Forum Discussion

Jay_Flight_33RL's avatar
Jay_Flight_33RL
Explorer
Oct 22, 2014

Atwood Water Heater not heating

Our Atwood Water Heater in our 2011 Jayco Jay Flight G2 Series M-33 RLDS has been acting up. This is our fourth season with this wonderful trailer. The hot water was HOT over the first three seasons. At the beginning of this season it seemed as though it wasn’t quite as hot but bearable. During our last trip this past weekend we didn’t even need to mix with cold water to take a shower. Steady stream out the hot side. We could feel spurts of hot water during a shower but nothing like we are accustomed to. Has anyone had this experience? If so, what did you do to fix it?
  • Jay_Flight_33RL's avatar
    Jay_Flight_33RL
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2014
    Issue resolved. The bypass valve was indeed open. It’s been that way all summer. The colder outside temperatures this past weekend made that more obvious. Thanks to all for your suggestions and willingness to help.
  • pnj442's avatar
    pnj442
    Explorer
    Oct 22, 2014
    Slightly open the PRV. If the wagter is hot, there is nothing wrong with the heater. Probably as others have said, the bypass valve.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Oct 22, 2014
    First...
    Were you using electric or gas?
    Did red light on panel come on?

    Does the gas burner come on at all?
    IF burner comes on.....how long does it fire before turning off?

    After it fires...pop open PRV (press relief valve) in outside compartment.
    CAUTION: WATER SHOULD BE VERY HOT

    *Check valve on backside of water heater tank in hot outlet line sticking close/plugged restricting hot water flow
    *Bypass valve open---not fully closed on line that connects cold with hot on backside of water heater tank
    *Showers not being turned off at cold/hot knobs just with button on handle will cause warm water due to mixing in shower faucet

    Course that is IF water heater is turning on
  • retiredcamper20's avatar
    retiredcamper20
    Explorer
    Oct 22, 2014
    I vote for the bypass valve. I had the same symptoms once and we discovered the bypass valve was in the wrong position. Hope it's a simple fix for you as well.
  • nomad297's avatar
    nomad297
    Explorer
    Oct 22, 2014
    Nvr2loud wrote:
    ewarnerusa wrote:
    If there were spurts of hot water, then maybe the heater is still working as well as before but you might have outside shower taps open or winter bypass valve in open position.


    Yeah... check the bypass valve!


    This IS the problem.

    Bruce
  • Nvr2loud's avatar
    Nvr2loud
    Explorer II
    Oct 22, 2014
    ewarnerusa wrote:
    If there were spurts of hot water, then maybe the heater is still working as well as before but you might have outside shower taps open or winter bypass valve in open position.


    Yeah... check the bypass valve!
  • ewarnerusa's avatar
    ewarnerusa
    Nomad
    Oct 22, 2014
    If there were spurts of hot water, then maybe the heater is still working as well as before but you might have outside shower taps open or winter bypass valve in open position.
  • Nvr2loud's avatar
    Nvr2loud
    Explorer II
    Oct 22, 2014
    Either:

    1) Faulty Thermostat

    2) Burner not firing on high (gas valve issue)

    3) Plugged burner tube / exhaust port

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