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spoon059's avatar
spoon059
Explorer II
Jan 04, 2014

poor flow, Suburban water heater

In the latter half of camping season we noticed that our 6 gallon Suburban water heater had very poor output, like something was blocking a line. I researched it and it sounds like the first place to check is the one way check valve on the output. People suggest either flushing it out in case there is sediment or replacing it entirely.

The problem is, I have no idea where exactly this check valve is and how to take it off to inspect it. Problem #2 is I neglected the issue until it was too cold and had to winterize the camper. We are about 40 days away from a 2 week vacation to Florida, and the bride would really like to take showers in the RV.

Is anyone familiar with this issue that can walk me through it? I will probably be making fixes in an RV park once we get down south...
  • Confirm it is slow flow on all hot water lines, not just the kitchen sink. (Thinking plugged water filter at kitchen sink as a maybe)
  • YEP...check valve is internal of the nipple of hot outlet on tank.

    They are a plunger/spring/o-ring design held in via a clip.
    You can usually remove clip with needle nose pliers and then just pull the rest of assembly out without having to remove nipple.

    Then instead of replacing with another cheapo plastic junk just install a shut-off valve in hot outlet line to close when winterizing WH
  • The check valve is usually installed right at the top connection point on the back of the hot water heater(this is the hot water to faucets line) It facilitates the operation of the single valve hot water bypass.

    I gutted one on a winter trip because of what you're experiencing-I literally had now hot water. Just screwed up my winterizing when the trip was over. THese things are generally readily available at RV parts stores.

    THE BAD-if you're unit is aging(as in not just a year or two old!) the threads in the tank can be a real pain to start the new check valve in. I'm pretty sure I broke mine off removing it, had to ease the plastic that was left in the thread out and then get the new one to start in crappy aluminum threads. I used Teflon tape but woulda rathered the paste just because I think it woulda made threading it in easier.

    BTW-you can do it at home now that you're winterized-honesty, that's what I would do if I was in your shoes-allows a cushion in case you break something else! ;)

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