Rut Roh....Water heater bypass valve kaput?

[ACZL]

So went to winterize this afternoon and wouldn't ya know it, the water heater bypass valve wasn't bypassing cuz antifreeze was going into heater! UGH! Doing some research, it's one of those Thetford 90* red handled valves which don't seem to have a seller reputation. Seems to be a HOT commodity cuz no-one has one. If I strike out tomorrow, may just jerry rig a temp bypass so I can get it done, cuz she's supposed to be going into storage by end of week.

Any suggestions otherwise?

[schlep1967]

ACZL wrote:

schlep1967 wrote:
Since you have the lines off an easy way to check for the check valve is to stick a screw driver in the top connection of the water heater. If it hits something solid the check valve is there. If you only have one valve the check valve needs to be there and be operating to winterize.
See this video Replace RV check valve

Will the check valve be on the hot water line or cold? I removed the cold one only and didn't find one as I mentioned above. Sadly, because I am in a rush situation, I had to do the Camco temp bypass line (attaches to both hot/cold lines to water tank). Was able to get the rig filled w/ antifreeze yet not hot water tank. Did rinse it out good as it did have AF in it. Put everything back together and "mouse proofed" it so it's all set to go tmrw into storage barn. I will however, have to take things back apart in spring to re-do what I did this week. Upon doing so, I will take more time on water tank to check for valves and replace in need be.

It will be on the top/hot out line.
How it works - Your single valve will be on the cold in line. Turning the valve stops the water from going into the bottom of the water heater and forces it into the bypass line. The bypass line connects directly to the top/hot out line from the water heater. The check valve is attached directly to the tank on this line. When it is operating correctly, water can only flow one direction. Out of the water heater.
These check valves commonly fail. I'm on my 3rd one in 10 years. When mine fail the valve comes out of the body and into the water line and blocks all hot water flow. My temp fix while camping is to open up the line and remove that piece. Put the line back together and everything functions again until I get a new check valve. It is possible the prior owner did the same thing and never got back to replacing the check valve.

[ACZL]

schlep1967 wrote:
Since you have the lines off an easy way to check for the check valve is to stick a screw driver in the top connection of the water heater. If it hits something solid the check valve is there. If you only have one valve the check valve needs to be there and be operating to winterize.
See this video Replace RV check valve

Will the check valve be on the hot water line or cold? I removed the cold one only and didn't find one as I mentioned above. Sadly, because I am in a rush situation, I had to do the Camco temp bypass line (attaches to both hot/cold lines to water tank). Was able to get the rig filled w/ antifreeze yet not hot water tank. Did rinse it out good as it did have AF in it. Put everything back together and "mouse proofed" it so it's all set to go tmrw into storage barn. I will however, have to take things back apart in spring to re-do what I did this week. Upon doing so, I will take more time on water tank to check for valves and replace in need be.

[schlep1967]

Since you have the lines off an easy way to check for the check valve is to stick a screw driver in the top connection of the water heater. If it hits something solid the check valve is there. If you only have one valve the check valve needs to be there and be operating to winterize.
See this video Replace RV check valve

[ACZL]

Hike, sorry for the late reply as I tore apart all the access panels and id remove the cold water line and did not find a valve you mentioned, just a fitting the line connects to which also crews into the tank. Course the dang thing is on back side of heater, so could not get a real good looksie . Sad part is, I'm kinda under the gun to get things done as it's supposed to be going into storage this Fri. At the very least, I did see where Camco markets a product where you disconnect both lines at water heater, attached the bypass line to each water line and......WOHLAA, a temp bypass.

[topjimmy]

Nothing to add here But just gotta say That's funny RUT ROH! I have a Scooby Doo T shirt that says that and my sister has Astro from the Jetsons saying that too and everybody cracks up when they see our shirts :B

[schlep1967]

hilke40 wrote:
If you have the single handle to by pass , that is probably not your problem. When they went to the single handle bypass method, they put a one way check valve on the top line of water heater. It is letting water back into heater, which it should not be doing. They are around ten bucks and just screw off, after you remove the water line.

What he said.

[hilke40]

If you have the single handle to by pass , that is probably not your problem. When they went to the single handle bypass method, they put a one way check valve on the top line of water heater. It is letting water back into heater, which it should not be doing. They are around ten bucks and just screw off, after you remove the water line.

[Rwake901]

Can you just use a Pex valve from your local Lowe’s, Home Depot or Menards?