20 Most Recent General Electric GE SmartWater Household Water Filtration System - GNWH38F - Page 5 Questions & Answers

The system is most likely running to the drain. Bypass the water softener to see if the whining stops. If it is running to the drain it is either stuck in backwash cycle or the interior seals are bad and need to be replaced. If it is stuck in backwash the drive motor is probably bad and needs to be replaced.
Here is a link to GE website for manual
http://genet.geappliances.com/DocSearch/Dispatcher
RJ

Hi jbboggeri,

Welcome to fixya!

I would go ahead and open the new set and install them. If you get pressure, you know the others were bad and can send them back for a refund.
If there is no change, you can always put them away and use them again later.

Please reply back and let me know how it went. Thanks,

Handie Andie

Here is the link for the manual for your GE model gxss20b softener.
http://genet.geappliances.com/DocSearch/Dispatcher?REQUEST=ShowPDF&FileName=49500623.PDF

RJ

If it's leaking from a hose then you can try unscrewing the hoses, put some Teflon tape on the water heater threads and tighten. If it's leaking from the rim or under the threads call a appliance repairman.

Open following links to get started.
If water heater has NO hot water, then best suspect is ECO reset button tripped on upper thermostat. Open upper cover and push in red reset button. If reset keeps tripping, I usually replace both upper and lower thermostat.

If water heater has some hot water, then upper element is good so test lower element.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-water-heater-element.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

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Many times fines from these filters become dislodged and plug up the filter housing. If you have the bypass plug for the filter, install it and run a couple gallons of water through fridge to flush the system completely. The install the filter again. Make sure none of the water lines feeding fridge are pinched or kinked and valve is on all the way.
RJ

If you have GATE valves on either side of the filter make sure the have opened all the way. They can become unscrewed and although it seems like it opened they gate can be almost closed. If the outside spigots are on hard water try the pressure there.
Water filters for pre-filter housings come in different micron ratings. They can be anywhere from .5 micron on up to 100 micron. The smaller the number the finer particulates it filters out and the faster it will plug up. Generally most filters used for residential households are 5 micron to 50 micron rating and the most common used are 10,30 or 50 micron. Try a 30 or 50 micron filter to see if it helps. But remember the larger the micron rating the more particulates pass through.
If there is a lot of sediment coming the well and building up in the bottom of the pre-filtet housing you may want to flush the well or consider having the well inspected by a well company. You could have a pinhole in the drop pipe that is letting sand in.
Run one of the outside spigots in to a clean white bucket, let the pump cycle several times and inspect for sediment in bucket, let it settle for about 20 minutes to see if excess sediment is coming from well. Have your water tested to see if the water chemistry has changed also.
RJ

Here is the web page for GE. You will probably have to replace the whole faucet. When you call have the model # available for your system so they can supply the appropriate faucet. You may as well order more filters as they will be less expensive ordering on-line. These filters should really be changed every 6 months.
http://products.geappliances.com/ApplProducts/html/GEAResults.htm#Category=Dual_and_Single_Stage_Water_Filtration
These faucets are relatively easy to replace for the do it yourselfer.
RJ

1) Lift TP lever and lower back down to dislodge anything stuck in valve
2) Replace TP valve with generic one from hardware store

Steps for replacing valve are shown on link below
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-TP-valve.html

If it is coming from the canister, pull it off, check the o-ring, it is probably pinched. It will need to be replaced.
RJ

It sounds like there is quite a bit of sediment in the water. The filter you are using may be a very fine micron 5-10. Try using a 30-50 micron filter.
RJ

This could be caused by several different issues. A faulty switch on the well, bad well tank, bad check valve. If you have a water softener, bypass it to see if pressure loss is through it. That carbon filter will cause even more pressure loss. Turn a cold water faucet on, let the well cycle several times and observe the cut-in and cut-out pressure. Typical well pressure pressure will be 40-60psi.
RJ

The eductor assembly is plugged and the unit is not drawing brine. The eductor assembly looks like a space capsule it is on the left side of the valve. It needs to be taken apart and cleaned.
Here is the link for the manual.
http://products.geappliances.com/ApplProducts/Dispatcher?REQUEST=SpecPage&Sku=GNWH38F
RJ

I suggest taking the filters all out and inspecting them. Something is restricting the flow and it sounds like there is an air lock. Also at times carbon fines will plug up the head of the filtration system. So take it all apart, inspect it and see if the head needs cleaning. Put new filters in when done and run the water at faucet until all air is purged and fines flushed out.
RJ

This generally indicates the outlet manifold on softener is partially plugged. This needs to be removed and either cleaned or replaced.
RJ

Here is your link to GE for this unit. All the manuals you need should be here.
RJ

Check the micron rating on the filter. A typical filter will be 30-50 micron. If the new filters are a finer micron 5-10 these will reduce the water pressure significantly and plug up much faster. Also note if you have more sediment occurring. If on a well, hook a hose up to the drain at the well tank and flush the tank out to a floor drain, take note of any sediment, let the well kick on several times to flush completely.
RJ

Try putting a box of baking soda in the fridge and freezer.
RJ

If you can shut the cold water off at the water heater you should not have to turn the water off outside. Drain hot water from taps at lowest point in house, hook a hose up to boiler drain at base of WH and drain some water from here. Do as you stated and shut gas off to be safe. Change supply line.
RJ

This is the install manual for this filter housing. This should answer your question.
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/yhst-29697636949810/fxutc-installation-manual.pdf
RJ