No Water Coming Out of Hot Water Faucets

Y

Yachta

Member
Oct 11, 2019
38
Sturgeon Bay, WI
Boat Info
1996 Sea Ray 370
Engines
Mercruiser 7.4 MPI
Recently purcahsed a 1996 370 DA. Most times we cannot get water to come out of hot water faucets. When we do it runs for maybe 10 seconds. Looking for advice on where to start. The water heater does warm up to the touch when turned on.
 
I had the opposite problem earlier this year, I had hot water coming out of every faucet.

I considered 2 likely problems. $90 tempering valve or $9 dollar check valve. I went with the cheaper option first and it fixed the problem.
 
Little Ducky said:
If there's a weatherization bypass kit installed I'd remove it and see if that doesn't fix your problem.
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When I looked at the water heater unit I did not see anything out of the ordinary like any kind of bypass kit. When we bought the boat a month ago we had water coming out the hot faucet it wasn't really hot but it did come out. Could water shutoff on shower head be causing a problem if in fact it is turned on? Or anything with transom shower?
 
If you have good access to your hot water tank I'd open up the relief valve or drainage spigot see if you have good water flow. At least you would know if the hot water tank itself is the bottle neck.
 
Little Ducky said:
If you have good access to your hot water tank I'd open up the relief valve or drainage spigot see if you have good water flow. At least you would know if the hot water tank itself is the bottle neck.
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I will be on the boat Friday and will give that a shot. Thank you!
 
Yachta said:
Recently purcahsed a 1996 370 DA. Most times we cannot get water to come out of hot water faucets. When we do it runs for maybe 10 seconds. Looking for advice on where to start. The water heater does warm up to the touch when turned on.
Click to expand...
It sounds like you are saying that you have separate hot water and cold water faucets? Is this what you meant to say? You mentioned it a second time, the way, in a later post which is why I'm wondering.
 
R-and-R said:
I had the opposite problem earlier this year, I had hot water coming out of every faucet.

I considered 2 likely problems. $90 tempering valve or $9 dollar check valve. I went with the cheaper option first and it fixed the problem.
Click to expand...
I have that issue now. Where is the check valve on these tanks?
 
Yachta said:
I have that same question. Where do you find the valve?
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It should be right at the plumbing. It's an add-on to the fittings. Check both sides, hot and cold. It might be installed in the wrong line.

Do a test by verifying that you have water coming out of the HWH (the OUT side), by having cold line being the source on the IN side. There's always a chance of HWH internal failure. But, let's hope that your situation is as simple as a check valve.

Also just an FYI, I decided to run my system without it and see no difference. So, I don't think it's a necessary component.
11g_Water_Heater.JPG
 
Alex F said:
It should be right at the plumbing. It's an add-on to the fittings. Check both sides, hot and cold. It might be installed in the wrong line.

Do a test by verifying that you have water coming out of the HWH (the OUT side), by having cold line being the source on the IN side. There's always a chance of HWH internal failure. But, let's hope that your situation is as simple as a check valve.

Also just an FYI, I decided to run my system without it and see no difference. So, I don't think it's a necessary component.
View attachment 91253
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That is fantastic thank you for the photo and information!!!
 
Problem fixed...There was a check valve on the water inlet to the water heater. The valve was stuck closed now that its open everything is working fine.
 
Yachta said:
Problem fixed...There was a check valve on the water inlet to the water heater. The valve was stuck closed now that its open everything is working fine.
Click to expand...

I'm glad that my earlier thread helped. Once I discovered the cause, I knew that this info will help many folks. Luckily it's an easy fix for something that could take a long time to find.
 
I'm having the same problem no hot water pressure. You say the check valve is on the water inlet, but water comes out the bottom drain when opened so doesn't that mean water is getting in the tank
 
Gpr70mph said:
I'm having the same problem no hot water pressure. You say the check valve is on the water inlet, but water comes out the bottom drain when opened so doesn't that mean water is getting in the tank
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Did you verify if your tank has a check valve? Different tanks are used on small boats compared to big boats.

However, yes, if water is coming out the HWH drain, then of course water is going in.

Walk us through more detail on what is going on and what you have tried so far.
 
Took out the check valve and cleaned, I'm able to blow through it so think it's fine. Water goes in, comes out vent and faucet at bottom. Unrelated question maybe, not much water comes out bottom faucet when I'm draining tank after full, but when removed check valve a lot of water comes out. Put everything back together still very little water when kitchen and bathroom faucet only on hot. The output from water tank does have water coming out but not sure how fast it's supposed to come out, doesn't seem like enough. Bought fittings to bypass water heater and fitting to delete check valve. Will try tomorrow

Btw this is a new boat to me 2010 260, in the fall water was coming out normal, although I do need element cuz water only warm. Don't really want to buy whole new unit but may have to
 
The tank won't drain very well unless you release the vacuum inside it. Easiest way is to flip open the pressure relief valve handle. Otherwise it's like having your thumb on a straw.

If your tank uses slip-in fittings (like sharkbite), you can connect the cold water inlet hose to the hot water outlet hose with a short piece of old hose (even garden hose works).
 
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