Water heater odor

Dusty R wrote:
I would bet that it's the anode rod in the water heater that is causing the smell, try changing it, or just removing it.

Dusty

x2 for the anode rod being the source.

replace it, or clean the one you have by tossing it in the camp fire coals for 5-10 minutes, or in the oven at its highest temp for half an hour. then rinse it off and stick it back in the water heater.

I would bet that it's the anode rod in the water heater that is causing the smell, try changing it, or just removing it.

Dusty

I bought a second "black tank rinser" that I shortened the 90 degree bend a little so I could get it through the drain plug hole. Can thoroughly rinse the inside of the tank with it. I always get some funky looking stuff out when I do that.

it's not the water heater that smells it's the water. what kind of water are ou using, city water or private well water. treated city water will not smell but some private wells with lots of sulfur in the water will make the water once it heats up smell like rotten eggs

It gets spunky every now and then. I just drain my hot water heater making sure to get what it is on the bottom by rocking the RV and/or turkey baster. Fill it up and drain it again. Done.

I do run bleach thru all the water lines at least once a year. This seems to eliminate the hot water tank smells from happening. Just leave the plug out of the hot water heater when you flush out all the lines.

Just be sure the hot water heater is OFF when you do this.

I will use the suggestions here. Thanks to everyone who responded or will respond.

Atwood has a vinegar soak procedure in the manuals.

Drain water heater...reinstall drain plug
Remove T&P Relief Valve
Use funnel to pour vinegar into WH Tank (ratio is 4:2 6 gal so 6.5 gal vinegar/3.5 gal water for 10 gal)
Reinstall T&P Relief Valve
With WH Tank full of vinegar/water solution turn it on and let it go thru 4-5 heat/cool cycles (undisturbed) (over night)
Then drain and rinse/flush

I am only experienced with Atwood water heater and I would use bleach .. but when in doubt use one and then the other ... they are both inexpensive so your haven't much too loose. If you have suburban water heater then you might also consider replacing the anode.

I wouldn’t use vinegar. Bleach works but is tricky to rinse out. I would recommend hydrogen peroxide. It will kill the bacteria responsible for the odor and is easily flushed out. Buy a pint from the drugstore or supermarket, pull the plug to drain the water heater, hook the hose to city water, and fill the hose with the peroxide. Hook up to trailer, turn the water on and refill the water heater. Let it sit for a few hours, then drain and refill. Problem gone.

My wife uses vinegar in the house for disinfecting but I've not heard of it being used for disinfecting an RV water system (typically bleach is mentioned). That said I'm not sure if there would be any negative consequences with using vinegar in an RV water system (hot water tank, water pump, etc.).