No hot water

[Rickbier]

I recently changed my drain plug on hot water tank now there is only about 2-3 cups of hot water then it cold thinking tank my have air it it I open all valves ran water even drain fresh water tank still only a few cups of hot water am I missing something or doing it wrong

[2oldman]

Did you have HW just before this plug change?

[Boband4]

Just to be sure, you did shut off the electric while changing the drain, right? Many have said that the electric element has to remain under water or it burns out in a few seconds. Probably not the case since you do get a bit of hot water, but it would be a consideration while trouble shooting.

[Old-Biscuit]

Water heater is a simple tank.........cold water in bottom & hot water out top. A bypass connects cold to hot.

You stated "....I open all valves ran water ....." CLOSE the bypass.

IF bypass not fully closed......cold water flows to hot and because of check valve in hot out only cold flows.

Same type of thing occurs at showers if not turned off with hot/cold handles.....cold mixes with hot and makes warm

As a side note.......should be an air pocket on top of water heater tank (by design). Air pocket controls increases in pressure due to heating of water (it expands when heated------funny thing about water. Expands when frozen. Also expands 1700 times in volume when changes from liquid to gaseous state)

[downtheroad]

'tiredTeacher wrote:
Do you have a bypass kit installed for winterizing?
If yes, check the position of the bypass valves.
Then open the relief valve on the tank and make sure the tank is filled.

Teach

Good advice. After you do this, check your outside shower and make sure the valves are turned off, not just the button on the spray head, but the hot/cold knobs are off.

[_tiredTeacher]

Do you have a bypass kit installed for winterizing?
If yes, check the position of the bypass valves.
Then open the relief valve on the tank and make sure the tank is filled.

Teach