Our caravan is a Swift Archway, with a Carver water heating system on-board. I'm having problems with getting the 'hot' water tank to fill. The pump is working as it comes on and the cold water works fine. Just can't fill the tank! Thanks.
No Hot Water
- Thread starter Robin_374308088
- Start date
Robin...try turning one of the taps on (on the hot side) this will open the system to allow cold water to flow into the heater tank.
At first you will get a lot of air and spluttering water until the wate flows properly. This will confirm the hot tank is full...mal
At first you will get a lot of air and spluttering water until the wate flows properly. This will confirm the hot tank is full...mal
Damian
Moderator
Robin, it is probably a stuck inlet non return valve.
Inside the van, take the polystyrene cover off the top of the heater tank.
At the bottom right as you look at the tank at the junction with the van wall, there are the inlet (Blue) hose and outlet(Red) hose.
undo the jubilee clip on the blue hose and take it off, can be quite stubborn, but take care as it is on a plastic spigot.
There should be a white ball in the end of the spigot, and it is this which is probably stuck with limescale.
Use a screwdriver and tap the ball to free it and dislodge any more scale in the spigot.
If this does not work, then you need to replace the inlet valve complete.
Inside the van, take the polystyrene cover off the top of the heater tank.
At the bottom right as you look at the tank at the junction with the van wall, there are the inlet (Blue) hose and outlet(Red) hose.
undo the jubilee clip on the blue hose and take it off, can be quite stubborn, but take care as it is on a plastic spigot.
There should be a white ball in the end of the spigot, and it is this which is probably stuck with limescale.
Use a screwdriver and tap the ball to free it and dislodge any more scale in the spigot.
If this does not work, then you need to replace the inlet valve complete.
Hello Robin,
The problem you describe is a Damian suggests commonly related to the inlet non return valve.
More frequently the actual problem is the result on not fully draining the water system over winter, and the remaining water freezing. The action of the water as it freezes pushes the valves internal shuttle and pinches the O ring seal in its seat. This jams the shuttle, and restricts the input flow but it also doesn't prevent backflow through the valve.
The solution is as Damien suggests is to remove the valve. If you are lucky, the pinched ring can be repositioned, and the valve will work again, If you are unlucky the pinched O ring may be permanently damaged, and will need to be replaced. It can sometimes be difficult to find the correct part, so the whole valve may need to be replaced.
The problem you describe is a Damian suggests commonly related to the inlet non return valve.
More frequently the actual problem is the result on not fully draining the water system over winter, and the remaining water freezing. The action of the water as it freezes pushes the valves internal shuttle and pinches the O ring seal in its seat. This jams the shuttle, and restricts the input flow but it also doesn't prevent backflow through the valve.
The solution is as Damien suggests is to remove the valve. If you are lucky, the pinched ring can be repositioned, and the valve will work again, If you are unlucky the pinched O ring may be permanently damaged, and will need to be replaced. It can sometimes be difficult to find the correct part, so the whole valve may need to be replaced.
Thanks for the information above.
I've removed the inlet pipe, the little white shuttle with a spring around it has come out as well. Also, I have an O ring.
Does this O ring fit onto the spring loaded shuttle to keep the spring in place, or do I have to remove the valve to refit the O ring inside?
Strangely, I discovered this O ring when I was removing the external drainage plug before I realised I had a problem with the hot water.
I've removed the inlet pipe, the little white shuttle with a spring around it has come out as well. Also, I have an O ring.
Does this O ring fit onto the spring loaded shuttle to keep the spring in place, or do I have to remove the valve to refit the O ring inside?
Strangely, I discovered this O ring when I was removing the external drainage plug before I realised I had a problem with the hot water.
Hello Robin,
The "O" ring should be about 6mm diameter. Now it will be difficult to describe the assembly , but I shall try;
Push the nose of the shuttle into the spring. The cross at the bottom of the shuttle will prevent the spring from falling off.
The spring and shuttle are pushed into the plastic housing from the hose end (not the threaded end) and using a the blunt end of a pencil continue to push the shuttle through the housing until the nose of the shuttle emerges through the seat of the threaded end.
Keeping the pressure on the shuttle, slip the O ring over the nose so it lodges in the grove on the nose.
Once in the O ring is in place, you should be able to remove the pencil, and the spring will try to pull the shuttle back through the housing, but the O ring will seal and hold the shuttle.
Try blowing through the valve from the hose end, with enough force the valve will open, and reseal when the pressure is removed. Try sucking, to se if the valve is sealed.
If all is well, then the housing can be refitted to the casting. Use some cooking oil to lubricate the threads, be careful not to over tighten the fitting.
If the fitting has cracked, or the threads wont screw in, you need to replace the whole fitting
The "O" ring should be about 6mm diameter. Now it will be difficult to describe the assembly , but I shall try;
Push the nose of the shuttle into the spring. The cross at the bottom of the shuttle will prevent the spring from falling off.
The spring and shuttle are pushed into the plastic housing from the hose end (not the threaded end) and using a the blunt end of a pencil continue to push the shuttle through the housing until the nose of the shuttle emerges through the seat of the threaded end.
Keeping the pressure on the shuttle, slip the O ring over the nose so it lodges in the grove on the nose.
Once in the O ring is in place, you should be able to remove the pencil, and the spring will try to pull the shuttle back through the housing, but the O ring will seal and hold the shuttle.
Try blowing through the valve from the hose end, with enough force the valve will open, and reseal when the pressure is removed. Try sucking, to se if the valve is sealed.
If all is well, then the housing can be refitted to the casting. Use some cooking oil to lubricate the threads, be careful not to over tighten the fitting.
If the fitting has cracked, or the threads wont screw in, you need to replace the whole fitting
Damian
Moderator
Robin, for the sake of the cost of a new inlet valve, just replace the whole thing, it is simply undone with a spanner, and saves all the fiddling with O rings and pencils!!!
Thanks all for your replies.
I've ordered a replacement valve as the O ring looks like it's starting to split and has lost some of its tightness around the end of the shuttle / valve. Cost for a new valve
I've ordered a replacement valve as the O ring looks like it's starting to split and has lost some of its tightness around the end of the shuttle / valve. Cost for a new valve
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