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ksbowman's avatar
ksbowman
Explorer II
Dec 04, 2015

Leaking Atwood gc6aa-10e water heater

Last winter when we were in Florida I decide to put in a dedicated outlet for an electric heater. While I had the access panel off I noticed some water on the vinyl flooring under my water heater. I watched it every day and checked all the piping connections and never found them leaking. I would put two paper towels under it (water heater) and each morning they would be wet by the next morning. I chose just to change paper towels each morning and wait till I got home to find out where the leak was coming from. After pulling the water heater this summer I found the nipple that the heating element screws into had a very small seep where the weld on the nipple to the tank started and stopped. Evidently the slag where the weld over lapped wasn't cleaned properly. A simple air test on the tank and a little soapy water revealed it. I don't have a TIG welder to weld aluminum but, a friend of mine does and for a case of beer he welded it up. This saved $400-600 for the price of a new water heater.
  • ksbowman's avatar
    ksbowman
    Explorer II
    Dec 04, 2015
    You are correct Old-Biscuit. While I had it out I thru in a new heating element and am saving the old one in case I need it. I'm lucky as Coplay RV salvage is only a couple hours away in Mo. and they have a great supply of new and used parts. It's the largest RV salvage around.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Dec 04, 2015
    I have had my water heater pressure relief valve on the outside leak at times. When this happens I just operate the spring loaded switch a couple of times and it usually quits dripping...

    Roy Ken
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Dec 04, 2015
    Fortunately you have an Atwood WH with aluminum tank and where leak was you didn't have to completely disassemble the WH just pull it.
    New tank alone would run you $200

    IF it had been a Suburban.......
    No welding repairs (glass-lined tank)
    No replacement tanks
    Have to buy complete WH (salvage yards are alternative)

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