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SanMarMor's avatar
SanMarMor
Explorer
Oct 23, 2018

Replacing Water Heater Bypass Valve

Our trailer has a B&B remote bypass valve. As I was winterizing today, I went to switch back to normal mode to allow some antifreeze into the heater tank, and the handle broke off inside the valve, popping it apart and squirting from pump pressure.

So now I need to replace the valve, and for a cheap plastic valve, the best price I found is $57. Then it looks like the Pex tubing is crimped right to the valve, and it doesn’t have screw on fittings.

I’d replace this valve with a cheaper bypass, but I don’t really have access to the back of the water heater to switch the valves. And I’d have to replumb a fair amount to take the existing valve out of the system, and I can’t really access that pluming.

Has anyone replaced this valve, and if so, can you shed some light on what’s involved to replace it?

Mark
  • SanMarMor's avatar
    SanMarMor
    Explorer
    Oct 28, 2018
    SCClockDr wrote:
    Is the valve that failed a 3 way or open/closed?


    It’s a plastic bodied 3 way. One valve to bybass the heater, instead of two like the ones that mount right at the tank. I did figure out I can get to tank mounted valves from inside, if I go that way, which would be cheaper. I just have to figure out how to plumb the 3 way valve out of the system. Next spring though. It’s in storage, and I headed to Florida.
  • Farmboy666's avatar
    Farmboy666
    Explorer
    Oct 26, 2018
    A decent brass ball valve is about $15.00. There aren't hose clamps on your valve because they won't seal the pex tubing. Use Sharkbite fittings or crimp tool on pex.
  • drsteve's avatar
    drsteve
    Explorer
    Oct 25, 2018
    Is there room to trim the PEX back and use Shark Bite fittings? Then you can use whatever (inexpensive) valve you like.
  • mchero's avatar
    mchero
    Explorer
    Oct 25, 2018
    My valve is in the bedroom closet but I do have one valve on the rear of the Atwood EXT water heater.
    Keep us posted.
  • djousma's avatar
    djousma
    Explorer
    Oct 24, 2018
    SanMarMor wrote:
    The purpose of the valve is to not have to fill the water heater with twelve gallons of antifreeze. I was just putting a little in, to make sure the lines from the valve to the tank had antifreeze.


    I agree with getting the water out of the lines, especially the short section between the valve and the heater. In my old trailer, there was a bit of water there, and the check valve, both failed. Now, I dont put AF in there, but before I winterize, I blow out the lines in normal mode to clear the water out of that section of lines, then turn the bypass on, and add the AF.

    EDIT: and my bypass is also on the water panel with 8-10' of line from it to water heater. I have had good success just blowing all the lines out with the panel set on city water, after draining the water from the heater. Then setting the bypass, and adding AF
  • SanMarMor's avatar
    SanMarMor
    Explorer
    Oct 24, 2018
    Maybe I didn’t note it clearly. My bypass valve isn’t located at the water heater. It’s a remote valve located in the docking station in the basement, ten feet away from the water heater. If the valve was on the water heater, I couldn’t get to it to use it, without tearing out the water heater every time I winterize. Or tearing out it cabinets on the inside of the trailer.

    And if by some way I could use the valves at the water heater, I’d have to replumb the existing valve out of the system.
  • mchero's avatar
    mchero
    Explorer
    Oct 24, 2018
    The only way your going to properly replace the valve is pull the water heater and install a quality valve. I'm sure you did not want to hear this but that's the only way. It's next to impossible trying to replace w/o pulling the whole shootin match.
  • SanMarMor's avatar
    SanMarMor
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2018
    The purpose of the valve is to not have to fill the water heater with twelve gallons of antifreeze. I was just putting a little in, to make sure the lines from the valve to the tank had antifreeze.
  • Roger10378's avatar
    Roger10378
    Explorer II
    Oct 23, 2018
    I can't help much on replacing the valve as I can't see what you have, but I have to say the reason for the bypass is to keep all antifreeze out of the water heater. Why did you want to let some antifreeze in the WH. It is difficult to get all the taste out in the spring.

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