Anode rod is seized

I ended using a 2' long breaker bar,after dumping a good amount of penetrating oil on it,then letting it set a day.
Now for the bad news...the threaded part broke loose,but, left the anode behind,frozen in place! I figured that the tank was done in. When a new tank arrived,I decided
what the H.! It can't get worse.so I used a punch and hammer and drove what was left of the annode into the tank,thinking that maybe I could install a new annode (leaving the old one in the tank),and send the new tank back.
However,lucky me,I was able to fish the old broken anode out! Installed the new anode,sent the replacement tank back and saved $$$$
Talked to an RV service guy,he told me that he had never seen an anode break like that in many years of fixing broken RVs.

aruba5er wrote:
Took my anode out in 2007 because it was causing water to stink. ( we were in Florida at the time). I installed a 3/4 " ball valve in it's place so I can drain it easily. 6 years and no tank troubles yet. Think about this. In your stick and brick home, after a while the anode is used up. Did you replace it? I think NOT. forgot all about it, if you even knew it was there. Same think differant size tank.

About 30 years ago I installed a new water heater in our stick and brick home, and removed the anode rod while installing the new water heater. That water heater is still working just fine and no leaks.

Dusty

what I was thinking. Egg Rot is usually caused by not draining the heater. I know about that. wow what a smell. But I have heard of anodes causing it also.

Took my anode out in 2007 because it was causing water to stink. ( we were in Florida at the time). I installed a 3/4 " ball valve in it's place so I can drain it easily. 6 years and no tank troubles yet. Think about this. In your stick and brick home, after a while the anode is used up. Did you replace it? I think NOT. forgot all about it, if you even knew it was there. Same think differant size tank.

If the damage has been done what ie there to loose. Probably gonna have to replace the heater any way. I can almost bet it's the orig in a 9 yr old trailer. I'm going by the rest of the unit. Has not had a lot of tlc. Not beat up but there are things that are just not right.

Don't want a new one but may upgrade.

Another thought is when you do get the anode rod out, put a very light coating of vaseline on the threads. That and teflon tape and we have never had a problem getting the rod out.

The OP never did say what brand of water heater it is so if it is an Attwood it never should have had an anode. So leaving it out won't hurt a thing. Now, if it is a Suburban and has been in there for so long the damage may have already been done. JMO

64thunderbolt wrote:
Gonna plug it if I get the rod out. This trailer was not maintained very well by prior owner/owners. Sad, it's not that tough to just take care of things. Some people !!!

It will continue to not be maintained very well if you do not put a proper anode rod back.

Bad idea to do away with the rod.

What do you mean by you are going to plug it? Are you going to do away with the anode rod?