Water Heater Noise

[jamjrks]

Hello everyone,

We have a nuisance noise from our water heater whenever we are using hot water. It's a whining, humming, vibration noise. Hot water flow is good and the water heater is producing adequate hot water. Our water heater is a Suburban SW12DEL. I have isolated the source of the noise to the hot water outlet on the rear of the water heater and have even tried using my air pump to blow air into the hot water outlet to hopefully blow out any mineral debris that may be clogging the outflow opening. In the course of my trouble shooting, I have discovered that there is a male brass coupling connecting the hot water line to the water heater that appears to be some sort of check valve, but I have not been able to unscrew this fitting from the water heater.

Anyone out there who has experience this sort of nuisance and have suggestions to correct it? Suburban support says the fitting is a Keystone add on and not a Suburban part. Will appreciate your feedback. Thanks

[DQDick]

I'm sure you've got mineral buildup, but I've never had to take the check valve off so I don't have an answer for that. Trying to control mineral buildup is why we use an OntheGo water softener and it does seem to work. The unfortunate news is that water softeners will help to dissolve buildups, but they take at least as long as it took to build it up in the first place.

[BB_TX]

I would guess it is that check valve since water valves can and do make that sort of noise. Even my outside faucets at home sometimes make similar noises at certain flow rates.

[jcurtis934]

Check valve and they just screw off using slip pliers or other plumbers wrenches. Have replaced two for other rv'rs in the last year. Not a real hard job...if you can get to it. John

[jimcol]

John had much better luck than I did when I replaced mine It was a B---- to get out. Finally got it broke loose with a long crescent wrench with a cheater on the end of that. Jim

[WeBeFulltime]

Yep, it's the check valve.

[offroad71]

Breakdown for water heater http://hometips.me/Mar/Suburban_Wate...ice_Manual.pdf Hope it works

[jamjrks]

Thanks for all the feedback. I did replace the check valve on the water heater hot water outlet and the problem is solved. I examined the old check valve and discovered two things. First, the o-ring around the plastic plunger had come off, and second, there was a piece of debris lodged in the spring. New check valve cost me $14, but it's sure nice to have a quiet hot water flow once again. Thanks again to all you responders.