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Fallin22's avatar
Fallin22
Explorer
Nov 13, 2016

Water heater help

I recently bought a 2006 cavalier fema camper that was already set up at my hunting club. When I hooked water up to it I had very little water pressure and when I went out side water was pouring out from the water heater. It was hard to tell exactly where the water was coming from exactly. No water leaked in the camper. My question is is this automatic grounds for getting a new one or can some issues be repaired? It's a suburban sw d10. If I bought one are they fairly easy to install? Best place to buy one? eBay? Thanks!
  • sch911 wrote:
    If it's a Suburban WH it uses an Anode rod not a drain plug.


    Schematics.........

    Anode rod IS the drain plug.
    Cut off anode part and you still have a drain plug. :B
  • If it's a Suburban WH it uses an Anode rod not a drain plug.
  • Like suggested..open access door and LOOK

    Drain plug not installed....install and tighten
    T&P Relief Valve stuck open...flip lever and let it snap closed....do couple times

    Now IF the tank is cracked or it is leaking from around welded components then you have to replace the WHOLE water heater. Suburban does NOY have replacement tanks...

    Can replace with a Suburban of same size---ie: 10 gal (could use a Atwood but would have to completely redo opening as they are different sizes)

    PPL usually has sales that are lower then other sources. And your SW10D is propane only with electronic ignition so it is on the lower price scale vs combo unit---which you could install just have to add 120V AC power source and run wiring

    Right now PPL has SW10DE.......propane/electric for $392
    And a SW10D.......propane DSI for $362

    New complete water heater....except door----use your old one
    PPL LINK
  • Don't forget the pressure relief valve. They don't ordinarily suddenly fail but I had one years ago that did. Worked fine one time out and shortly thereafter on another trip I hooked up and turned on the water and it just poured out.
  • Thanks! Totally didn't even think about the plug hopefully that's it
  • Check that the drain plug is installed in the water heater. Someone may have removed it to drain and left it out.

    Also try to find the exact location. It might not be the water heater, but the pressure relief valve or one of the connections.

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