Water heater plug
Hey all- I have a typical 6 gallon water heater in the TT. The OEM plug broke a couple years ago, and I haven't been able to get any plug to fit well since. I'v ebeen able to cross thread the pla...
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If the original plug was plastic (nylon) then you have an Atwood heater and it can only use the nylon plug. Yes some fool designed that water heated with a pipe right in the way of getting at the plug and they probably laugh themselves to sleep every night picturing us cursing at them as we try to thread the plug in. :R
The plugs do not screw in very tight and they do not have to be very tight. Here's what I do with my plug.
Hand start a new plug with you fingers bent at an uncomfortable angle while you silently mutter curses under your breath at the designer.
Get a 7/8 socket and a 6 inch extension. Slide the socket up behind the pipe and start it on the plug. Then bring the extension up from under the pipe and snap it into the socket. The socket might not be square on the plug, but it really doesn't have to be.
Now using just your fingers (no ratchet wrench)screw the plug in until it starts to get tight. It should not be bottomed out in the hole at this point and again it doesn't need to be.
Now use a ratchet wrench and give the plug an additional 1/8 to 1/4 turn. Fill the tank with water and turn on the heater. If the plug seeps then tighten it a tiny bit more, it doesn't take much to seal it.
Remember this isn't an engine or a wheel that needs a super tight bolt or it will fall off. Just snug the plug down by finger and give it a tiny bit more with a wrench and it will be fine. In fact I've read of people on this board that just leave the bolt finger tight and never have a problem with it.
The plugs do not screw in very tight and they do not have to be very tight. Here's what I do with my plug.
Hand start a new plug with you fingers bent at an uncomfortable angle while you silently mutter curses under your breath at the designer.
Get a 7/8 socket and a 6 inch extension. Slide the socket up behind the pipe and start it on the plug. Then bring the extension up from under the pipe and snap it into the socket. The socket might not be square on the plug, but it really doesn't have to be.
Now using just your fingers (no ratchet wrench)screw the plug in until it starts to get tight. It should not be bottomed out in the hole at this point and again it doesn't need to be.
Now use a ratchet wrench and give the plug an additional 1/8 to 1/4 turn. Fill the tank with water and turn on the heater. If the plug seeps then tighten it a tiny bit more, it doesn't take much to seal it.
Remember this isn't an engine or a wheel that needs a super tight bolt or it will fall off. Just snug the plug down by finger and give it a tiny bit more with a wrench and it will be fine. In fact I've read of people on this board that just leave the bolt finger tight and never have a problem with it.
