Forum Discussion

rbpru's avatar
rbpru
Explorer II
Mar 02, 2014

Funky tasting hot water

We purchased a gently use 2010 Dutchmen Lite trailer. It is remarkably clean. At the dealer check out all systems were explained to us, then it was re-winterized and we took it home.

Heading south we were able to flush the anti-freeze and use the water system. After we flushed the water system we installed the water heater plug and put the water heater back in line. Since the water heater was emptied and bypassed I do not think it had any anti-freeze in.

However after a couple of days the water heater water tasted terrible, it has a strong metallic taste. I drained it and filled it a second time but again it still has that very unpleasant taste. The heater works fine and provides very hot water for dishes etc. but you sure do not want to drink it.

We are using the campground water supplies as we travel and have no issues with cold water, we have not touched the 15 gals in our fresh water tanks as all the RV parks so far have had full hookups.

I was wondering if a bad anode rod would cause this problem or some other ailment common to 6 gallon RV water heaters.

I would apprecieted any suggestions.
  • Bill___Kate's avatar
    Bill___Kate
    Explorer
    Mar 02, 2014
    As stated above, a bad anode, or the wrong type of anode for the type of water you have - they come in magnesium, zinc, and other alloys - but can also be cause by a defective electric heating element. I would pull the anode and the element to clean and inspect them, then, as Camper19709 said, flush all the gunk ....
  • camper19709's avatar
    camper19709
    Explorer
    Mar 02, 2014
    You may just need to clean out the hot water tank. Over time crud builds up at the bottom of the tank. Shut off your water pump. Remove the anode rod to empty the tank. Then spray water into the anode rod hole. You will probably get lots of crud flushing out(on to your feet)(lol). Keep flushing until the water return is clear. There is a long small tool that screws onto your water hose that you can buy. It is about the size and length of a pencil. You can stick it into the tank to help flush out the crud.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Mar 02, 2014
    You should not drink water from any WH that has an anode in it - ever. If you have a Suburban WH then it has an anode and the stuff that comes off it is very bad for us.
    This is true of your home WH too.

    Often the bad taste or smell of rotten eggs is a result of a fungus growing inside that's made worse by the anode. You'll have to sanitize and clean the heater to get rid of it.
    Don't drink the water though ;)

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