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Explore the RV water heater repair and troubleshooting guide to find solutions for the common problems related to RV water heating, so you can enjoy your ride, camping, and relaxing outdoor vacation.
We have collected a long list of symptoms, problems, troubleshooting and repair tips from the RV users, consumer complaints, RV heater forums, professional plumbers, and manufacturers. This guide covers instructions on repairing an RV water heater on two of the most popular brands, Atwood and Suburban.
Note: Installation, troubleshooting, repairs, and servicing, should be done by a certified professional.
You can get up to 3 Free Quotes from the local plumbers if you contact this company and fill out a short form.
If your RV water heater is making a noise, such as high pitched, popping, or whistle sound, it is time to check some elements before going on a long trip.
What makes the high-pitched noise on the electric heaters is the limescale (calcium) formation on the element or even corrosion.
The popping noise is also the result of mineral deposits building up in the tank, affecting both electric and gas units.
The whistling sound can come from the stuck debris in the check valve.
Solutions for the above noise problems are in periodic maintenance such as cleaning and flushing or element replacement if the problem is severe.
Here is how to troubleshoot the RV water heater when you experience the pilot outage (the button is released):
If, for some reason, you experience water dripping from the pressure and temperature relief valve, don't worry. Since the water heating in RV vehicles runs in the closed system when the water expands, excess pressure has to go somewhere; so the valve opens.
If the dripping problem often occurs, here is the way how to repair a RV hot water heater; by allowing the air pocket to be established.
If a bad odor is coming from the hot water faucet of your RV, the odds are you are having a rotten egg problem, also known as hydrogen sulfide or sulfur water. This happens because of the chemical reaction between released hydrogen and sulfur from the water and when bacteria develop.
If your RV water heater, like Atwood, for example, has a protective coating on the interior of the tank, during the process when it fights corrosion, this protective shield releases hydrogen from the water. Hydrogen sulfide compound will be the result of chemical action between sulfur and released hydrogen, and it produces that stinky rotten egg odor.
There is another solution to prevent corrosion, early tank failure, and potential leaking found in Suburban RV water heaters.
Those models use an anode rod to protect the storage tank.
Again, the anode rod tends to deteriorate and produce sediments in the tank because of the aggressive water action, where bacteria develop and produce rotten egg odor.
If using the antifreeze when winterizing a water heater, this process can accelerate sacrificial anode rod decay unless you remove it.
Should you replace the RV water heater?
The answer is no.
Use the RV repair instructions below, or contact a professional.
A solution for the rotten egg smell problem is to flush the RV water heating system. First, you have to drain the heater tank.
When you open a drain plug, water should flow steadily. If not, open the pressure and temperature relief valve to get the air in and use a wire to remove any obstacle in the drain opening.
To flush your RV water heater, you can go with one of the recommended solutions: you can use vinegar (in a ratio of 2:1 vinegar/water); or 3% hydrogen peroxide (1:160 hydrogen/water); chlorinated water, or household liquid bleach (1:230 ratio chlorine/water).
Let it sit inside for a few hours and then flush the system heavily, as it is hard to get rid of the taste, especially chlorine (or use a filter).
When troubleshooting Atwood and Suburban RV water heaters, keep in mind that this is not a complete list of problems, as many factors can directly or indirectly affect your RV water heater performance. Always use the manufacturer's guide for reference and instructions, or call Atwood or Suburban technical support for details.
Also, don't forget to often use a reference manufacturer's guide when performing the RV water heater repair.