HELP...with a water leak.

[montanafos]

I am struggling to fix a water leak that I've discovered when reassembling our camper project...post water leak.

The leak occurs when I pull the anode on the water heater to drain it. A quick peek inside the camper with the panel pulled shows a pool of water. A bit of trial and error has shown that the seal of face plate to heater housing is intact and not leaking (my first thought so I added silicone and it still leaked). To double check that I installed the anode and ran water at a medium flow in to the pan to mimic the emptying of the heater and no internal leak. Next step was to increase the flow a touch as the water gushes a bit when emptying the heater and will actually "back up" a bit on the shelf (see picture) and will make it up to the sectioned washer / fastener around the anode fitting (see pic). When I did this and water was allowed to cover the bottom hole of that partitioned washer I had water inside the camper on the shelf that supports the water heater. Any thoughts??? Heater works fine and holds pressure with no leaks. When I drain it I have the water.

Thanks in advance...

Location of water when it collects


Heater


Exterior shot of heater


The washer / fastener around the anode / drain assembly is where the "holes" are in the washer - they are allowing water in to the camper.


Closer shot of the anode / drain assembly showing the "holes" in the surrounding fastener. The water is entering the camper through those holes. Primarily the bottom hole or so. I'm wondering if a high temp RTV silicone would solve the problem?


Heater exterior panel to interior panel seam. Will resilicone it as I removed the old.

[Old-Biscuit]

montanafos wrote:
I chose to do both...socket snugged it up a bit and high temp RTV sealed it off. Have it fully pressurized. Will let the RTV cure overnight and will empty the water heater tomorrow. Fingers crossed. Thank you again.

UPDATE - Worked like a charm...no water.

Good news.......
Thanks for the update!

[montanafos]

I chose to do both...socket snugged it up a bit and high temp RTV sealed it off. Have it fully pressurized. Will let the RTV cure overnight and will empty the water heater tomorrow. Fingers crossed. Thank you again.

UPDATE - Worked like a charm...no water.

[montanafos]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Place a socket OVER the drain hole....just large enough to clear plug then tap it with a hammer 'seating' pan tight around drain plug

Still leaks........
High temp RTV to seal it up

Exactly the advice I'm looking for. Thank you.

[Old-Biscuit]

Place a socket OVER the drain hole....just large enough to clear plug then tap it with a hammer 'seating' pan tight around drain plug

Still leaks........
High temp RTV to seal it up