Stripped Anode Rod
Hey, y'all. Alright... I'm in a pickle... Long story made relatively short, my element went out in my Suburban sw6de water heater. No big deal. I figured I'd drain the tank via the anode rod a...
Forum Discussion
Huntindog wrote:
I don't think the tank is glass lined...That is why it uses an anode rod.
I am not sure what a anode rod is made of. Magnesium and welding though do not mix.
If it cannot be welded on, then the drilling it out incrementally can work. With careful chiseling for the last step. This is a tricky operation though, and the risk of thread damage is pretty high. A tap can be used afterwards to help repair SLIGHTLY damaged threads.
I have had pretty good luck with this method over the years. Before I got into welding, it was my go to method.
I like welding better now, when it is possible.
Suburban uses an anode rod BECAUSE tank is STEEL that is glass-lined (just like a residential water heater)
(Atwood uses an aluminum clad alloy tank hence no anode rod)
Suburban OEM anode rod is MAGNESIUM as it is the MOST conductive and disintegrates the quickest therefore the most corrosion protection under the widest conditions.
An aluminum anode rod is optional.
Flat surface on hex head of rod indicates aluminum rod
A bump on surface of hex head indicates magnesium rod
