Repairing leak inlet valve water heater

[Caledon]

So I had a leak which I eventually tracked down to the water heater inlet connector.

For the sake of clarity I mean that there is the inlet pipe, and it connects to a plastic screw in connector (which looks like a drain plug with a hole in it)

At the point where the plastic connector meets the tank water was leaking out. By the time I had unscrewed the inlet water (having drained and shut off the water first of course) the connector had started to "yawn"/come away.

Assuming, it would appear now incorrectly, that this must screw into the tank I "unscrewed" it with a pair of pliers. Only it does not "screw" it would appear that there is still half of the plastic connector inside the tank - I also now see what I assume is Putty (or maybe concrete/similar) around the edge which has snapped off. This is presumably also holding the plastic piece inside (as it won't simply pull out.

Forum posts/videos all seem to deal with the other side of the water heater. Can someone tell me if this is a standard way to attach inlet water to the tank? And if so how screwed am I now?

[Caledon]

Hi

Yup fixed it. Only slightly painful - $50 worth of bits and $30 worth of tools and about four hours trying to work through it. It's a 6 Gallon atwood for anyone who has the same problem.
Had to heat up the putty that had become rock hard and then managed to drill out. But it came very very close to having to take the whole thing apart.
Found it very very hard to find info on line about doing this as soon as you say Atwood heater its all about the other side - not the plumbing.

Anyway - fixed now.

[enblethen]

That is either a short plastic nipple or one of those super cheaper check valves. Look at piece that you have out for small rubber O-ring looking item inside. That would be a check valve. Replace with a brass one.
Whit stuff is most likely pipe dope. Dries up!
You should be able to use an e-z out. I have a sprinkler head e-z out for removing the broken adapters.

[BarneyS]

Moved to Tech Issues forum from DIY.

[westend]

Model of water heater please?

I don't think you're totally fubared. The inlet was assembled to the tank, somehow, and I would guess that it's threaded into the tank with a liberal dose of sealant. There have been methods discussed to get the remains out of the opening. Share which type of tank (aluminum, steel) you have and methods will be forthcoming.