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Ladies, i have a problem with my water heater. i am now south enough that i thought I would hook up the water and whenI did it poured out of the water heater - outside the rig and inside, under the sink. Called a friend from home and his take on it was that I didn 't drain the heater when I winterized and now I've ruined it. So the question is - can it be repaired or is it even worth doing so? My rig is a 2000 model and I'm sure the heater is original. I also have had to replace one part twice already. Do I have to replace it with the same kind/size? It is only 6 gallons and runs on propane. Pros and cons of other types? And the worst possible question - any ideas on how much this will rack me? I'm heading to Port A and Beth trusted a particular tech or company there so I'm going to wait and do it there instead of trying to figure out who else I can trust. Plus I won't be parked at some dealer or service center waiting on parts or whatever - I'll be at the beach.

I just recently took my little trailer in to have it looked over for potential leaky areas and have those areas fixed. I was watching the tech so I could do it in the future. I, myself, had already 'winterized' it. He and I got to talking about the water heater and he asked me if I had opened the plug (with that rod thing, whose name escaped me right now). I said no, that i had just pressed that pressure thing above. Well, he went and pulled the plug/rod and 6 gallons of water gushed out.

He said I was lucky - that would have been a $400 - $600 mistake. It's the 6 gallon version, too.

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yep,... I agree with Mitch,...then button only releases the pressure,... then opening and draining gets the water out. I sure wish you well on this, Kellie. Keep us posted!

Sounds like the plug is out of the water heater which happens when the rig is winterized. The same thing happened to me when my first winter was over and I went to use the rig. The dealer didn't tell me they take it out when they winterize it so I didn't know I needed to replace it. My water heater is difficult to reach so it was a real pain. Hopefully I won't be in a place where I have to winterize again. Hope that helps. Men are drama queens sometimes.

Kellie, my personal take is that I would probably replace the water heater because of the age. There is a pressure release valve that should have been opened when you winterized, that lets all the water out of the heater. If you're able to stop in Kerrville Texas I have a great technician who doesn't charge an arm and a leg and will come to the Rv park (I stay at Guadalupe RV river resort). There is also an anode rod that needs replacing periodically in a hot water heater. Not sure you can go bigger or not.

Did you do the winterize or did a dealer? If the plug was out water would pour outside but wouldn't think it would pour inside. You can see the plug or the anode rod if you look in the outside door.

If you have to replace it I recommend one that works on both gas and electric. When you have full hookup might as well save gas.

Martha

I remember discussion a couple years ago (I think) about water heaters and I kept the link for info purposes...
http://www.rverscorner.com/rvwaterheater2.html Hope this sheds some light. The rod is known as an anode. I need to dig out my manuals and see if I'm neglecting my water heater. hmmmmmmm

Finally got the tech guy here and the water heater does need to be replaced but I bought a maint contract when I bought the rig and it should be covered. They have to call the company and get it approved and then they can order the new one. He did fix it so that I now have running water inside the rig. No more jugs! I can live with that.

That's good new, Kellie! Hope the replacement goes without a hitch!

I agree with Sunshine ... and I hope you aren't being taken by the repair guy. I had a similar gush of water a couple of seasons ago. There is a (usually plastic) plug that is removed (unscrewed by hand) to drain the water heater. They usually leave it out, sitting inside the door compartment. That may be all it is.

But hey, if your maintenance contract will replace the whole unit ... it's all good.

Yes, they do. 4.23 gal per min. Will run about $400.

AlmostThere wrote:Yes, they do. 4.23 gal per min. Will run about $400.

Yes, but they only run on electricity ... couldn't use propane for THIS.

They run on propane, too.

http://www.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=2899053

http://www.houseneeds.com/shop/heatingp ... inpage.htm

Service company called yesterday - insurance WILL pay for new one. BTW the tank is cracked so it dose need to be replaced. I have to pay $35 for the service call and $100 deductible and that's all. WHOO HOO1 This just aout pays the entire cost of the maint contract.