mcsteve wrote:
"RBM" wrote:
That's a pressure relief valve, it blows off on high temperature or
pressure. Either a control in the unit is allowing the temperature or water
pressure to rise beyond what it should, and the valve is just doing what
it's there for, or the valve has gone bad. The valve screws on to the
fitting and appears to have some type of dope or sealant on it. There is
also a possibility that the building water pressure is to high feeding into
the heater


My best guess was that it might be an over-temp/pressure valve. Similar
to a thermostat in a car. I think it might be in need of replacement. I lowered
the temp on the heater, and it seems to be OK. Except, that the water temp
is now a bit too low for my liking. I also figured it was threaded and 'doped' from
it's appearance. Might just head off to the plumbing supply joint in the a.m.,
a get a replacement. I doubt it's a pressure problem. The house is on it's
own well, with a fairly elaborate filtration system.
I ain't afraid of no pipes.

--
Steve M

Sure it's an overpressure valve, they need regular maintenance dependant
on the quality of the water supply. They just "cake up" with calcium or
salts in general, they are spring loaded and so need to be properly set
up with a pressure test. INMHO if you count the number of turns to
remove the spring loaded plunger valve and re-install with the same
number of turns after cleaning up it should be within a practical
distance of the original setting. Of course the correct way is to use a
pressure tester and calibrate it to your local code setting. The
instructions for these usually say to operate the lever once a month or
whatever to clean it but in my experience it becomes necessary to "huck"
'em out when you see the build up of salt around the outlet and pipe
connection.

Cheers .......... Rheilly P