Water heater only getting lukewarm

[strutbuster1]

Just tried turning the valve 180 degrees it would only go 90

[keith4216]

Originally Posted by strutbuster1

I think I attached a picture of the back of the unit

That 3 way valve only turns 90. Streight down is flowing thru heater and pointing across is bypass. The valve may be leaking cold water across the bypass into the hot water. Theres normally a valve on the hot and cold line. Hope you get it working.

[RamblerGuy]

There's another thread going on the subject.

Bypass for hot water

You can easily check to be sure your water heater is working properly by removing the outside access door and feeling the brass temperature/pressure relief valve to see if it's hot. You could lift the lever to open it but be careful because the water should be quite hot.

If you have hot water, my guess is that the 3-way valve is not working properly. The shaft may be sheared and the ball may not be turning when you move the lever. It may be stuck partially in bypass.

[KyDan]

Originally Posted by strutbuster1

Just tried turning the valve 180 degrees it would only go 90

Once you turned the valve 90 degrees (which is CORRECT- it only turns
90 not 180) did you get more hot water?????

Water Heaters can be plumbed with 1 or 2 or 3 bypass valves!
Those with only 1 have check valves that make the system work.

I don't think you need to go buy a bunch of valves and put in a bypass
system because I think you already have one. If you didn't already have
a bypass system you wouldn't have that pipe that runs between
the hot and cold inlets on your heater.

Strutbuster1- that photo you posted in msg 6 appears to be in the
correct position. The handle should indicate flow. Your handle is
in line with the incoming cold water. If you turned it 90 deg the handle
would be in line with the bypass line which is the pipe that runs
BETWEEN the hot and cold on the tank.

As mentioned by others, you need to see if the water in your tank
is actually hot or not. You can VERY CAREFULLY open the safety valve
and see if the water that comes out is hot or just luke warm.
Be careful! Wear rubber gloves and a long sleeve rain coat or something
so the water won't burn you. It should not be scalding hot but very
uncomfortable. Thermostats are normally not adjustable and they are
typically 130 or 140 F.

If you have hot water then the valve might be defective. Rarely folks have
reported the plastic valve stem broken and the handle moves but not
the valve itself.

See if you actually have HOT water before moving on to the next step.

[strutbuster1]

I opened to outside cover and opened the relief valve the water is just lukewarm also. Could it be the element or is it the thermostat

[KyDan]

If you have a dual heat electric/LP gas heater you have 2 independent
thermostats.
One for gas and one for electric.
Both won't be bad at the same time.

Are you on electric or gas water heat??

[strutbuster1]

The gas works fine. Just trying to get the electric to working right

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Rugged Brown

That short line between the hot and cold needs to be closed by a valve. Looks like the valve was removed.

I think it is a 3 way valve and may be turned in the wrong direction.

[VinceU]

Originally Posted by strutbuster1

I opened to outside cover and opened the relief valve the water is just lukewarm also. Could it be the element or is it the thermostat

As I posted earlier could be either element or thermo. If you have a meter to safely test 120 volts, measure the wires under the element black cap. If you have full voltage, the element is energized but not working, if not the current is interrupted further back, go back to my earlier advice on thermostat bypass. Temp measure.

[KyDan]

IF the gas is working fine and you get HOT water out of a faucet it's
not the bypass valve.
I thought you had luke warm water all the time....
If your gas is fine then--

it's either your electric element or bad 120 v thermostat.
You can see photos of where these are located in the FAQ here--
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...d-r-50292.html

[BarryD0706]

Originally Posted by KyDan

IF the gas is working fine and you get HOT water out of a faucet it's not the bypass valve. I thought you had luke warm water all the time.... If your gas is fine then-- it's either your electric element or bad 120 v thermostat. You can see photos of where these are located in the FAQ here-- http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...d-r-50292.html

X2

[strutbuster1]

Thanks for all the help guys. I replaced the heating element and anode rod and went ahead and flushed out the tank. I now have HOT water. Thanks again

[KyDan]

We LOVE a happy ending!
We are often left wondering how things turned out.
Thanks for the follow up.