Anyone have trouble keeping to hot water out fitting at the tank tight? Seams like the heating and cooling cycles loosen it causing a small leak. Reaching through the hole in the bay wall and tightening with one hand no more leak for a while. It is standard pex fitting, can the seal in the fitting be changed? I don't know if I could change the fitting without pulling the water heater.
Bruce,
The insert in the PEX fitting CAN be easily replaced/changed. It will most likely stop your leaking issue.
That's the easy part. Now the hard part is that I have never been able to find
just the replaceable insert/washer in a box store, hardware or on the internet. I don't know why that is -- maybe because they just want to market the complete female PEX "wing nut" assembly. A couple of times I have just stripped the insert out of an new "Wing Nut" fitting. Then I discovered that most plumbing supply stores/outlets will give away the inserts that fall out of their bulk fitting supplies and end up in the bottom of their bins. No pricing info, so they just give them away as a good will gesture. I have accumulated a lifetime supply of the inserts/"coned washers" that way.
HTH,
Neal
Here is what you want, but price has JUMPED. When I bought a bunch of them 2 years ago they were 35cents each Flair-It F06435 Saniprene Swivel Seal, 1/2" (http://www.rvupgradestore.com/Saniprene-Swivel-Seal-p/88-9292.htm)
You can also get them at an RV store. I just replaced all of mine.
jor