Trying to remove ATWOOD GCH10A-3E with engine coolant tubes

Question

I am trying to replace the electric heating element on my Atwood water heater model GCH10A-3E (has the engine heat exchanger feature known as 'motor aid').  There is little accessibility to the rear of the unit. I can barely disconnect the incoming and outgoing water lines, but I cannot reach the 2 engine coolant lines that connect to this water heater. Therefore I cannot slide the unit out to access the rear heating element.  I'm stumped on how to remove the unit.  The black engine coolant hoses are not long enough to slide the unit out, and I cannot reach the disconnect points where the screw clamps are holding on these hoses.  Has anyone experienced this problem?

old-biscuit · Answer

Have you removed outside door/frame and slid unit out enough to improve rear access.
Hoses should be long enough to allow some movement.

What motorhome is this installed in?

Is there access from the underside?

kmb1966 · Answer

Able to scoot the unit out some, but hoses too short!No underneath access2001 itasca suncruiser

kmb1966 · Answer

I suppose I am going to have to CUT THE HOSES and then somehow splice them back together with some additional hose to make them longer upon reinstallation

dons2346 · Answer

kmb1966 wrote:I suppose I am going to have to CUT THE HOSES and then somehow splice them back together with some additional hose to make them longer upon reinstallationThis is what I would do if nothing else works

afchap · Answer

My hoses can be reached from under the coach just behind the WH ...I clamped them with vise grip pliers to minimize coolant loss before taking them loose.

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Trying to remove ATWOOD GCH10A-3E with engine coolant tubes

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