Hot Water Tank Issues - H E L P !

[mitch5252]

..

I have rarely used my hot water tank; just fired 'er up a few times to see if she works.

So, I'm preparing for AK. Here's what's going on:

When the cold water is on at the sink, the pump makes its NORMAL annoying noise.
When the hot water is turned on (cold off), the pump makes this horrible rhythmical pounding noise
(can listen here: http://georgeandmichelle.com/alaska.html

IF I turn on the cold water while the hot is on (and pounding), the pounding stops and it becomes a regular pump noise.

I have purged air out of hot water tank twice. I have opened all the faucets, though not at the same time.

If I can't get it fixed, I'll have to drag it back to the shop, which I just visited a few days ago to have a new kitchen faucet installed.

Any thoughts?

[sharon]

Are you getting full flow out of the hot water faucet?

Have you purged at all faucets and shower?

Do you have an outside faucet or shower and if so did you purge there?

[mitch5252]

Are you getting full flow out of the hot water faucet?

Have you purged at all faucets and shower?

Do you have an outside faucet or shower and if so did you purge there?

The flow of hot seems a little less than that of the cold.

By purge, you just mean turning on the hot water, right? Yes, I have. Although I've had a problem getting that stupid outside shower hose plugged in to the "outlet" water thing.

I have an appointment for next Friday at the dealer...unless I can figure it out myself (with a lot of help...)

[JudyJB]

Could they have plugged something up with a bit of putty or something when they installed the faucet? Seems strange that this would happen right after they "fixed" something.

Does the same thing happen when you turn on the hot water in the bathroom sink and the shower?

[OregonLuvr]

Seems to be the time for hot water issues. When I came back to the MH and flipped the switch for the hot water it kept tripping my breaker. Hmmmmm Finally got the breaker to stay on but NO hot water. Works fine on gas....but I need electric.

Talked to the RV appliance repair shop this morning. He thinks either my thermostat (not real likely) or my element has shorted out. He is coming out this afternoon to look at it. So I am now busy "dusting'" off my checkbook. He will have to order the part no matter what it is.......sigh

karen

[mitch5252]

Could they have plugged something up with a bit of putty or something when they installed the faucet? Seems strange that this would happen right after they "fixed" something.

Does the same thing happen when you turn on the hot water in the bathroom sink and the shower?

It happens on the hot water at all 3 spigots. I've even stumped my RV tech (and he's good). They say it just doesn't make sense it's only happening with the hot water side. And no noise when using the city water connection.

[sharon]

Even tho you can't hook up the outside shower, can you still turn on the water there and see if you have air in that line? It only takes air in one line to mess them all up. Or there could be a small leak in a hot water line that you haven't found yet. That would do it, too. It sure sounds like the pump is trying to pump against head pressure.

[mitch5252]

..

I was so frustrated, I just told myself to start from scratch...

I emptied the fresh tank and pulled the low point drains. I pulled the anode rod. Then I hooked up to city water (well, it's country water where I live, and better than any ol' city water I ever drank. Except Chicago and their Lake Michigan Water) (Oh, just get to the point, Mitch) (I can't - I'm too excited about going to Alaska).

Took forever for the hot water tank to fill up. Then I filled up the holding tank, and removed city water hose. No go! Grrrrrr...

I went outside and pressed the overflow valve on the water heater. VOILA - I have plain ol' noisy water pump with no "something's gotta be wrong" pounding!! I'm going back out in a little bit and try it again.

The early bird gets the worm. Oh, wait, that doesn't apply here. Okay - it's slow and steady wins the race.

Thank you, everyone, for your help!!

ON EDIT: I was wrong...(SHUT UP, VICKIE). Same problem back after several seconds of sounding fine.
I'm just going to keep next Friday's appointment.

[VickieP]

Maybe it has something to do with you being so full of hot air,
when you touch the hot water faucet, it's overload.

[Bethers]

Did you check Sharon's suggestion - see if you have hot water flow from the outside shower connection? Like she said, if one place has a problem, could be the problem for all.

Was so excited that maybe you got it.

[mitch5252]

Yes, I got that hose connected (there HAS to be an easier way to get that accomplished) and water is coming out of the hot water side, along with creating the same pulsing noise. I'm going to do a little more screwing around out there in a little bit. I bound and determined, but I think this is way over my head. Maybe I need a new pump? Anyone ever had that problem?

[OutandAbout]

Mitch, I don't think it is the pump. You only have one and it works with the cold water, but not the hot. I would continue to look at the hot water system. You are probably almost there with what you have done. Linda

[mitch5252]

Mitch, I don't think it is the pump. You only have one and it works with the cold water, but not the hot. I would continue to look at the hot water system. You are probably almost there with what you have done. Linda

I know it can't be the pump because the problem would exist with both hot and cold. But for the life of me, I can't figure it out. Even talking to my tech at the shop, he's stumped, too, because it's only the hot water. I'll bet it's something real simple that I've screwed up. I've been known to do that. SHUT UP, VICKIE!

[OregonLuvr]

Good luck with that project Mitch. Alas, my water heater troubles are going to be waaaayyyy more expensive. Laura (CougarFan) came over yesterday and we went to lunch prior to the Mobile repair man coming. He is actually an RV Appliance repair fellow and has a shop just down the road. Laura was going to leave but found it wayyy more fascinating to watch the problems just multiply.

First off there is NO access to the back of the hot water heater from anywhere. You have to remove a side panel under the MH to even look. I knew I was in trouble when he said "Uh Oh". Apparantly there was a leak at one of my hose lines behind the water heater. Consequently filled the bed it sits on with 3 inches of standing water, which in turn shorted out the whatchamacallit box on the back. The biggest problem was getting it out of there. One would think you just unscrewed it and it would slide out....NOOOOO. It took about 2 hours of unscrewing, unputtying, sliding, cutting hoses..capping hoses etc etc. It was soooo fascinating to Laura she couldnt leave ha ha This drama continued for about 2 1/2 hours. He only charged me the service call out here and 1 hour of labor. How great was that as it was quite a job. So I am now without hot water but have water to all other systems ...whew. He took it back to his shop so that will be another bill I might need CPR for.

Can shower here at the campground and boil water (ahhhh back to basics) for dishes etc.

Hope you get your problem solved Mitch.

karen

[Travelinana]

Mitch, I can tell you are very competitive and determined to conquer the hot water heater monster but why not hook er up and take it to your friendly RV tech person, watch while he does the repair then you can forget this and start packing for Alaska...