Pinhole leak in the inlet tube of an Atwood Water Heater

Ok - I put on some JB weld and then also put a fiberglass patch on it that is meant for radiator repair. In a couple of house I'll try it and see how it goes.

Pull the heater and have it properly repaired, you will thank yourself later.

If it is on a nipple on the tank.......it is aluminum
JB Marine Weld (2 part epoxy) or replace the nipple

On the valve or PEX line......replace

Old-Biscuit wrote:
First a little clarification....
Title states 'inlet tube' but you say 'inlet valve' in body of post and talk about coolant.

So I assume you have an Atwood WH with motor assist heating with tubing from engine to WH with hot coolant running thru it and you have a pin hole leak in that tubing.

Atwood tank is aluminum and the motor assist tubing at WH is factory installed and welded into tank. So I would assume tubing from engine is also aluminum tubing.

Clean up area around pinhole leak, rough it up with course sandpaper and use JB Marine Weld

The pinhole leak is on the water water tank where there is a pex hose - so I don't believe it is the coolant hose for the engine heat exchanger.

The confusion was that it does seem like a huge coincidence to me that I bring the rv in for a coolant flush and I get a leak in the hot water tank.

First a little clarification....
Title states 'inlet tube' but you say 'inlet valve' in body of post and talk about coolant.

So I assume you have an Atwood WH with motor assist heating with tubing from engine to WH with hot coolant running thru it and you have a pin hole leak in that tubing.

Atwood tank is aluminum and the motor assist tubing at WH is factory installed and welded into tank. So I would assume tubing from engine is also aluminum tubing.

Clean up area around pinhole leak, rough it up with course sandpaper and use JB Marine Weld

you might get away with screwing in a self tap small screw as well...

Roy Ken

bgum wrote:
JB weld may fix.

I'm assuming then based on this reply that it's aluminum then - given you need a special welder to weld aluminum?

JB weld may fix.

For a pinhole leak, add one tube of Alumaseal. I've used this product for 35 years and it has been a real labor saver. Follow the directions and it should work well for you.