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No Hot Water

Havent been able to figure this one out yet. We decided to do a test run in the RV for a night last night. Kids had a lot of fun but I can't seem to get hot water.  I get flame but not getting any hot water. I opened the water heater drain and there was some slime that dripped out but no water. Any idea what that could be?  I filled the tank from the drain side just to see if I could dislodge anything that might be blocking the flow. Still no joy. Any help would be appreciated!  Gotta get his fixed before our Spring Break trip in about 6 weeks.
Benjie, Ashley, Zoey, Fallon, and Lake
Round Rock, TX
In search of our next monster...

Re: No Hot Water

Reply #1 –
Not sure on your year and model, but on some water heaters there is a way to shut off the tank for the system.  This can allow you to drain the tank dry for the winter with the outside drain plug.  With that shut off closed you can add the winter anti-freeze to the system, pumping the system, without having to fill the hot water tank with expensive anti-freeze.

Your coach's plumbing diagram might show that you have a that hot water by-pass, some valves you have not found yet on the new to you coach.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: No Hot Water

Reply #2 –
When most people say they don't get any hot water it usually means they getting cold water instead of hot.  But it sounds like your are getting no flow at all?
My guess it your tank had a lot of gunk in it and it flowed into the pipes.  I would suggest blowing compressed air backwards towards the water heat with the tank drain open.  If your kitchen sink has a hand sprayer, that might be the easiest connection to make to rubber tipped air compressor nozzle.  If your system is full of gunk you will need to cleanout all the aerators at the sinks as they will catch all that stuff and plug up.
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: No Hot Water

Reply #3 –
It sounds like there is a water heater bypass that is in bypass mode, should have some valves at the rear of the water heater. I would not run the gas or electric until there is water in the tank as damage will result to the tank or in the case of the electric would damage the element.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: No Hot Water

Reply #4 –
Hot water bypass makes sense but I can't find it yet. I have a 95 U295.

Best Regards,
Benjie

Benjie Zeller
(512) 587-4628
Benjie, Ashley, Zoey, Fallon, and Lake
Round Rock, TX
In search of our next monster...

Re: No Hot Water

Reply #5 –
Are you getting no water? Are you getting water that is not hot? Do all of the faucets show the same symptoms? Is cold water system working properly?

Check the Manibloc to verify that water can get out of the water heater.

I would reinforce a previous post: don't run the heat until you know the tank is full of water.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: No Hot Water

Reply #6 –
Look for a line that runs between the water in fitting and the water out fitting on the back of water heater.
If you find that there will be a valve at the water in fitting that needs to be turned to allow water to enter the water heater.
John Duld
1995 U320C SE 40'

Re: No Hot Water

Reply #7 –
Getting cold water out of all the hot water areas. With pump on I should get water out of the hot water heater drain correct? I'm not so makes me think it's either blocked or there is a valve. I can't see any lines going in or out of the hot water heater so gonna have to feel around blindly.

Best Regards,
Benjie

Benjie Zeller
(512) 587-4628
Benjie, Ashley, Zoey, Fallon, and Lake
Round Rock, TX
In search of our next monster...

Re: No Hot Water

Reply #8 –
Sounds like a closed valve somewhere to keep the water heater dry after draining it to winterize.  Second option is blocked, but that has to be a huge blockage to stop city water pressure from filling an empty tank.  When you find the valve that is closed you would be getting new air out of the tank thru the open faucets.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: No Hot Water

Reply #9 –
A quick discussion with Dave Stevens led me to a hole in the storage bay. Had never noticed it! Turns out someone had disconnected the pipes from the water heater and put in a small clear hose to bypass. I'm guessing for winterization.

Turns out I think I solved three problems in one phone call! I posted earlier about leaks. I think the leak was me trying to to blowout the water heater through the drain. Probably emptied 10-20 gallons into the bay that way! Also, my fresh water tank gauge wasn't working but noticed a loose wire when looking through the storage bay spy hole on the fresh water tank. Sure enough, issue resolved!

All in all a great day with easy fixes once identified. Thanks again to everyone that commented and especially Dave! Karma +1!

Best Regards,
Benjie

Benjie Zeller
(512) 587-4628
Benjie, Ashley, Zoey, Fallon, and Lake
Round Rock, TX
In search of our next monster...