Cranky water heater.

[wyhjr]

Just got back from a trip to Dallas to spend Thanksgiving with our daughter and new grandson.
The water heater in our 2000 Safari worked fine for about 4 days and then it started acting up. It would fire up and run for about 20 or 30 min and then lock out. It would not start up again until everything cooled down. Then it would run again for about 20 min.
Another symptom is that the pressure relief valve dribbles even after opening and running the hot side of a faucet to relieve pressure.
The water heater on our previous trailer was unreliable also.
Any suggestions before I get an electric heater element?

[Pick]

It sounds like the thermostat is not working and it is overheating the water. This could be why the relief valve is "leaking", and the unit is shutting down, until cool. Does the hot water seem REALLY hot? Does the unit have electronic controls, or is it a standard pilot ignition type water heater?

[wyhjr]

Yes, the water does seem pretty HOT!
As far as your other question, the unit is a standard unit with electronic ignition(no pilot light).
Thanks for any suggestions.

[gwsullivan]

I had the same problem with mine. I replaced the pressure relief valve and that solved the problem. I think Atwood used the cheapest valve they could find.

[john hd]

sounds like you have no air space in your tank.

check your owners manual. it should show what i am talking about. there needs to be air in the tank to keep the t and p valve from leaking.

all you do to fix it is drain the tank thru the lower plug and refill.

john

[Chas]

This may seem to be a dumb one but make sure the water heater bypass valve is set right.

It has happened to the best of us!!