Forum Discussion

LoveTwoCamp's avatar
LoveTwoCamp
Explorer
Jul 07, 2014

Bad odor in hot water tank: FIx or Replace?

Last camping trip we had a bad smell in our hot water only; the regular water coming through the cold water taps were o.k..

Drained the hot water tank today, and got the bad smell, plus some fine, black sludge.

This is an Atwood HWH made in 1998, installed in 2000. It is a 10 gallon with electric and gas heating. This heater does not include an anode.

The heater controls still work. Can I, or should I, try to replace the tank and electric heater element myself?

The first quote for a complete heater came in at $799.

Not sure what parts alone would cost.

Has anyone tried to repair their water heater?

Notes: The electric heater still works. The black "sludge" dried grey, so I think it is tank residue. Based on answers so far, I will clean the tank multiple times before I try any repairs. I am still interested if anyone has replaced the tank only instead of the entire heater.
  • beemerphile1's avatar
    beemerphile1
    Explorer
    Jul 08, 2014
    When was the last time you sanitized the water system? That would be the place to start if it has been more than a few months.
  • Campfire_Time's avatar
    Campfire_Time
    Explorer
    Jul 08, 2014
    gcloss wrote:
    DesertHawk wrote:
    We had that problem in 2012. We drained the tank, added a goodly amount of bleach; let it set maybe 30 or 45 minutes. Drained it again. Filled again. Drained. Filled it up again. All well after that.

    We'd used it camping, then didn't drain the tank for a few weeks in very hot summer tempts. Let it stagnate & grow black yuk.

    X2


    X3
  • fla-gypsy's avatar
    fla-gypsy
    Explorer
    Jul 08, 2014
    If you will just drain the tank and refill it will most likely correct the problem. This is very common.
  • DiskDoctr's avatar
    DiskDoctr
    Explorer
    Jul 08, 2014
    Old-Biscuit wrote:


    Atwood WH tank IS aluminum......doesn't need/require an anode rod (even though aftermarket sells them :S)


    Ahem....oops! :o

    Thanks for the correction, I didn't catch that part ;)
  • gcloss's avatar
    gcloss
    Explorer
    Jul 08, 2014
    DesertHawk wrote:
    We had that problem in 2012. We drained the tank, added a goodly amount of bleach; let it set maybe 30 or 45 minutes. Drained it again. Filled again. Drained. Filled it up again. All well after that.

    We'd used it camping, then didn't drain the tank for a few weeks in very hot summer tempts. Let it stagnate & grow black yuk.

    X2
  • DesertHawk's avatar
    DesertHawk
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2014
    We had that problem in 2012. We drained the tank, added a goodly amount of bleach; let it set maybe 30 or 45 minutes. Drained it again. Filled again. Drained. Filled it up again. All well after that.

    We'd used it camping, then didn't drain the tank for a few weeks in very hot summer tempts. Let it stagnate & grow black yuk.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jul 07, 2014
    DiskDoctr wrote:
    Hmmm...black sludge can be manganese, which can absolutely make the water smell bad.

    Can you replace drain plug with ALUMINUM anode? Aluminum will not react the same way with that water.

    How does your electric heating element look? Maybe replace it, too, both AFTER cleaning the tank.


    Atwood WH tank IS aluminum......doesn't need/require an anode rod (even though aftermarket sells them :S)

    Tank just needs a good, thorough cleaning

    OP

    If the element is a bolt on type part number is 91580
    If element is screw in type part number is 92249
    Both are 1400W
  • DiskDoctr's avatar
    DiskDoctr
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2014
    Hmmm...black sludge can be manganese, which can absolutely make the water smell bad.

    Can you replace drain plug with ALUMINUM anode? Aluminum will not react the same way with that water.

    How does your electric heating element look? Maybe replace it, too, both AFTER cleaning the tank.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jul 07, 2014
    IF flushing/rinsing doesn't get rid of smell.........vinegar soak

    Remove Pressure relief valve
    Pour in 6 gallons of white vinegar
    Reinstall PRV
    Finish filling water heater
    Then do 4 complete heating cycles.......heat let cool, repeat.
    then drain and flush tank.

    Above is straight from Atwood Service Manual

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