Common RV Water Heater Problems And How To Fix Them

RV lifestyle is fun and flexible, but it does come with a few unique challenges that can leave you questioning your life choices. Toilet, roof, and window, and tire problems can get very exhausting. The complications are even worse if you are running an old and recreational vehicle. 

Water heater issues are also too common. The good news is that most of these problems are easy to fix. The following are some common RV water heater issues and how to fix them. 

Water Doesn’t Heat Up

Faulty thermostats are the most notorious culprits of this problem. To know if your thermostat is to blame, wiggle the wires between the control circuit board and the sensors. If the light on the board blinks on & off, the thermostat is the source of your misery.

Investigate the emergency cut-off connectors and make sure they are clean and secure. If they are dirty, fix them with an electrical cleaner. If they appear to be loose, squeeze them back in place. If the terminals are worn, the best approach is to replace them and make sure you get the right sensors.

Another thermostat-related problem is the cut-off fuse. Inspect the connectivity of the fuse; if it doesn’t register on the meter, get a replacement.

Besides the thermostat, this water heater problem can also come from a bypass valve turned off. The valve is very useful during the warmer months or when the RV is in storage. It prevents other liquids from getting into the water heater and damaging the water heater system. The problem is very easy to fix, though. Just open the bypass valve, and your water will start heating. Remember to shut it off when you take your recreational vehicle back to storage.

If the problem is not the valve, check the flame from the pilot. A properly functioning system should produce a predominantly blue flame with yellow tips. If the flame is yellow, the issue could be debris accumulation in the tubing. Use your manual guide to clear the debris. You should also check for any damaged or corroded parts that may need replacing. This problem doesn’t happen for systems with tanks only. In fact, Girard tankless water heaters and other tankless water heater systems also experience similar issues. For these systems, check the heater for damaged parts inside the heater’s casing.

Insufficient Hot Water

Sometimes fixing this problem is as simple as adjusting your water heater settings. If that doesn’t fix the issue, the heating elements could be the problem. Flush the tank with high-pressure soft water to get rid of sediment that could be covering the elements. You can also use a deliming solvent.

A clogged or kinked dip tube can also reduce the amount of hot water coming from your heater. 

You should know that some issues are better handled by a professional. For instance, if something like the thermal switch or heating element is broken, an experienced technician is in a better position to make the replacement without compromising the entire boiler.

Water Has A Foul Odor

A terrible “rotten egg” smell is due to a chemical process involving the anode present in the heater and anaerobic bacteria that get into the system and accumulate over time. This reaction produces hydrogen sulfide, which is synonymous with the awful smell.

One quick but temporary fix involves flushing your water heater with hydrogen peroxide. Some people use vinegar. Pour the solution containing these compounds in the boiler and let them sit for a moment before flushing. Run distilled water through the heater once you are done.

For a permanent fix, replace your anode with aluminum/zinc anodes.

Soot Build-up

Soot is an indication of incomplete combustion. It is sometimes caused by poor airflow. Fix the problem by clearing the air intake and the main burner. Soot buildup can also be due to an obstructed chimney. If this is the problem, then you need to fix it as soon as possible because it can lead to carbon monoxide accumulation which is hazardous. 

Pilot Outage

Pilot light issues are common in LP water heaters. The problem is caused by an obstructed burner tube. Clear the obstruction with pressured air. You should also check if the valves of your LP tank are open and whether they are still supplying gas. If the problem persists, consider replacing the thermocouple. It’s an affordable item and relatively easy to replace.

Gas Burner Issues

Check the gas supply and ensure you are getting propane. If the pilot is working, the problem is not the gas supply. Proceed to inspect the main burner for any obstructions. If it is blocked, clear it out and check if the problem is fixed. The other possibilities are a misaligned flame spreader or a defective circuit board, solenoid valve, and electrode. It could also be due to the lack of voltage for the electric spark. In such a case, you’ll need to find and fix or replace the defective element.

Relief Valve Leaks

Dripping relief valve occurs when there is too much pressure in the system. It’s a normal problem and pretty straightforward to resolve. 

Start by turning off the heater and the cold water supply, then open the tap of your RV. Discharge the pressure from the relief valve until the water stops running. Release the valve, close the RV tap and turn your cold water supply back on. This procedure can be repeated multiple times as needed.

Consider getting an expansion tank if the issue persists.

Water Heater Noises

RV water heaters create screeching, whistling, and popping noises for several reasons. Screeching noises usually happen when pressurized water passes through tight spaces. It can be due to faulty/closed valves or kinks in the pipes. To fix the problem, make sure the flexible hose is not curling and the valves are correctly opened. 

Popping sounds are a sign your heating element needs to be cleaned. The noise happens when minerals precipitate and trap water in the heating elements. Use a deliming solvent to remove the minerals. If it doesn’t work, replace the heating elements.

Whistling occurs when air or steam is escaping the unit. It can happen at the drain valve and the pressure relief valve. If it occurs at the drain valve, tighten or replace the valve. If it’s at the pressure relief valve, call a professional because the issue could be severe. Whistling can also come from cracks on your tank. Sadly, this is irreparable.

It’s important to fix all RV water heater problems as soon as they happen, regardless of their severity. The different parts of this system are designed to work in synergy, which means one seemingly minor problem can always escalate into something worse. You should also perform regular maintenance to the system to prevent these issues.