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Topic: Can't get 10 gallon hot water heater out (Read 774 times) previous topic - next topic

Can't get 10 gallon hot water heater out

I'm stuck. Have a leak at the back of the 24 year old Attwood 10 gal hot water heater. Trying to pull it out, but not having much luck. Removed some trim and screws. No screws visible on left side, no real room to install them either. I have managed to cut through the original black "silicon" sealant with combination of putty knife, heat gun, and a repurposed hacksaw blade. Can only access top, right side, bottom. Left side seems to have also been sealed. I get a little movement on bottom right corner, not much else. Pushing from back doesn't seem to work.  My hot water heater on this 98 U270 is located passenger side, bay in front of rear axle.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Can't get 10 gallon hot water heater out

Reply #1 –
Do you have the porthole access on the right where you can at least see the back side of said water heater ?    If so, you can possibly confirm what and \  or where the leak is first. 
    I'd want to be sure it wasn't leaking at the hot \  cold fittings or the electric heater element.....  before I yanked it out. 
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Can't get 10 gallon hot water heater out

Reply #2 –
No porthole. Waste tank is mounted next to hot water heater on right side, bulkhead on left. No luck with mirrors or camera viewing the original leak. Fresh water tank is behind the hot water heater.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Can't get 10 gallon hot water heater out

Reply #3 –
I have had mine out several times. It sounds like yours. I have screws on all four sides. The propane line is at the bottom left corner and needs to be removed. Might be silicone where the copper line goes through. Remove that so you can move the water heater independent of the propane line. Other than that it should be free to come out. Three places for a leak are cold line in, Hot line out or electric heater element.

Mark
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Mark and Tanya
Milton , Florida
US Navy Veteran (DV)
1999 U270 Special 40' CAI , 2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara

Re: Can't get 10 gallon hot water heater out

Reply #4 –
After much futile effort it appears I will have to cut the rivets that connects the flange to the water heater.  No screws on left side and it appears to be sealed with silicone with no way to cut through it. One long day to figure out what doesn't work.

Found this post: Removing water heater

1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Can't get 10 gallon hot water heater out

Reply #5 –
On my 2002 U295 the water heater was very stuck! the glue around the perimeter was insane! I stuck with it and was able to pry it apart with prybars deforming the flange somewhat but was able to straighten out after. Mine has a shutoff valve for the engine coolant so no coolant loss. Stick with it its stuck like H!! Jim. 
Jim and Dona
2002 U295 36'
Lily, blue healer. Our fury person
Manx mid travel Ecotec turbo
2022 Bronco badlands Sasquatch
Trail 90 and 110cc

Re: Can't get 10 gallon hot water heater out

Reply #6 –
Might try heavy fishing line to cut through silicone?

2000 GV320 4010 build #5712  2019-?
1999 Bounder 2000-2008
Bardstown, KY
🥃The Bourbon Capital of the World🥃

Re: Can't get 10 gallon hot water heater out

Reply #7 –
Got it out! It was literally glued in three different ways: flange to frame, flange to water heater, water heater to frame with liberal amounts of silicone. Flange was pop riveted to water heater and screwed to frame on three sides. No access to left side of flange sealant. Hopefully I didn't damage water heater trying to get it out before finding all the different ways it was glued.

Preliminary diagnosis: cracked cold water fitting at back of water heater. Making up new lines with all new pex fittings. Wish I had time to install SeeLevel. May try to re-route overflow to floor, but time is really limited. Have to pull out on Friday and will be out in the boonies for five weeks.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Can't get 10 gallon hot water heater out

Reply #8 –
Maybe wait until after seelevel to permanently seal it back in
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Can't get 10 gallon hot water heater out

Reply #9 –
That's my thinking at the moment. Get it running, make sure I didn't break it getting it out and in October when back in Texas at friends do the SeeLevel, overflow mods and change out the valve on motor aid. Also found electric heat switch off and good continuity on electrical heating element, so maybe that works.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Can't get 10 gallon hot water heater out

Reply #10 –
I would order a new one and just replace it. Mighty old and when you do get it out, why just fix it. You may have a wait to get a new one. Many back orders
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: Can't get 10 gallon hot water heater out

Reply #11 –
Even without a full See Level installation, if you could just get the sensor strip glued onto that fresh water tank.    Everything else could be done later and you wouldn't have to pull that WH. 
     
      Just sayin.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Can't get 10 gallon hot water heater out

Reply #12 –
Tank re-installed and working. Found the switch off in the back, so now it appears I have electric heat as well. At least we will have hot water this summer, thought it might be late as October before I could get it replaced. Ran new lines to the tank from the Maniblock with all new fittings. Had lots of trouble finding the 90 degree female 1/2" FNPT connections. Four hardware stores and found two, luckily had one on hand. Suggest you stock up on a few fittings as they seem sold out a lot. Thanks for all the help.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Can't get 10 gallon hot water heater out

Reply #13 –
It is possible to install the seelevel without removing the water heater, it just makes it a lot easier when it's out.
1998 U295 36'
Build# 5358

SMILE!....it makes people wonder what you have been doing.

Re: Can't get 10 gallon hot water heater out

Reply #14 –
My tool for cutting away sealant at top of water heater flange. Cut down hacksaw blade, heated and bent into 90 degree angle  and then used heat gun to soften sealant.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Can't get 10 gallon hot water heater out

Reply #15 –
Quote from: Kiwitex –
It is possible to install the seelevel without removing the water heater, it just makes it a lot easier when it's out.

  On ours, it would be very difficult with the water heater in place.  There are water lines running next to the tank and the See Level sensor strip has to go between those lines and the tank. ( SL strip is very sticky one side).

  In fact the See Level rep told us that to avoid interference of the metal collars on the fittings and the SL strip to tape a rubber ( Home Depot ) strip over the sensor strip.      Yet another level of difficulty behind the WH.
    Having said that, one rubber strip fell off and no effect yet to SL readings. 

   
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR
 

Re: Can't get 10 gallon hot water heater out

Reply #16 –
Quote from: Bob & Sue –
  On ours, it would be very difficult with the water heater in place.  There are water lines running next to the tank and the See Level sensor strip has to go between those lines and the tank. ( SL strip is very sticky one side).
  In fact the See Level rep told us that to avoid interference of the metal collars on the fittings and the SL strip to tape a rubber ( Home Depot ) strip over the sensor strip.      Yet another level of difficulty behind the WH.
    Having said that, one rubber strip fell off and no effect yet to SL readings.   
Yes, I think there's a little more room on the 270 & 295 to get around and under the water heater to the tanks.
It's not fun or easy, but it's easier than removing the water heater!  ;) (Everything is relative)
It took me several hours, but I got it done.
1998 U295 36'
Build# 5358

SMILE!....it makes people wonder what you have been doing.