Hot Water heater noise

[Buffpilot]

After spring start up hot water heater makes a hum when water running. Checked the bypass valve and its full open (maybe)when shut no noise. Is it the check valve or bypass not fully opening or something else? Noise is present on electric or gas. Thanks, Bob

[Hooker]

When using the heater, the bypass valve should be closed...then open to winterize.

[snfexpress]

I would guess it is the check valve - ours just started to make noise.

[sreigle]

We've had that hum when the hot water was running. Both times, replacing the check valve solved the problem.

[DonandJudy_12]

Our tech removed the guts from the check valve and we no longer have that recurring problem- Because we are fulltimers and do not winterize, it is not an issue to operate this way- It has not changed anything- JHMO- Don

[sreigle]

So why exactly is it there in the first place? There must be some purpose?

Have you noticed any change in that shower phenomenon where when you close the valve on the showerhead and then turn it back on you get a blast of cold water? Has that changed without a working checkvalve?

[DonandJudy_12]

The check valve is supposed to keep hot water from backing up to the water inlet- We have found incoming water pressure does that job- Only if you winterize the water system is the check valve needed- JHMO- Don

[Rondo]

Hey Steve, have you got a new type of shower that has a "blast of cold air" when you close the valve and then turn it back on??

Mike--Just another thing to have the Service Center take care of!

[sreigle]

Yeah, Ron, our shower uses carbonated water. Good catch. I totally missed that.

Don, thanks for the reply. Have you noticed any "side effects" or anything different other than the hum is missing?

[DonandJudy_12]

We haven't noticed any side effects from the removal of the innards of the check valve- We have no plans to install a new check valve- Don

[BirdingRVer]

Where is this check valve located?

[Carl n Susan]

quote:Originally posted by BirdingRVer

Where is this check valve located?

Try this link to Ozz's terrific description with pictures.

http://www.montanaowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39003&SearchTerms=hot,water,check ,valve

[Buffpilot]

Thanks all, have looked at Oz's link. Looks like a easy job once you get to the back of the hot water heater. Thanks again, Bob

[JimF]

Easy way to get to the back of the HW heater in a 3400 is to open the doors on the cabinet (on the entertainment side) look for the screws in the back wall and floor of the inside of the cabinet, remove (4 on ours) remove pasnels and there you are, total accessability to the water heater. Bye the way, I also removed the inside of the one way valve then drilled it out for more water flow, works great, no humm, been that way for over 3 years.