Forum Discussion

Notakwanon's avatar
Notakwanon
Explorer
Nov 09, 2017

water heater plastic plug removal

With the weather forecasters saying the temperature here in MD will drop to 19 tomorrow night, today I decided it was time to drain water from the Outfitter Apex camper. I grabbed the head of the plastic plug at the bottom of the water heater with a channel lock, as I have before, tried to turn a little, and the head of the plug snapped off. Well, that solved the problem of water removal, but now I've got plastic threads that somehow have to be removed. The space to get in there is very tight. Is there a better method for tackling this repair than to remove the burner unit, just to get at the drain plug?
Tom McCloud
Truck Campers
  • ksg5000's avatar
    ksg5000
    Explorer
    Nov 09, 2017
    I tried all the above with no success - ended up using a small propane torch which melted the residual plastic and I used a small pic to remove any small pieces on the threads. Last resort - but it works.
  • bb_94401's avatar
    bb_94401
    Explorer
    Nov 09, 2017
    Broke my plastic plug the first time I drained the hot water tank. Used drill and a screw extractor to remove it. Like the idea of the hot flathead screw driver.

    Then I bought several plastic plugs and did the change out every couple years. Still had to worrying each time whether it would break while removing it using a socket on a universal joint and rachet.

    Now I just put telfon tape on the plastic plug and tightened it enough to seal and not leak. I've reused this plastic plug for the past 6 years with no issues, as it comes out with very little torque.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Nov 09, 2017
    Someone else on here did it by heating a large flat screw driver with a torch and then jamming it into the plug. Was easy to turn after that.
  • d3500ram's avatar
    d3500ram
    Explorer III
    Nov 09, 2017
    reverse thread extractor, as mentioned, or...

    -Dremel tool, or...

    -Keyhole saw and gently saw a side to relive and then use a screwdriver to thread it out, or...

    -flat head punch and gently tap in the correct direction ('prolly would not use a chisel.)
  • happycamper1942's avatar
    happycamper1942
    Explorer
    Nov 09, 2017
    If you can get at it I would drill several holes through it until you can break it up with a screwdriver or something so you can remove it. You may also be able to drill a couple of holes side by side then used a wide blade screwdriver to turn it out.
    Good luck.
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Nov 09, 2017
    which water heater do you have? if it isn't the one with the copper tubing in front of that plug, you might be able to drill it out and if you use a reverse drill bit it might loosen it somewhat.
    bumpy
  • pulsar's avatar
    pulsar
    Explorer
    Nov 09, 2017
    I carry a large (# 5, I think) straight-flute screw extractor, that does the job very quickly without damaging the threads.



    Can purchase at Sears, Home Depot, Lowes, etc.

    In the future, you should either use a brass plug, or every two or three years put in a new plastic one.

    Tom

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