How to access water heater check valve

[Treesehome]

2008 Keystone montana 3400 RL

Pretty sure I have a problem with the check valve as there is no pressure on the hot water but good pressure on the cold. Also when water heater bypass is on, get plenty of pressure on the hot water side. But in this 5th wheel I see no obvious way to access the back of the water heater from the inside to get at the check valve. What am I missing?
Thanks in Advance

[Treesehome]

#13
Treesehome
New Member

Join Date: May 2019
Location: East Waterford
Posts: 4
M.O.C. #24118
We have a 2008 Keystone montana 3400 RL and I have a check valve issue on the water heater but so far have not found a way to access the back of the water heater from the inside. Anyone know what I am missing?

Thanks in Advance

[Hblick48]

Either get to the back of the water heater via the access panel to the left of the oven or through the grille in the cabinet on the left when you enter the rig.

Ours got stuck closed and had exact symptoms as you. I just removed ours.

[rmthelen]

Originally Posted by Hblick48

Either get to the back of the water heater via the access panel to the left of the oven or through the grille in the cabinet on the left when you enter the rig.

Ours got stuck closed and had exact symptoms as you. I just removed ours.

I removed mine also but plan to replace it as it is needed to properly winterize the trailer. With it removed, you will need an extra 12 gallons of antifreeze as it is there to prevent backflow into the waterheater.

[Texan]

Originally Posted by rmthelen

I removed mine also but plan to replace it as it is needed to properly winterize the trailer. With it removed, you will need an extra 12 gallons of antifreeze as it is there to prevent backflow into the waterheater.

How many gallons?

[rohrmann]

I’m not sure on a 2008 3400, but on our 2012 3402, I am able to access the back end of the water heater by removing the plastic panel that covers the area behind the convenience center. To get my body close enough I had to remove a lot of stuff from the pass through storage area. I had to do this in 2016 when I replaced our water heater due to the tank leaking. If you can access yours this way, you will need a large wrench to break the check valve loose. Our check valve is brass, and I was able to reuse it on the new water heater. Make sure you use pipe dope or Teflon tape on the new one and don’t be afraid to really tighten it when installing it.

[rmthelen]

Originally Posted by Texan

How many gallons?

12 Twelve, the water heater in ours is 12 gallon.

[Hblick48]

Originally Posted by rmthelen

I removed mine also but plan to replace it as it is needed to properly winterize the trailer. With it removed, you will need an extra 12 gallons of antifreeze as it is there to prevent backflow into the waterheater.

I'm lucky. Where I live I never have to winterize my rig. Couldn't figure out any reason to replace it.

[coyoterick]

On my 2006 3400RL there is an access panel inside the cabinet that is just to the right of the fireplace. It's the cabinet under the counter that faces the living room.

[uhftx]

Originally Posted by Treesehome

2008 Keystone montana 3400 RL

Pretty sure I have a problem with the check valve as there is no pressure on the hot water but good pressure on the cold. Also when water heater bypass is on, get plenty of pressure on the hot water side. But in this 5th wheel I see no obvious way to access the back of the water heater from the inside to get at the check valve. What am I missing?
Thanks in Advance

similar symptoms. Except shortly after the whole thing (water heater) sprung a leak. I ordered a new one on amazon. The worst part of the job was hooking up the wiring. IF it were 6 or 8 inches longer it would of been an easier job. But my Montana is older and it is located under the lazy susan, next to the pull out draws in the kitchen. I still could not fit into the space provided and I did most of it sideways. Not cheap about $500 with self install. The only concern I had was making sure there were no propane leaks.
The check valve is located and mounted on the top hose connection. Just looks like a pipe nipple with a hex head for a wrench.

[Treesehome]

Thanks to all responses. Found the inside panels to remove and have good access to the back of the water heater. Now just need to get a BIG wrench to remove the check valve as it would not budge with any wrench I have. Helped to measure from the outside from edge of window to center of the water heater and then the same on the inside to confirm where it had to be. Appreciate the help!

[dieselguy]

I really don't think the check valve has anything to do with winterizing and keeping antifreeze out of the hot water heater. The bypass valves inline and in-between the top and bottom HWH lines are what isolates the HWH from filling with antifreeze. When I got rid of my check valve, I noticed I no longer got the cold water shocker when I turned off the shower to soap up and then back on.

[RRman]

My Check Valve failed. Replacement was cost more than I thought it was worth, so per some advice I just removed the "check" plastic.
I think its just there for liquid winterizing, which I never do other than the sink, shower drains (I let the low point drains and empty the WH when it gets cold in AL....)

[jrsemrad]

The check valve prevents anti-freeze from filling the water heater when the winterizing valve is activated.

[paulinbaja]

Originally Posted by coyoterick

On my 2006 3400RL there is an access panel inside the cabinet that is just to the right of the fireplace. It's the cabinet under the counter that faces the living room.

My 2009 has this same panel.

[amyed]

There is a hot water bypass at your main hook-up panel. Check valve is not needed for winterizering as you would NOT want antifreeze in the tank.