Water heater help!!

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   I have a 2013 RP178. During de-winterization which was done by the previous owner, I was working on getting the water system flushed and sanitized. Everything was going well until I tried to get water into and out of the water heater. Is htere a water heater bypass valve somewhere? I haven't been able to find it. Any help will be appreciated!

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podman51 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 20 Sep 2024 Location: Michigan Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote podman51 Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Water heater help!! Posted: 29 Jun 2026 at 5:27am
	I have a 2013 RP178. During de-winterization which was done by the previous owner, I was working on getting the water system flushed and sanitized. Everything was going well until I tried to get water into and out of the water heater. Is htere a water heater bypass valve somewhere? I haven't been able to find it. Any help will be appreciated!

gpokluda Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 11 Nov 2018 Location: East Idaho Online Status: Offline Posts: 505	Post Options Post Reply Quote gpokluda Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Jun 2026 at 7:00am
	Yes. It will be on the blue pex line somewhere around the water heater. Here's a video that should help you https://www.google.com/search?q=water+heater+bypass+valve+Rpod&rlz=1C5MACD_enUS1090US1090&oq=water+heater+bypass+valve+Rpod&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIICAEQABgWGB4yDQgCEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyDQgDEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyCggEEAAYogQYiQUyCggFEAAYogQYiQUyBwgGEAAY7wXSAQoxMzQxM2owajE1qAIJsAIB8QVWMHr9uKWkQPEFVjB6_bilpEA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:61a1cf19,vid:68HG-5TwOuQ,st:13
	Gpokluda 2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023) 2022 Escape 5.0TA 2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB Honda SCL500

jato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3439	Post Options Post Reply Quote jato Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Jun 2026 at 7:50pm
	You have 2 options: look for the access opening in the storage area just to the side of your water heater. IF you are a contortionist you can access the 3 valves that will open the water line to the water heater. Easier IMHO to remove the luan panel above the water heater and turn the 3 valves opposite to their current location 1/4 turn. While at it, cut a hole directly above the water heater (mine measures 5" x 7") so the next time you winterize/dewinterize you can simply lift the mattress and gain easy access to those valves. Edited by jato - 29 Jun 2026 at 7:51pm
	God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

podman51 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 20 Sep 2024 Location: Michigan Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote podman51 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 Jun 2026 at 9:54am
	THANKS folks!! I knew they had to be somewhere but wasn't sure. BTW, all I did to get good access was remove the screws holding the front half of the plywood under the bed, and then lift it and the mattress up for the 30 seconds it took to open/close the three valves. Didn't put the screws back in as the mattress more than holds the plywood in place. Rod G.