Water Heater Bypass

[Coby]

Not sure this is where I post a repair question but here goes. Went to winterize my 2019 Cougar 25 RES and set the valve to bypass the hot water tank. When I pumped up the antifreeze a good amount came out of the hot water tank. Anyone have the same issue and what repairs were needed. Thanks

[chuckster57]

Welcome to the forum

If you have a bypass valve in the docking station, try turning it to the other position and try it.

[Coby]

Thanks for the reply re the water heater bypass valve. Last year when I winterized I moved the valve to the indicated position and I had no issues. This year the antifreeze came out of the hot water tank. I did move the valve and that did not work.

[chuckster57]

I would try cycling the valve, and if that doesn’t work I think your looking at replacing it.

[JRTJH]

The bypass valve is located adjacent to the water heater cold water inlet port. There is a "vertical PEX tube" that goes to the top water heater port (hot water outlet). The hot water outlet has a one way valve in it that works in conjunction with the bypass valve. Together they prevent backflow into the water heater. If the top "one way outlet valve" is stuck open, you'll still have a "normally operating water heater" but when the winterizing valve is turned, water and antifreeze will flow "up the bypass PEX tube" and then both to the hot water faucets AND into the top port of the water heater, causing antifreeze to flow out of the water heater tank onto the ground....

If both positions on the winterize valve (not closing off the cold water inlet) or the outlet backflow valve (allowing water into the top of the water heater tank).
So, it could be the winterize valve or the one way "hot water outlet" valve...

In either case, troubleshooting is necessary to find/fix the problem...

Don't forget to flush the antifreeze out of your water heater tank, it is corrosive to the tank and/or to the anode rod if left in the tank for any length of time.

[chuckster57]

Since we don’t winterize out here, I brain farted on the outlet one way valve. Glad you caught it.

[Coby]

Thanks all. Unit put away for the season. Will look at again in the spring.

[chuckster57]

Did you rinse out the water heater tank?

[Coby]

I did rinse out the water heater. Thanks