water leak suggestions

[Robert & Teri Rahn]

So I continued my investigation of the water leaking out of the hole
above the engine to the drivers side of the coolant resevoir. I looked
all around the water heater inside and it is very dry, I looked under
the bed and everything is dry there. I also checked and the water is
hot out of the faucets. Basically everything seems to be working
correctly. So should I replace thermostadts on the water heater? Or is
this some normal drainage? I turned the water heater off to see if that
makes the dripping stop. It has been dripping for several days now and
the water heater has been on for the last year or so while it has been
parked. I probably should have it off, but every once in a while we go
out and sleep in it just for fun and it is nice to be able to have hot
water ready.
Thanks for all your advice it is really a big help to me.

Robert Rahn
Kalispell, Mt.
1988 PT 40

[Pete Masterson]

I skipped over the earlier part of this thread as I don't have a hot
water heater (but have the continuous hot water from the AquaHot).

Did you check the pressure relief valve on the hot water heater? That
is the usual culprit. The relief valve allows hot water to escape if
the pressure becomes too high. Usually, only a small amount comes out
from time to time. Over time, the springs in the valve tend to weaken
-- then the valve may allow a drip or leak to continue. The operation
of the hot water heater isn't compromised (you still have hot water)
but you'll have a small drip-drip-drip or even a trickle of hot water
coming out.

Since you've left the water heater operating for long periods without
using the water, this would tend to cause repeated release of the
release valve, contributing to its early failure.

The relief valves are a common item and you can get a replacement
from a home center for a few dollars.

I've had this happen with my home hot water heater....

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
aeonix1@...
On the road at Idaho Springs, CO



On Oct 12, 2007, at 1:48 PM, Robert & Teri Rahn wrote:

> So I continued my investigation of the water leaking out of the hole
> above the engine to the drivers side of the coolant resevoir. I looked
> all around the water heater inside and it is very dry, I looked under
> the bed and everything is dry there. I also checked and the water is
> hot out of the faucets. Basically everything seems to be working
> correctly. So should I replace thermostadts on the water heater? Or is
> this some normal drainage? I turned the water heater off to see if
> that
> makes the dripping stop. It has been dripping for several days now and
> the water heater has been on for the last year or so while it has been
> parked. I probably should have it off, but every once in a while we go
> out and sleep in it just for fun and it is nice to be able to have hot
> water ready.
> Thanks for all your advice it is really a big help to me.
>
> Robert Rahn
> Kalispell, Mt.
> 1988 PT 40
>
>
>

[scoggins_jim]

Another possible culprit is the air actuated water heater drain. I
suspect Pete is probably correct though. Is the water that is coming
out hot?

Regards,
Jim

[Robert & Teri Rahn]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "scoggins_jim"
<scoggins.j@...> wrote:
>The water coming out is just a very slow drip and the temp here is in
the 30 s so it is cold.
> Another possible culprit is the air actuated water heater drain. I
> suspect Pete is probably correct though. Is the water that is coming
> out hot?
>
> Regards,
> Jim
>

[Robert & Teri Rahn]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "scoggins_jim"
<scoggins.j@...> wrote:
>The water coming out is just a very slow drip and the temp here is in
the 30 s so it is cold.
> Another possible culprit is the air actuated water heater drain. I
> suspect Pete is probably correct though. Is the water that is coming
> out hot?
>
> Regards,
> Jim
>