winterizing issue

[DE88ROX]

Trying to winterize my trailer. As you can see in the pic, the in and out valves to water heater are turned off. Bypass valve is turned on.
So why is my water heater filling up with anti-freeze.

This is my 3rd winter with the trailer so I've done it before and had no issues. The white Pex valves in the pic were new last spring. Installed at the dealer because the cheap plastic/brass ones broke.

Any insight into this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Dutch_12078]

wa8yxm wrote:


1: I have never heard of a quarter turn valve that is directional, but.. Possible it is

Flair-It uses a soft pliable material as the valve seal that only covers the outlet port of the valve, using the water pressure behind it to make the seal. When the valve is installed backwards to the flow, the water pressure just pushes the seal out of the way. Two minutes with a pair of Channel Lock pliers to unscrew the bonnet and disassemble the valve would show you how it works. Or you could just believe the arrow they nicely provided.

[Dutch_12078]

DE88ROX wrote:
I went out and looked. The bottom valve directional arrow is pointing towards the water heater and the top is pointing away. From the diagrams i have seen that is correct.

The top valve is the problem then, since the water pressure is coming from the bypass line TOWARDS the heater, and the valve is letting it by. The valve will seal in one direction only when turned off.

[old_guy]

I always cringe when some says just blow out the lines and forget the anti freeze. that might work in lawn sprinklers systems but when I did that on my first TT, I had leaks I had to fix before I could go camping the first time after that. Now I blow out the lines and use anti freeze. I only had to get burned once to learn my lesson. never lost a fitting again.

[txdutt]

had the same sort of problem on my old Class A, even though the water heater bypass valve was in the correct position to winterize---what worked on that rig was to leave the water heater "full" of water then flip the bypass & put antifreeze through the system-worked like a charm...afterwards open the drain plug on the water heater & drain the water out...best guess I had was that the pump would sense no back pressure from the water heater & would try to fill it (with antifreeze)--do my fiver the same way (in fact will be winterizing this weekend)

[DE88ROX]

Harvard wrote:
Your hot water lines/taps will flow antifreeze via the bypass line/valve. It is not coming from the tank, is it?

No, its not. Turned valves at the pump. Turned valves on water heater as shown in the pic. Stuck hose in antifreeze jug and it pumped it out just like it should. Only problem is, most of the antifreeze went into the water heater anyway.

The white PEX valves are directional 1/4 turn and flowing the right way.

The only thing it cam be is that both valves are bad.

Im hoping that I can find what I need to replace them locally without having to order parts on line.

[DE88ROX]

darsben wrote:
Turn the cold one the other way or will it turn further? The handle may have been installed wrong by the dealer. IT IS A VERY LONG SHOT as I presume the water worked fine all summer

Yes, worked all summer just fine, and the directional arrows on both valves are pointing in the right direction.

[DE88ROX]

Ive been filling up the empty antifreeze jugs with water and running it through like I would if I was winterizing. Its strange. The only time water stops flowing at all (pump stops running)is if ALL the valves are in the closed position. With the bypass closed, like it is during the the summer, water should still be flowing in and out of the heater.

[wa8yxm]

First: You are winterizing wrong pumping all that noxious chemical into the lines, Blow 'em out with compressed air,, Like 10 times with a few minutes between blows.. Then if the air in the lines freezes.. Well if that happens the RV will be the least of your problems (Breathing being problem # only)

Now: Best guesses as to the answer to your qustion.

1: I have never heard of a quarter turn valve that is directional, but.. Possible it is

2: Defective valve.

3: I have heard of handles being installed wrong.

4: And valves not turned fully to stop.

[hotbyte]

DE88ROX wrote:
This is my 3rd winter with the trailer so I've done it before and had no issues. The white Pex valves in the pic were new last spring. Installed at the dealer because the cheap plastic/brass ones broke.

To me, this says either a defective valve or valve is installed wrong...

[DE88ROX]

I went out and looked. The bottom valve directional arrow is pointing towards the water heater and the top is pointing away. From the diagrams i have seen that is correct.

[newman_fulltime]

the valve handle is on wrong

[DE88ROX]

Dutch_12078 wrote:
I suspect one or both of the valves are installed backwards. Those Flair-It PEX valves are directional. The white valves should have the flow arrow pointing towards the heater for the bypass to work properly. Note that the hot water outlet valve will NOT turn off the hot water in this configuration with this type of valve.

Notice the arrow on the valve body:

Ill go out and take a closer look

[DE88ROX]

Harvard wrote:
Your hot water lines/taps will flow antifreeze via the bypass line/valve. It is not coming from the tank, is it?

Im getting some anti-freeze through to the faucets, but the majority of it is flowing right into the water heater.

Ive gone through 4 gallons already and I haven't even hit all the faucets.

[Dutch_12078]

I suspect one or both of the valves are installed backwards. Those Flair-It PEX valves are directional. The white valves should have the flow arrow pointing towards the heater for the bypass to work properly. Note that the hot water outlet valve will NOT turn off the hot water in this configuration with this type of valve.

Notice the arrow on the valve body:

[Harvard]

Your hot water lines/taps will flow antifreeze via the bypass line/valve. It is not coming from the tank, is it?