Hot Water Heater Drain

5

5erWonk

Well-known member

• Dec 8, 2007

• #1

Anybody had a problem opening the hot water heater drain....I have not tried to remove the plug since taking delivery in Feb '07. I have applied penetrating oil and it won't budge.....I'm worried if I put a cheater bar on it I may damage the bung on the heater.

Any suggestions?

 

F

Forrest Fetherolf

Senior Member

• Dec 8, 2007

• #2

You only have two choices now, leave it alone or get out the cheater bar. More than likely, yours being an 08, it just needs a little extra muscle to break it loose. Mine is was built 8/05, the cheater worked 1st time 9/07 w/o damage.

Forrest

 

nhunter

Well-known member

• Dec 9, 2007

• #3

Mine was also very tight and had to use cheater bar. A little anti-seize goes a long way.

 

jpmorgan37

Well-known member

• Dec 9, 2007

• #4

I just put in a new Anode rod two days ago and my 18" breaker bar took the old one out with little effort.

 

Ray LeTourneau

Senior Member - Past Moderator

• Dec 9, 2007

• #5

Ditto, ditto and ditto. I did mine a few weeks ago and needed a cheater.

 

5

5erWonk

Well-known member

• Dec 9, 2007

• #6

Thanks guys, I got it off. I'm surprised that the anode is already half consumed close to the attachment with the plug. Guess I'll go ahead and replace it so I'm not fishing it out of the tank this summer.

 

katkens

Founding Illinios Chapter Leader-retired

• Dec 9, 2007

• #7

5erWonk said:

Thanks guys, I got it off. I'm surprised that the anode is already half consumed close to the attachment with the plug. Guess I'll go ahead and replace it so I'm not fishing it out of the tank this summer.

Click to expand...

When I drained mine for the winter I measured only 5/8" deterioration at the rods plug end, though bespeckled the entire length. I filter all my water going into the water system and believe that has a lot to do with how much that that little bugger has to work....Ken

 

DennisZ

Well-known member

• Dec 9, 2007

• #8

I replaced my factory anode with a unit from CW that has a drain valve builtin. Works good for a quick drain. I still pull the whole unit at the end of the season to clean out the unit.

Here is a link to the item. http://campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?skunum=28796

Dennis

 

H

Happy Campers

Well-known member

• Dec 9, 2007

• #9

I drained the water heater after camping for 7 days and the anode rod had speckles on it also.I don't like to leave water in the tank and the plug was also tight.The plug did have teflon tape on the threads.

 

Retyred

Active Member

• Dec 9, 2007

• #10

Anode Rod

The anode rod for the Suburban water heater is available from Camping World parts counter.
Retyred

 

5

5erWonk

Well-known member

• Dec 9, 2007

• #11

When I went to buy a new one from my local dealer they told me there is a wire through the core that will not allow it to become detached from the plug....They told me to come back next year.....Guess I saved a buck.

 

HOSS

Active Member

• Apr 14, 2008

• #12

I just tried to put the anode rod in for the first time since taking delivery of the BH 3670RL. It started real easy but got real tight about half way in, about 1/4 of threads still showing, is this O.k. or should I try and tighten it the more? Any help is appreciated since this is the first time taking it to our local camp ground to do the shake down before we hit the open road.

 

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Goldenwingers

goldenwingers

• Apr 14, 2008

• #13

As I recall that is normal. I use plumbers tape on mine and get it good and snug then turn on the water and check for leaks.

Don

 

V

vangoes

Well-known member

• Apr 14, 2008

• #14

Hoss,
I think that is normal; mine is the same way. The first time I really noticed it, I took the plug to my garage and wire brushed the threads completely clean from any rust and also wire wheeled the treads inside the fitting in the heater. After all this, the plug still seems as if it does not go in all the way. So, in short, just snug it down and forget about it.

 

jnbhobe

Well-known member

• Apr 14, 2008

• #15

The threads on the water tank are 3/4 pipe thread witch are a tapered thread the farther it does in the tighter they get Hope that helps

 

HOSS

Active Member

• Apr 14, 2008

• #16

Thanks ya'll, I put the plumbers tape on it and snugged it good and tight. Will check for leaks tomorrow when I hook the water up.