Water heater dripping at outside access panel

[Hikesail]

Hi,
I’m new to Airstream and I have many questions. This morning I saw water dripping from the water heater. It’s outside and also a red ring is now on the bottom of the area. The dripping is from the fitting. Is this normal or do I have a problem?

I have a 2018 Tommy Bahama 27fb. I’d call the dealer, but they haven’t done the warranty work from my delivery yet.

Any help would be appreciated.

[VTSmitty]

Could be time to reset the air gap. Easy 5 minute job, check the manual.

[HowieE]

There are 2 possible sources for water to escape the heater towards the outside.



The drain plug may be loose. Bottom left hand side of the heater.



The pop safety valve, top center. This valve is not intended to be exercised but all too often someone will pull the leaver and once pulled the often leak.


Not sure what the red ring you are talking about is but pictures may help.

[wulfraat]

Likely drain plug. Mine did the same thing. Let the water cool, remove drain plug (drain tank), apply plumbers tape or compound to drain plug threads, re-install. Done!

[gypsydad]

Not sure if this is your issue, but mine was leaking from the pressure drain valve. First time, I was told to "whack" the release valve lever with a piece of wood or a rubber mallet". So I got a piece of 2x4 and a hammer and did just that. It stopped leaking that trip. Then started to drip again next trip...and this time the "whack it" method did not work. Several folks told me this was not unusual to have that drain/pressure relief valve leak; faulty likely. I went to Home Depot and bought a replacement; took about 5 min to replace. No more issues.

[Msherw]

Mine leaked until I discovered the 'Air Pocket' and once it was in place, no more leaks. Air pocket is a hot air cushion on top of the hot water. If it is correctly in place, no water leaks.

From https://www.hot-water-heaters-review...r-repair.html:

If the dripping problem occurs often here is the way how to repair the RV hot water heater; by allowing the air pocket to be established.

Turn of the RV water heater and cold water supply.
Open the tap in the RV.
Let the water out through the pressure relief valve till it stops.
Once the water stops running, release the valve handle.
Close the tap in the RV and turn on the cold water supply.
As the cold water fills the tank, the air pocket will develop. Repeat the procedure as often as needed.
If this is not the solution for your problem, than an expansion tank needs to be installed.

[68 TWind]

Usually the first trip of the year my Atwood will drip a little from the pressure valve. I just put on a glove and very quickly pull up the lever on valve just enough to "burp" the tank for only a second and release it. Be very careful and wear a thick glove because stream and hot water will come out. Works every time for me.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

These valves can easily get a bit of crud in them. The "burp the valve" approach is the best way to deal with that issue. What first comes out may well be antifreeze (thus the red / pink color). Yes this makes you wonder about how things were flushed out and/or done previously.

Bob

[crazylev]

Is it leaking continuously or just for the first 5-10 minutes of heating? Ours does that then sort of stops. Condensation?

[Wrangler]

The water heater in our Scamp would drip from the relief valve each Spring until the water heated the first time. The additional pressure from heating would seat the valve and then no more leaks until, I exercised the valve in the fall when I winterized.

[Johnnyooo]

It could be the drain plug on the bottom left side of the heater...Take it off using a socket wrench, and use plumbers teflon tape or thread sealant.. That should stop the leak...

[jsweterlit]

I have this exact same problem in my 2020 30 ft. Flying Cloud, including the red ring sitting at the bottom of the panel when I opened it. I was wondering if you ever solved this problem.

[GCinSC2]

Originally Posted by jsweterlit

I have this exact same problem in my 2020 30 ft. Flying Cloud, including the red ring sitting at the bottom of the panel when I opened it. I was wondering if you ever solved this problem.

Any chance to post a pic of what you are seeing?

[jsweterlit]

I have this exact same problem in my 2020 30 ft. Flying Cloud, including the red ring sitting at the bottom of the panel when I opened it. I was wondering if you ever solved this problem.

[jsweterlit]

Looks like it’s the red plastic piece here that just popped out?
https://www.dyersonline.com/dometic-...shoppingengine

[GCinSC2]

I don’t see an image.

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by jsweterlit

I have this exact same problem in my 2020 30 ft. Flying Cloud, including the red ring sitting at the bottom of the panel when I opened it. I was wondering if you ever solved this problem.

If you have a red plastic ring laying loose, it may have come from the pressure relief valve. Some of them have an insert that is meant to protect the threads from damage prior to being installed. Since the RV water heater does not need the relief drain pipe extended a threaded fitting is not installed, so that plastic ring gets left in. If that is what it is, you can either toss it in the trash, or stick it back in place. It is not a necessary part.

If the relief valve is leaking/dripping the air in the top of the water heater tank has most likely been lost. This air is needed for expansion inside the tank. (this is described in the water heater manual that is part of the paperwork you should have received with your trailer)
To restore the air cushion:
1- turn off the water heater (both propane and electric)
2- run water through a faucet until the hot water is depleted
3- turn off all water sources (shore water or pump from the tank)
4- make sure the water heater is cooled completely, then open the water heater safety pressure relief valve (pull the tab outward until it is straight out) and open a hot water faucet to let water drain, until it stops.
5- let the relief valve tab snap back into position. (optionally/maybe faster, you can remove the drain plug to remove water, but still open the relief valve and let it snap back to reset the seal)
6- turn on water, open a faucet until the HW tank refills.
7- check for leaks, if no leak - use water heater normally.

ps:
I assumed you have a Dometic/Atwood water heater. If your trailer has a boiler for heating the interior and also hot water, the part above regarding restoring air, is not correct.

[jsweterlit]

Thank you so much. That’s very helpful.

[GCinSC2]

Originally Posted by jsweterlit

Looks like it’s the red plastic piece here that just popped out?
https://www.dyersonline.com/dometic-...shoppingengine

That link is showing a cap in a gas valve to keep debris out until installed.