Hey there! Two quick questions. I have a 2007 Kiefer Built LQ trailer. It has the Atwood Water heater in it. I noticed this weekend that when it is on and the water is hot it will drip from the Valve on the outside of the Heater. Same valve you use to Fill the Tank after it has been draind. My Suburban did this all the time and their website said it was normal. Atwood's site is not as informative. Any Ideas on this???

Second, I noticed on this trip that after 5-6 hours, when I turn on my water pump switch it has to "Prime" Ever so slightly. I have checked EVERYWHERE and there is no water leaking into the trailer. Only a TINY amount from under it near the back. ( Maybe a capfull every 6-8 hours). The only water lines I cannot visually see run in the bathroom under the Linen closit... But thats on the opposite side... I never remember the trailer needing to prime before. Any ideas????? Thanks!!

 

This may not apply to you but my father has an Atwood (I have suburban). His does the same as mine (and yours). By opening up a hot water faucet without the pump on (from a cold start) it allows the pressure from the expanding heated water to escape into the sink instead of building up in the system.
Also, my water pump always has to "prime" a little after driving and occasionally after just sitting over night but there should not be any water dripping from around the pump. You might want to tighten your lines to the pump and see if thats it. If its actually dripping from the pump you should get them to change it for you. It can only get worse.

 

My atwood valve leaks sometimes. If the hot water tank was empty I will open the valve when filling to let the air escape. When water comes out I shut the valve= less leaking. I dont worry about the leak, it does not leak much.

 

A rv water heater is built to have a certain air pocket. By opening the saftey valve to let the air out while filling, your defeating this and causing the valve to drip. Drain the water heater, the refill by opening a faucet somehwere. Draining your water heater occasionally or after each trip will insure this air pocket get replinished and will avoid the leaky valve.

When a pump has to reprime, it's either from an air leak between the tank and the pump, or a check valve inside the pump.

The check valve is to hold pressue once the pump is satisfied AND to stop city water flow from backfilling into the tank.

 

Thanks for all the replies guys!! I haven't had internet acess. I will refill my water tank when i get home and re establish the proper air pocket. SOunds like the Ck valve in the water pump itself. Makes sense as to why there is no water leaking anywhere...which is better than not being able to find a leak

Oh, the water pump itself is BONE DRY always has been. Thanks!

 

Ditto what those guys said on both counts...

Use a faucet to let air escape when filling the water heater should cure your dripping safety valve. Otherwise just replace the safety valve.

My water pump will bump once or twice every few hours. I think most RV pumps seep back past the check valve very slightly, and probably nothing to worry about.