Anode Rod Rusted Tight

[craigandsue]

I have not used my truck camper in a year so I sanitized the water tank. I tried to then drain the water heater and the anode rod is rusted tight and will not break loose. I tried WD-40 and liquid wrench. Worried I am going to strip the head or break it. Any ideas?

[Old-Biscuit]

I love some of the suggestions......
pound on it, torch it, heat/chill it

Don't worry......the porcelain lining won't crack

Penetrating oil. Spray it/let it soak
Then tighten a bit to break bond then remove back/forth

[Dick_B]

X2 on the impact wrench.

[RJsfishin]

I did mine a few months ago, I had about give up too, then bigger wrench, and it came out, both the drain/rod, and the pressure relief valve. Tefalon taped them back in.

[Wadcutter]

As others have said use something like Liquid Wrench. Not WD-40, it's not a penetrating oil. A buddy bought a used camper and couldn't get the anode tube out. I sprayed it with Liquid Wrench a couple of times a day for about 3 days in a row. I filled the tank with water and turned on the heater to heat the tank and tube. Then while the water tank was still hot I sprayed the anode tube nut with computer cleaner compressed air. The compressed air in the can comes out cold which causes a temperature difference between the tank and the anode tube threads. One expanding, one contracting. Then as others have said using a breaker bar about 18" long I tightened the anode tube just a bit. It came out after that.

[Bumpyroad]

heat up the water heater and hopefully the tank will expand slightly? Or maybe the anode rod will swell and then return to original size and break the bond?
perhaps a torch to rod to expand, then let it contract?
bumpy

[GordonThree]

Take a propane torch to it... heat it up till it starts to smoke, then heat it some more. Use an asbestos pad (or whatever the modern equivalent is) to protect the nearby plastic / rubber parts as needed.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

"Motto Of The Manufacturer"

Never-seize ninety-eight dollars a year? (!) Screwum lettum buy a new one!

[MFL]

2oldman wrote:
You're gonna need a bigger wrench.

Yes, you may need a bigger wrench, but first soak it in liquid wrench, or penetrating oil over night.

After a good soaking, I would try both directions, tighten a little, loosen a little. If you get it out, be sure to use teflon tape, on the one you put back in. It makes a good seal, and makes removal much easier next time.

I use a wire brush in my drill, to clean up the threads on the tank.

Good luck,
Jerry

[GMandJM]

1) PBBlaster
2) Sometimes turning it the opposite way (tighter) will start to break the corrosion
3) Are you using a breaker bar and socket for leverage?

No guarantee you won't mess up your threads.

Like FJ said, use something on the threads of the new rod. Teflon tape is another option.

[fj12ryder]

Use an impact wrench, if that won't work you may just have to leave it be. If and when you get it out, clean up the threads with a tap and consider using a touch of anti-seize on it when you put the new one in.

[2oldman]

You're gonna need a bigger wrench.