Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 10-18-2009, 11:58 PM   #1
Bronze Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Gulf Island BC
Posts: 21
Default "Stuck" Bypass valves in 1995 PW ....

Before winterizing, I attempted to close the 2 bypass valves(see photo below...one at the cold and one at the hot..grey, metal "half wing" handles) in our (new to us) 1995 PW and discovered they would not turn. I unscrewed the handles, took them off, used different lubricants but to no avail. Since the previous 2 owners always kept this PW in heated garages, I suspect they had no need to winterize or use the bypass valves. My guess is that they have corroded over the years and are now "corroded/stuck" in the open position.
My question:
Is there anyway to make these work again short of taking the assembly all apart?
Logically I am wondering why there are 2 bypass valves. Would one bypass valve not do the job of keeping the antifreeze from going into the hot water tank?
If I left the original bypass valves as they are, in the open position.... and put in a new bypass valve in the center of the white hose (that goes between the 2)..........is this a good ? Is it doable?
Thoughts? Advice?

Attached Images
File Type: jpg BYPASS VALVES.jpg (108.9 KB, 568 views)
mamello is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2009, 06:54 PM   #2
Gold Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Calgary
Posts: 76
Default Re: "Stuck" Bypass valves in 1995 PW ....

I have the same model/year PW, and I just winterized it last week. My water heater bypass arrangement is identical to yours and I have similar problem with the valves. They did turn; they were just incredibly stiff and the "handle" length doesn't give much leverage. I could not turn them by reaching through the front access door panel; I had to lift the seat and reach down from above - allowed me a little more leverage. I was going to use a pair of vice grips on them, but with a lot of effort (tough on the thumbs) they turned.
The previous owner of the van (I bought it a year ago, so this is the 2nd time I've winterized it) did use a short separate bypass. It's a length of tubing (about the same length as the installed bypass line) with an elbow and female fitting at each end. He just disconnected the in/out lines (grey tubing) from the bypass valves and connected them to this temporary bypass, leaving the heater (together with the problematic valves and the white bypass line) totally isolated from the water system. I don't think a single valve in the white bypass line would actually accomplish anything, but the above method works very well. I think I may have even seen such bypasses for sale at RV dealers.
As an after comment, he (previous owner) was also concerned about mice getting in the van, and he would wrap something over the inlet and outlet of the heater to prevent any possibility of a mouse finding its way into he heater (although I find it ard to imagine a mouse squeezing throughn one of those valves).
Hope that helps. I may use his system next year, particularly if I have same problem with valves in the spring...

Les
LesM is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2009, 09:43 PM   #3
Bronze Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Gulf Island BC
Posts: 21
Default Re: "Stuck" Bypass valves in 1995 PW ....

Thanks Les. That was very helpful. I will try again with some vice grips (my thumbs are too sore from trying!)to see if they will turn. If not the short separate bypass you describe could do the trick I am sure.
Cheers,
Mamello
mamello is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT. The time now is 10:56 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.