Force 10 water heater pressure relief valve leaks.

[monroe0]

Hello,

We have a Force 10 water heater. It discharges some water out the pressure relief valve, a couple ounces a day. I don't think it should be doing this.

The original valve was rated at 125psi. The surveyor said the valve should be 150% of system water pressure (40 psi), and recommended replacing it with a 75 psi valve, which we did. This was over a year ago, I finally got around to diagnosing where water was getting in the the bilge and our pressure pump was cycling more than it should be. I did replace the valve with a new one, same issue.

The sticker on the heater says max pressure is 150psi. There is no mention of what the valve should be in the owner's manual.

I appeal to your collective wisdom and experience. Should I install a 125psi valve, just live with the problem, or is there something else I should do?

Thanks,

Doug
s/v Spartan, 1983 Freedom 39 DS
Ensenada, MX

[a64pilot]

It's a T&P valve, it will open at high temp as well as high pressure.
Is it leaking when heated with engine coolant, or electric?


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[monroe0]

Electric yes, engine unknown.

[pesarsten]

Check to make sure that you have an expansion tank on the hot water line by the heater. You can make a small one with schedule 80 pic pipe and fittings. It could be that when the heater cycles on and the water expands as it is heated, it has no place to go.


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