LoneWolfWarrior
No where
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Joined: 11/05/2011
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Hey everyone,
So when I winterized the RV (for the first time for me) I was told to turn the bypass knob all the way to the left until it stopped and the other two knobs (cold and hot water I'm guessing) all the way to the right until it stops so that it closes those two and keeps the bypass open so no antifreeze gets into the tank. Welllllll..... Obviously I found out that was wrong! I followed these directions and a little while after it was winterized, I saw anti-freeze leaking out of the water tank outside the rv (I didn't replace the plastic plug right away and it's a good thing otherwise I wouldn't have known).
So, my question is, how do I remove the anti-freeze now that I am ready to head out and de-winterize? Can I just flush it out with water using the city water line?
I don't plan on drinking the water from the fresh water tank (not at least until sring comes and I have a chance to learn more about sanitizing the tank and making sure everything is clean - the previous owner didn't seem to know much about his unit - he's the one who told me how to winterize above). So I'm not worried about drinking any anti-freeze, but I was concerned about the water in the tank being heated if there is any trace of anti-freeze.
Should I be concerned, or just flush it and not worry so much (rving is supposed to be relaxing, right?? lol).
Thanks!!
P.s. I have a 2000 Fourwinds Hurricane with what I believe is an Atwood water heater (plastic knob thingy  no anode).
LoneWolfWarrior
2000 Four Winds Hurricane 33SL
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katysdad
Virginia
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Joined: 08/03/2010
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just flush it out with the drain plug out and your'e good to go
Dodge Ram 3500 DRW Diesel
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mobeewan
Hampton, Va
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Joined: 01/03/2007
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When draining the water heater you never get all the water out of it so if you plan on leaving the trailer winterized for now just replace the drain plug and leave it until dewinterizing the trailer. It will not hurt anything. If you plan to use the trailer soon, after dewinterizing the rest of the lines through the city water connection remove the drain plug and turn the valves to let the water flow into the hot water tank and let a few gallons flow out the drain hole. Turn off the water and then reinsert the drain plug. Follow sanitizing procedure.
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old guy
Oregon (pronounced Or e gun)
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Joined: 03/15/2006
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if you do it now you will have to winterize all over again . just leave it the way it is and just flush fresh water through it. it will not hurt the tank nor will it hurt it if you don't get it all out next spring. But I do suggest you put the plug back into the drain so you won't have bugs in your heater.
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Old-Biscuit
Across the USA
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Joined: 06/20/2009
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On your water heater
The top valve is 'hot water out'......clockwise to close
The bottom valve is 'cold water in'.....clockwise to close
The valve between that connects top/bottom lines is 'bypass'....counter-clockwise to open
As suggested........just flush & drain the heater
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mlts22
Austin, Texas
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Joined: 11/15/2010
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It is good you have an Atwood. Suburban anodes get chewed up quickly by RV antifreeze.
Since you are de-winterizing, I'd just take some time at a CG and flush everything thoroughly by running hot water faucets until you see no pink stuff whatsoever. Don't forget to re-winterize as stated above.
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johnbhicks
Southeast
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Joined: 07/25/2009
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If you're dewinterzing just run the hot water tap just about forever. That'll flush it out.
You won't really hurt anything by running the water heater; the water will be fizzy and taste funny but it'll clear, but it's better to just let it run out.
-C&J-
www.fugawetribe.com
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Rvpapa
Alberta , Can.
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Joined: 08/07/2002
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I would think that the bypass valves on the heater are not in very good shape. If they were not turned the proper way to winterize, all of the antifreeze would have dumped on the ground. If they were proper there would be none at all in the heater. If it did in fact dump on the ground, the hot water side of the plumbing is not winterized.
Art.
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MNtundraRet
Bloomington, MN
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Joined: 12/06/2007
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No problem. In the past many RV's did not come with by-pass valves so enough antifreeze had to be added to fill hot-water tank and additional to fill the pipes.
If you pull the water-heater plug you can drain most of it that way. Then it won't take that long running hot water faucet (valves set to include water-heater) to flush fresh water through the system.
On our first trips we carry water for drinking. The residual water can be used dishes, washing, showers, etc.
Mark & Jan "Old age & treachery win over youth & enthusiasm"
2003 Fleetwood Jamboree 29
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LarryJM
NoVa
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Joined: 11/09/2007
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Just rinse it out the best you can and the several comments about it tasting funny, etc. makes me wonder why folks are drinking hot water to start with.   The traces of antifreeze in the hot water system shouldn't hurt a thing IMO.
Larry
2001 standard box 7.3L E-350 PSD Van with 4.10 rear and 2007 Holiday Rambler Aluma-Lite 8306S Been RV'ing since 1974.
ALL TRAILER MODS>>ETERNABOND INSTALL>>RAINKAP INSTALL
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