River]

OK thanks all.... It does just make the motor noise when the water is running. I put in a new check valve because last year when I was winterizing it, the old one would not stop the pink antifreeze from coming back into the tank. It only cost 6 bucks but is not the easiest to get at. So if it works to winterize, I will just learn to live with the "motor" noise.

[Old-Biscuit]

fla-gypsy wrote:
If it only makes noise when water is flowing it is coming from the check valve.

X2
That's the only moving part in WH.

If it makes noise while heating using the electric element...element is coated in calcium/scale

Air pocket is suppose to be there to allow for the expansion of the water as it heats so high pressure is not built up.

Turn off water heater
Turn off water supply
Open faucet hot side to relieve pressure
OPEN PRV via lever.hold open until water stops flowing then let if snap shut
Close faucet
Turn on water supply

Air pocket re-established.

[fla-gypsy]

If it only makes noise when water is flowing it is coming from the check valve.

[stuplich]

Whiskey River wrote:
Using city water @ 40psi I have a noise coming from the hot water tank that sounds like a motor running. It is a Suburban 10 gal elect & gas model. It makes the same noise regardless weather the water is hot or cold, ie just turning on the hot water before it gets a chance to heat up.
I changed the check valve at the top of the tank in the back used for winterizing, changed the anode rod, and opened the pressure valve on the tank to let out any built up air pocket..
The tank is in an 09 fifth wheel, so it is not that old & started to make the "motor" noise about a year ago. It works fine & heats on either electric or gas.
Any ideas, or just learn to live with it???????????

Whiskey River
There is supposed to be a "head of air" in the WH tank!
Re-establish the necessary air pocket and try again!
Don't open the P&T valve and let the "air pocket" out!
Mel
'96 Safari

[ScottG]

It's probably the check valve. Many, like mine, have been noisy since new.
Doesn't bother me so I leave it as is.

[camperpaul]

It sounds like you may have calcium (lime)build up inside the tank.

[larry_barnhart]

I have not had a check valve for years but last winter I had to removed the rear panel in the basement so I bought a check valve and it doesn't the same as yours. Friend also had the same noise but the fifth is 5 years old so when the new check valve made the same noise as his I was not a happy hot water camper. Now it is ok because I gave up and let it do it's thing.

chevman