Suburban Water Heater Diagnose And Repair

Someone put a new heating element in this Suburban water heater not long ago and the customer thought that it had gone bad again. That's not what we found. What did we find? You will have to watch to see.
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Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of All Seasons Mobile RV Service LLC and Hillbilly RV, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. All Seasons Mobile RV Service LLC and Hillbilly RV assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. All Seasons Mobile RV Service LLC and Hillbilly RV recommends safe practices when working with power tools, ladders, climbing, repairing LP gas lines or appliances, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of All Seasons Mobile RV Service LLC and Hillbilly RV, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained.

[@larrywalden626]

Now as a 35 year pipefitter, I use not only Teflon tape, but when water, steam, or condensate is present, I always put a dab of neversieze on the threads with the Teflon. It makes life easier for the next time.

[@hillbillyrv]

Probably a good idea. Thanks

[@GregOliver-j5y]

Thanks

[@mastersergeant8672]

Nothing wrong with the audio. I heard it all.

[@nicoletucker8834]

Thank you much for this video i live full time in a camper with this type of water heater. Now my issue is i have water in kitchen but not the bathroom any ideas. No leaks.

[@hillbillyrv]

Sorry. Some problems in RVs are super hard to diagnose in person, nearly impossible to do remotely. It could be so many things.

[@harryatvick]

Nice job Kenny and I don't think your prices are high at all - go to General RV in Birch Run Michigan - 240$ and hour and you have to bring your rig to them. I speak from experience as ran a woodworking business and went out on calls repair furniture - part of each call went into fund pay for gas and upkeep of my delivery van

[@hillbillyrv]

People have no idea how expensive it is to run a commercial vehicle up and down the road. I need 6 tires on the van and I am not looking forward to that bill.

[@penelopepi]

Thanks!

[@hillbillyrv]

Thank you.

[@adibarr8996]

Your camera aiming down while u chkd the thermostat? How can u tell tats ok just by looking? What am I looking for?

[@hillbillyrv]

Sorry, if the thermostats need reset, just push where it says reset. If you hear a little click then then were probably tripped. You can always pull that cover off and check power too.

[@randolphrobinson342]

Good job and a good video for me.. thank you.. I am -45 at this moment with a leak in the same water heater. Try you later

[@hillbillyrv]

Holy crap. -45 degrees? You need to move south...ha ha

[@larrywalden626]

Would been nice if you'd aleast pointed the camera on the subject at hand. Nice effort though

[@hillbillyrv]

Sorry Larry there is only so much I can do with the video and still get the work done.

[@brentsharp8234]

Even when i know what was wrong right away i still watched cuz i always pick up a random thing that makes life easier in some way or just to see if i was right. The drip was dead giveaway

[@hillbillyrv]

Thanks for watching Brent

[@robertoperez95]

Hey Brent, would you be willing to help me fix my SW6DE through a facetime call. I can pay you paypal, venmo. The only thing that doesnt work on mine is the spark

[@brentsharp8234]

@@robertoperez95 is it clicking trying to spark?

[@robertoperez95]

@@brentsharp8234 yes

[@brentsharp8234]

@@robertoperez95 go light your stove to make sure there's gas. If it lights then go out to water heater and where it sparks bend it into gas supply they tend to move (with power off to it then after ya bend it turn it back on )

[@nancymefford39]

Thank you that helps to know

[@hillbillyrv]

You are welcome Nancy

[@joerod248]

I have same water heater SW10DE but need to change gas valve and outlet manifold tube that connects valve to burner with those brass 1/4 inch nuts ? Do you need to flare new tubing ? I am puzzled how to install new tube from gas valve to burner.

[@hillbillyrv]

They have brass ferrells on them.

[@46fd04]

I'm on a trip to PEI Canada. My Suburban water heater (electric side) quit working today after a major rain storm. Rain had been blowing into the water heater and everything was wet. My small black rocker switch was stuck ON. I forced it to OFF, and then I worked it ON/OFF several times. I pressed both RESET switches, and I reset the Breaker. The Breaker had not tripped, I just turned it Off and On. My 12V Lights dimmed momentarily, so I assume the electric heater reactivated. I will find out shortly. UPDATE: I replaced the on/off rocker switch and the water heater worked once again.

[@hillbillyrv]

I hope it works now.

[@46fd04]

​@@hillbillyrvIt did not work. I'm going to pull out the little black switch tomorrow and test it. It's currently stuck On again and will not shut off.

[@bl4026]

@@46fd04mine is doing the exact same thing! If you don’t mind, how did you fix it?

[@cg60msc]

Glad to know that general troubleshooting of an RV water heater isn't rocket science...

[@hillbillyrv]

I ain't no rocket surgeon, William....ha ha

[@campingalan]

Hi there! Our new travel trailer has a 10 gallon suburban hot water heater. I've only had Atwood's in the past. Thank you for showing me these maintenance items!

[@hillbillyrv]

Be sure to check out the video that will be released at 10 am eastern today.

[@davidsedorovich841]

What is the name of the video also is there a way to check if these thermostats are functioning correctly?

[@mnnomad1870]

I wonder why my suburban water heater won't light on propane? I just had it running on electric mode and actually had it running on propane last night. Now I don't get any clicks like it's trying to light or fault light on my switch panel and I've checked all my fuses that I know of underneath my converter cover and I have propane to all my other appliances. Really don't want to go to Camping World today working.

[@hillbillyrv]

Turn the electric off and run some water. See if it lights on propane then. Maybe the water is already hot.

[@mnnomad1870]

Yep I let it sit for a while and then I ran some water and I heard a happy roar!

[@bubbablue1100]

Hey yall do me a favor when I call ya for service. Put fresh batteries in the meter before ya get here. 😅😂

[@hillbillyrv]

Does the smoke alarm chirping bother you? I don’t pay any attention to it.

[@Takingitslow]

My Suburban hot water heater's 120-volt side melted the wire by the temperature sensor that goes to the heating element. I fixed the wire and replaced the sensor only to have it melt the wire again the same day. So I tested the wires and the only thing strange I found was the ground wire that hooks to the heating element had 24 volts and this is with it disconnected from the heating element. Do you have any ideas where the ground would be getting 24 volts from?

[@hillbillyrv]

Check the heating element. It could be shorted.

[@penelopepi]

Our model must be older because it doesn't have the two breakers for the thermostats out there. It has one rubbery reset switch but I'm not sure if it works. And I'm thinking my control board must be inside under the stove too. Looks like the main burner is the same. I'm going to go search for a Suburban manual

[@hillbillyrv]

The control board is in the same place on ALL RV furnaces (no matter the brand) for the last 30 years. I have lots of furnace videos. Watch more to see if you get answers.

[@nathanurick8320]

I’m having the exact same problem right now, when you checked the element for power did you leave the wires on.

[@hillbillyrv]

You have to remove the wires and best to drain water too.

[@billcarter1182]

I learned some things from the video, thanks. But from what I could see you eventually just reset the thermostats and that got the heater working again? With all due respect it seems like that would have been the first thing to try, and then you wouldn't have needed to do anything but change out the relief valve.

[@hillbillyrv]

Well, learned some things. If I had just pushed a button, you wouldn't have learned anything.

[@billcarter1182]

@@hillbillyrv Very true, ha. And now I am trying to diagnose my water heater based on what you so helpfully showed. The gas side of the water heater works but the electric mysteriously does not work. The heating element is good (10 ohms), there is continuity through both thermostats, and the on/off rocker switch there is good. It looks like I am not getting 120V to the switch. Inside I see no thrown breakers or blown fuses. I pulled the interior switch panel. Seeing no signs of burnt wiring. The rocker switch for turning on the water heater there is good. I am having trouble determining if there is 120V at that switch, not clear on where to find a ground. I'm going back with an AC sensor that should help me trace voltage. Is the water heater on a circuit breaker that may have gone bad? What else can I look at? Any suggestions much appreciated.

[@billcarter1182]

@@hillbillyrv I found a ground. I am seeing 12V at my interior rocker switch which goes to zero when I turn the switch on. Is there a relay somewhere that it activates? If so maybe that's bad? I am seeing that there's a 'control board' for these heaters that has a relay. Any idea where I will find the control board?

[@hillbillyrv]

@@billcarter1182 Only DC power, No AC voltage at the switch inside RV. There is a connection at the water heater and there may be relay there as well. Check those. Follow the electricity.

[@hillbillyrv]

@@billcarter1182 Follow the igniter wire, you will find the control board. Yes, there might be a relay.

[@El_Soldado_619]

I have a 2006 Hitchhiker Trailer, why would I have hot water in the kitchen sink and not in the shower? Is there a valve I need to turn on? Thank you for the video.

[@hillbillyrv]

I don't know. That's kind of crazy.

[@El_Soldado_619]

@@hillbillyrv very odd indeed…thank you for replying Sir.

[@user-qf2mk7ru3f]

Is your service truck a old ambulance

[@hillbillyrv]

Nope. It's always been a service truck.

[@mgroves2305]

Wouldn’t the heating element only have 120v if the thermostat was reading low water temperature??

[@hillbillyrv]

Yes. If it has hot water in it when I get there, first turn WH off and run a lot of water to cool it down.

[@user-uq5el8ut9l]

Thank you sir, I put in a new suburban propane water heater in my RV only about 5 months ago and yesterday it stopped working the burner will light up and burn just for a few seconds and turns off. I wonder if it's a flame sensor?? Do you know just where that is and can you clean it or do you have to replace??

[@hillbillyrv]

It could be, but probably the control board. It's still under warranty.

[@user-uq5el8ut9l]

@@hillbillyrv I believe you are right. Thank you, I imagine the only way to test that electronic control panel is to just replace it?? I bought it on Amazon, home delivered $454... Tillamook RV repair wanted $992

[@penelopepi]

​@@user-uq5el8ut9lisn't the flame sensor the thermo fuse attached to the thermostat?

[@mnnomad1870]

How would you adjust the air on the burner if it doesn't have slide like the atwoods do? Mine is suburban just roaring with a pretty much wide/yellow flame. I know there's a little hex screw in there but not sure what it does.

[@hillbillyrv]

yeh, no air adjustment on those.

[@mondahudson2327]

Would like to see a video on getting the heating element OUT. I can't get it out. Any suggestions?

[@hillbillyrv]

Put a socket on it and turn it out with a ratchet.

[@mondahudson2327]

@@hillbillyrv what size? I've tried the I think you call it a hexagon? My men friends have tried and keeps coming off.. I've heard there is a special tool for when it's that hard. Thank you for replying. Can't get a technician out cuz we live too far out

[@hillbillyrv]

@@mondahudson2327 Yes they do make a special socket for that. Sorry I don't know the size.

[@chrisrygh6838]

No hot water resets stuck, on off switch stuck?

[@hillbillyrv]

Could be those things.

[@yamahar192]

I have the same water heater in this video . Water heater was working fine since I've had the rv for a yr . I took a shower an after , I smelled an electric burning smell an the AC power cord to the water heater was getting hot so I unplugged it waited little while then plug it back in thinking maybe there wasnt water getting to the tank due to switching from electric water pump to regular hose water connection now I have no hot water just warm not hot should I replace the whole system now ? Please help I'm an auto mechanic not a rv one

[@hillbillyrv]

You only have to change the whole water heater if the tank gets a hole in it. Just take a deep breath and then get your multi meter out and watch some of my other water heater videos and start diagnosing it. You will figure it out.

[@chuckmartin9241]

Why didn't you tell me you had a channel Kenny? Hope to see you Monday or Tuesday. Thanks Chuck

[@hillbillyrv]

It didn't come up :) Just tracked the landing gear. Looks like it has not been picked up by UPS yet. The label was created yesterday.

[@chuckmartin9241]

@@hillbillyrv just holler if you hear anything! Thank you very much

[@hillbillyrv]

@@chuckmartin9241 You will be the second to know.

[@nathanurick8320]

I’m actually outside right now trying to follow your steps. Can you tell me what you have your meter turned to, is it just volts?

[@hillbillyrv]

AC Volts for the AC side. DC Volts for the DC side.

[@themodifiedlife2774]

Hello great videos, I need some help with a brand new surburban 10 gallon hot water heater. I just installed it in a Forrest River sand piper 5th wheel, im having trouble with no hot water pressure at all coming out of the new tank, none of the hot water faucets have anything coming out. The cold side works fine at all faucets and it’s hooked up to city water. The tank has been heating up fine so far because I have checked the water with the drain plug. I have been searching everywhere and have found people keep telling me it’s a check valve or bypass valve. Well I full time in this rv and have had a leak before so I have taken out all the bypass valves and also there is no check valve at back of hot take hook up, I just have a clear plastic thread tube where the water connection screws to. I am stumped on why I have nothing coming out of anywhere. The tank that was before it worked fine and haven’t changed nothing in the system. Had to replace tank because it rusted a hole in it. Any advice? Thanks

[@hillbillyrv]

I would have said the check valve or bypass valve. Loosen the waterline at the top of the tank and see if anything comes out. If it does, then you have a blockage in your waterlines. If nothing comes out, then the problem is in the tank.

[@themodifiedlife2774]

@@hillbillyrv thanks for replying ok I’ll check to see if there is anything coming out, what would u say could be in the tank if something was blocking it being it’s a brand new tank? Also there is a little black piece that’s inside the hot water outlet treads, is that supposed to be there? Looks like a plug but when I have tried to get it out it won’t move?

[@hillbillyrv]

@@themodifiedlife2774 I have no idea what that is, but I bet it is your problem. That pipe should be wide open.

[@themodifiedlife2774]

@@hillbillyrv well the old tank that we took out has white plugs on both inlet side and outlet so I thought it must be a factory thing

[@themodifiedlife2774]

@@hillbillyrv so I opened the hot water side and no water came out, I then turned off water and drained the tank and then undid the cold inlet side and then realized the plastic piece i installed was a check valve and it was going in backwards. Do u think that effected it from flowing out the hot side? The plastic piece cross threaded on me when I went to reinstall it so now have to get a new one before I get to test it out.

[@davidsedorovich841]

Seems my water heater doesn't shut off. Any ideas how to fix it?

[@hillbillyrv]

Maybe the thermostat is bad? Check out this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmawiZanjcl9m5o

[@l4boss]

Would of been nice to actually see what you were doing.. js

[@robertsutherland460]

I was hoping you would trouble shoot the gas side of the heater. my gas wont light.

[@hillbillyrv]

Sorry maybe next time.

[@adibarr8996]

Yes. My light isn't coming on when I turn my propane tank switch on. I'm not familiar either

[@hillbillyrv]

@@adibarr8996 Make sure all of your 12 volt DC fuses are good.

[@adibarr8996]

@@hillbillyrv done.

[@adibarr8996]

OMG! The outside on/off rocker switch was flipped on! (where the water tank's outside access is) switching it to electric ..which apparently doesn't work!! Yikes!!

[@robertoperez95]

Hi HillbillyRV. I have the same suburban system. I suspect its my sparker. How would I diagnose the issue

[@hillbillyrv]

I don't know what you mean by sparker? The electrode or board?

[@robertoperez95]

@@hillbillyrv Electrode! Also, will this system heat up with electricity alone?

[@hillbillyrv]

@@robertoperez95 Electrodes a not expensive. I don't really know how to test, so if it is suspect, just change it. If the water heater has an electric element and it is working, yes, it will heat on electric.

[@anneveach1825]

could not see the reset portion...

[@hillbillyrv]

I know Anne, I really suck at doing KZbin videos. I'll try harder next time.

[@kevinn6178]

Hilarious response!

[@williamcunningham1586]

Seroiusly, the camera?

[@hillbillyrv]

Ok?

[@miguelcaceres6550]

Hi can you come n fix my water heater if you work in rv thanks

[@hillbillyrv]

Where are you?

[@christophermoore5190]

You obviously have knowledge to diagnose, but you video skills suck because we can't see a dang thing that your working on

[@hillbillyrv]

I say my video skills suck all the time. I totally agree with you.

[@KingdomChurchSC]

Can’t see what your doing. Bad video

[@hillbillyrv]

I do the best I can.

[@chrisandstephanieashley3510]

Thank you

[@hillbillyrv]

You are welcome