Air in hot water

[nilesrob]

I am getting air in our hot water. I have diagnosed the air leak to be somewhere (seemingly) in the hot water heater.

If I run cold water, no air - works great. If I run hot water but bypass the heater, no air - works great. If I run the hot water lines as they should with water circulating through the hot water heater, I get a lot of air in the water.

I have checked the hot water heater drain, and that appears to be fine. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[rseagle]

Have your pressure relief valve checked! As water heats up, oxygen bubbles out. The PRV is suppose to release the air.

[Silvertwinkie]

Try to use the heater by pass and see if it still happens. If so, the issue is somewhere away from the heater.

Dumb question, but you did flush the whole system out right? I get lots of air until I flush the whole system out.

[nilesrob]

I tried turning on the heater bypass, and the air in the water stops almost immediately. It seems to be something going on within the heater.

[72 tradewind]

You should have a water leak also. I have seen bubbles in my hot water but consider it normal as I have no water leaks.

[steelbird312]

Just a suggestion.
Turn off the water pump, and unhook from city water.
Drain the hot water heater.
Put in the plug, leave the water heater turned OFF. Hook up water or turn on the pump. Open all the hot water outlets, and let them run until water runs a solid stream. Turn them off, and turn on the farthest from the hot water heater to ensure there is no air escaping. If all seems well, then turn on the hot water heater, and then check 30 minutes later.
Takes a little while, but it's free!

[nilesrob]

Originally Posted by steelbird312

Just a suggestion.
Turn off the water pump, and unhook from city water.
Drain the hot water heater.
Put in the plug, leave the water heater turned OFF. Hook up water or turn on the pump. Open all the hot water outlets, and let them run until water runs a solid stream. Turn them off, and turn on the farthest from the hot water heater to ensure there is no air escaping. If all seems well, then turn on the hot water heater, and then check 30 minutes later.
Takes a little while, but it's free!

Well, that there is the complete solution! Thank you Steelbird and everyone else - problem solved.

[steelbird312]

Nilesrob,
I lied just a little bit about it being free. If we are ever at the same place at the same time, you owe me a blizzard!
jerry