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Water Heater Air Bubble

I'm looking for some advice from you non-Aqua Hot guys. I keep having the same problem with my water heater. When it heats fully water drips from the pressure relief valve. As I understand it, the leak is the result of an insufficient air bubble at the top of the tank. I've tried several methods to establish that bubble. Here's the latest one:

To re-establish an air pocket in the top of your water heater . Turn off all water supplies ( shore and coach pump ) open a hot tap somewhere in the coach , and open the tank drain . Drain about a gallon of water and close the drain . With the hot tap still open inside the coach , turn on the supply and bleed out excess air through the tap . The hot out line from the tank is lower than the top of the tank and the relief valve.

Didn't work. I've had three of these things with water heaters and this is the only one I've had this issue with. Thanks.
jor

93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Water Heater Air Bubble

Reply #1 –
Could you just replace the pressure relief valve?
1998 U320 40'
2005 GMC Yukon
MC# 17609

Re: Water Heater Air Bubble

Reply #2 –
Roll the coach over.. slowly :)) 

to fast and you wont be able to hold everything down... the bubble will work its way out... ^.^d

other way is maybe force the water through with a hose or something to get the bubble out?

Re: Water Heater Air Bubble

Reply #3 –
Why do you want an air bubble in the hot water heater??  I seem to be missing some thing here.  All I can imagine that doing would be the same thing that your bladder tank does.  Do you have a bladder tank??  I would replace the relief valve and go from there.  Have a great day  ----  Fritz
Fritz & Kathy Johnson
1991 36'

Re: Water Heater Air Bubble

Reply #4 –

Might need to add a expansion tank of some kind to absorb the slight increase in water volume caused by heating.

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1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Water Heater Air Bubble

Reply #5 –
John, we fixed ours by changing temp-pressure valve.

We also routed the valve's outlet via a hose through the compartment floor along with the other three water drain hoses. Now any drips end up on ground and not in compartment.

Re: Water Heater Air Bubble

Reply #6 –
Replace the pop-off valve and add a bladder tank.
Never have I considered if there is or isn't a bubble in the hot water tank

Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota

Re: Water Heater Air Bubble

Reply #7 –
Replace the pressure relief valve. Some hardware stores have them just be sure to get one with 1/2 NPT threads.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Water Heater Air Bubble

Reply #8 –
Valves go bad. No need to make other alterations.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Water Heater Air Bubble

Reply #9 –
Quote from: bbeane –
Replace the pressure relief valve. Some hardware stores have them just be sure to get one with 1/2 NPT threads.
Post below (Reply #2) shows the one I used.  Could not find it in local stores with correct threads.

Hott Rod Installation, Atwood GH6-7E
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Water Heater Air Bubble

Reply #10 –
I had the same problem. I replaced the valve.
Mark Freeman 1995 grand villa, Brimson Mn
8.3 Cummins  G95 4709 40 WTBS U280 WE21

Re: Water Heater Air Bubble

Reply #11 –
Quote
Why do you want an air bubble in the hot water heater?
That's the way they work.

I have replaced the valve twice in the last three years. I think I'll do so again after this trip and go with Barry's solution of routing the outlet through the floor like the fresh water overfill fix. Thanks to all.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320