John Wood Restricted Flow / Partially Closed Valve

John Wood water heater makes a high-pitched whistling or hissing noise when heating

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Possible Causes

Partially closed cold water shutoff valve, Debris in inlet or outlet fittings, Scale buildup in heat exchanger (tankless models) or on elements

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety: Use caution around hot pipes and fittings.

  • 1. Verify valves fully open: Ensure the cold water supply valve to the heater is fully open.
  • 2. Clean inlet screen: Some John Wood models have an inlet filter screen. Shut off water, remove the inlet fitting, and clean the screen.
  • 3. Descale (tankless or electric): Follow manufacturer procedures to descale the heat exchanger or elements if scale is suspected.
  • 4. Check for loose washers: Inspect nearby shutoff valves and flex connectors for loose washers that can vibrate and whistle.
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Repair Difficulty

Easy 2/5

Required Part

Cold Water Inlet Assembly
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