Atwood water heater check valve

[Stumpjumper]

Does anyone know how to get to the check valve on a Atwood water heater on an 02 Brave? Do you have to remove the dog house?

[Stumpjumper]

Does anyone know how to get to the check valve on a Atwood water heater on an 02 Brave? Do you have to remove the dog house?

["007"]

Stumpjumper your WH is on an outside wall of your coach or in a compartment below floor level. You will have a panel with a screen on it. It wouldn't be in your dog house for engine. Let us know what exactly is your problem with your water heater. ---"007"

[Stumpjumper]

Water heater would not fill up with water. Took motorhome to repair shop. They replaced the check valve. Works fine now, but it sounds like this is a recurring problem. Just wonder how one gets to the check valve in order to replace it. All I could get out of the repair service was that it is a bear to change. It must be, it cost $165.00 to get a new one put in. That's why I am interested in knowing how to change it myself, if possible. Thanks

["007"]

I have a friend who has a Brave an you can't get behind the heater unless you pull it out. Some can access behind a wall panel or under sink in kitchen or under bath sink. Some also put the old by-pass setup on WH, taking out check valves. ---"007"

[Stumpjumper]

Thanks for the help. Sounds like a "Bear" of a job. Maybe I had just better let someone else fix it.
Appreciate your help.

[bflem]

I have replaced two check valves,about $10. and mine was under the refrigerater. Not an easy place to work, took about an hour.

[SkipperT]

Last year I had the check valve replaced on my '02 Journey. It was located in the utility compartment behind the panel. It was nowhere near the water heater, but easily accessible.

[Tom N]

The check vavles I'm familiar with could all be taken apart and cleaned.

[SeaRay]

Stumpjumper,
I just had a post on this same problem.)water heater problem) I have an 01 38' Adventurer. I can see the valves behind the heater but they would be a bear to get to. I have an appt with C/W on the 5th to get them replaced. I am going to ask them to put in shut off valves instead of check valves. They are there to prevent backflow into the heater when you winterize as I understand it. We are fulltimers and I would rather have to turn off a valve then have this happen again.
Good Luck,
SeaRay

[Tom N]

Occasionally, if lucky, the check valve for the water heater bypass can be freed by gently tapping on the valve with a wrench.

[Stumpjumper]

That would be luck if it could be done that easy. My first problem is locating the check valve for the water heater on a 2002 Winnebago Brave, 34D model. Does anyone have a clue?

[troth]

Stumpjumper, I've got an '04 Brave 34D. My WH is right next to the main entry door, essentially under the co-pilot's seat. The check valves (there's two on mine) are on the backside of the water heater where the water lines attach. They cannot be accessed until you pull the complete water heater out through the cabinet door. And even then, you probably have to remove the smal vertical "wall" in the WH cabinet where the pump & some valves are located.
This presents a real challenge, and I've procrastinated taking it on. If and when I do "pull it's heart out", it'll probably be at least a two-night job... I'll replace the check valves with actual 3 way lever valves (more positive), and add a few loops of extra water line to bring the valves out for access, instead of behind the heater. I may add an accumulator tank at the same time.

[Stumpjumper]

Thanks TROTH. At least you have located the valves for me. I was afraid that the procedure would ultimately involve removing the water heater. Sounds like our heaters are located and configured the same. Appreciate your input and info.