Weird Hot Water Heater Noise

honker · 08-28-2011, 07:58 PM

We were out camping this weekend and had the hot water on electric. The next day I heard a weird noise comming from the hot water heater. Sounds like a hissing/gurgling noise. Kinda like when the electric coffee maker is done making the pot, but still makes a hissing boiling noise for a few minutes.

It would make the noise for 2-5 minutes then stop. Then again when hot water was used. I am guessing it is related to when the element is working.

I checked for leaks at the hot water heater tank - no leaks and the pump wouldn't unexpectedly come on, as they do when there is a leak

I checked the hot taps to make sure there was no air

I checked outside at the hot water grill / access - no leaks

I pushed the pressure relief valve to make sure there was no air - water came out instantly

The hw heater worked all weekend as needed except for the noise. The hot water heater worked fine the last year, except for this weekend it just started.

The unit is a 2011 Wildcat 28RK

Any suggestions?

I took a video of the noise but I am having trouble figuring out how to upload it. It is an .avi file
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TURBS · 08-28-2011, 07:59 PM

What you are hearing is normal and yes it is the element hissing .
no worries !

snjparham · 08-28-2011, 08:02 PM

My HW heater, when on electric, makes a boiling bubbling sound. I assume it is from the heater element being on to restore the hot water to its heated temperature.

**KyDan** · 08-29-2011, 07:05 AM

The whining, hissing, gurgling noise is normal when the electric element
is heating water.
Ours is located under the bed so we sometimes shut it off at night
just so we don't hear it when we're trying to sleep.
MORE annoying is having the water pump decide to cycle at 3 am

When my wife complains about something like that I just give her my standard
answer-- "it's all part of the adventure"

Happy Camping!

honker · 08-29-2011, 07:05 AM

OK, so it should be a normal noise then?

I guess I was concerned because this is the first time it has done it in the year that we have had the fifth wheel. It is quite a loud noise. You can hear it from the front bedroom and the hot water heater is at the very rear of the trailer (rear kitchen)

Thanks

TURBS · 08-29-2011, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honker

OK, so it should be a normal noise then?

I guess I was concerned because this is the first time it has done it in the year that we have had the fifth wheel. It is quite a loud noise. You can hear it from the front bedroom and the hot water heater is at the very rear of the trailer (rear kitchen)

Thanks

Maybe you are just hearing it now because your not using the air conditioner? Or fan on air

honker · 08-29-2011, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

Maybe you are just hearing it now because your not using the air conditioner? Or fan on air

Acutally we have rarely used the AC or fan. That was my only concern. Why is it making noise now and never before. What has changed?

**KyDan** · 08-29-2011, 07:48 AM

Lime/scale built up on the heating element might make it louder but
mine has always made some noise.
It might be gradually getting louder but it's always been there in my trailer.

IF yours is on a circuit by itself, you can shut off the breaker B4 bed and
fergetaboutit.

jimh · 08-29-2011, 07:51 AM

less pressure on the system maybe? ie on the pump rather than city water?

t-dsandpiper300rg · 08-30-2011, 03:58 PM

Same Thing Happened To Me This year.

Try This:

Turn Off Water Heater and Remove Water Pressure (Turn off Pump or Shut off City Water).
Open Hot and Cold Water faucets Closet to Water Heater.
Open Pressure Relief Valve on Water Heater and Leave Open Until Water Quits Coming Out.
Close Relief Valve and Water Faucets, Turn on Water and Bleed Air.
Turn on Water Heater.

Rv Water Heaters Need A Dead Air Space inside the Heater and with Use They Will Lose It. This Procedure Will Replace It.

Hope This Helps.

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