Attwood water heater drain plugged

[dfeyre]

I have a recently purchased motorhome that I can't drain the hot water heater. I took the plug out and there is an anode in the hole that has broken off the plug. I got a hold of the centre wire with visegrips and pulled to no avail. Looks like lots of calcium around the anode that is stuck in the drain. Probably hasn't been out for a long time. Any one have any ideas?

[dfeyre]

This is the 2003 Monaco w/ 10 gal heater. The anode was put in before I bought the motorhome and it looks like the previous owner had this problem (among other things) and traded it off. I guess the dealer never tried to drain the heater either before they sold it to me. With previous RV's I usually drain the water heater quite often, especially after I return from AZ or any other area that has water of poor quality.

[Old-Biscuit]

IF this is in your 2003 model and is indeed an Atwood water heater it does NOT need an anode.

Just because items are available in the aftermarket doesn't always mean they are needed or good ideas!

The small drain hole (1/2" for Atwood) and an aluminum rod (collects deposits) make it difficult under good conditions to remove.

Now that you have it out..........give the inside of tank a good cleaning using a vinegar soak
Pour 4 gallons of white vinegar into tank via PRV
Turn water heater ON
Let it cycle thru 4 heating cycles
Then drain rinse flush repeatedly to get rid of the accumulated stuff on tank interior and electric element if so equipped.

[gotsmart]

dfeyre wrote:
Thanks for all of the tips on how to repair this. I managed to drill it out, started with a small bit and driilled most of the center wire, then went bigger and bigger till there was only a small amount left. Was able to pull it out Borrowed a 1/2" NPT tap from the plumber and fixed the threads. Tank had not been cleaned for a long time, flushed about 5 lb of******out of it.

Like wa8yxm said above, contact Atwood about your water heater to see if yours actually requires an anode rod. Hopefully you can be standing at the water heater when you call them. 'Always helps. If you don't need the anode rod then buy a bag of nylon plugs for the cleanout (generally you don't reuse the nylon plugs. they get stripped easily. when you remove one, replace it with a new one)

[Clay_L]

Note that although there are after market anode rods for Atwood heaters, Atwood says they are unnecessary and should not be used.

[enblethen]

Thanks for the update!

[dfeyre]

Thanks for all of the tips on how to repair this. I managed to drill it out, started with a small bit and driilled most of the center wire, then went bigger and bigger till there was only a small amount left. Was able to pull it out Borrowed a 1/2" NPT tap from the plumber and fixed the threads. Tank had not been cleaned for a long time, flushed about 5 lb of******out of it.

[dfeyre]

It is an anode rod and not a hot rod. It has the steel wire in the centre like all the aftermarket ones you see for sale at RV parts stores for Attwood water heaters. I have been squirting CLR around it and pulling on the steel wire with visegrips. It is in there so tight that the water doesn't even leak out. If the wire pulls out or breaks then I may try and drill.

[enblethen]

Some anodes use a steel wire to support the anode material.
Atwoods with an aluminum tank do not use anodes.
You maybe able to disolve some of the material to get to drain with CLR or maybe some Lemi-shine diswasher cleaner.
Remove pressure releif valve and pour in there.
You may even be able to drill a hole in the end of anode, then use an easy out to get it out. Don't put too much pressure on drill or it will fall inside the tank.

[wa8yxm]

Attwood did make a model that had an anode.. And Surburan, I'm told makes one that does not, But as noted they are rare birds.

If the plug came out completly, I'd try pushing it INTO the water heater, then CLR or Viniger and pull it out.. I do agree it sounds like a Hott Rod

[skipnchar]

Attwood heater using an anode rod? Pretty rare at least as most Attwood units do not require an anode so someone may have butchered the job of installing one. With an aluminum tank and a nylon plug there is no reason to have an anode.

[wrvond]

Never heard of an anode with a wire in it. Anodes are designed to deteriorate, instead of more important metal parts. You might have a hotrod or similar installed. In any event, I'd spray it with penetrating oil then use a reverse thread drill bit and drill to drill a hole. With luck, it'll come on out, if not, get after it with an EZ Out.
Worst case, drill it out until the metal of the rod is thin enough to collapse and pick out of the threaded hole. Chase the drain threads and insert a new plug/anode.

[dfeyre]

I tried some CLR and left it for awhile but no luck.

[cpmath]

Drill it out carefully so you don't bugger the threads.

[blangen]

Shoot some vinegar in the hole to see if it will loosen the deposits? Just a thought.