|
10-28-2011, 09:01 AM
|
#1
|
Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Posts: 70
|
Stuck Water Heater Drain Plug
I am in the process of winterizing my Rockwood Minilite 2306 for its first winter hibernation. Unfortunately, the hot water heater drain plug, which has some rust on it, is stuck. I've tried WD40 but it won't budge. Does anyone have any suggestions on how they solved this problem? Thanks in advance for your help.
Greg
|
|
|
10-28-2011, 09:11 AM
|
#2
|
Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 10,518
|
Half inch drive socket with 6" extension and a straight bar or strong arm
bar. More muscle. Liquid wrench which is much better than wd40 for
loosening rusted parts. Soak the threads with it and let it sit over night.
In an extreme case I've been known to heat the
stuck part with a small LP torch after an application of liquid wrench.
__________________
Peace!
Dan & Rita D
2017 Nissan Titan 5.6L King cab 4wd
2016 Evergreen Everlite 242RBS
29' empty nest model. Blue Ox WD hitch
(1 queen bed, large main cabin and huge bathroom)
Camping days 2010-53, 2011-47, 2012-41, 2013-41, 2014-31, 2015-40, 2016-44, 2017-63, 2018-75, 2019-32, 2020-41, 2021-49, 2022-43, 2023-66
|
|
|
10-28-2011, 09:13 AM
|
#3
|
Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 93
|
Use liquid wrench (it may have to sit a few hours to work in) and CAREFULLY tap on it with a hammer a few times (the impact will help jar it loose). Then rinse and wipe clean.
__________________
Keith,Karen,Brianna, and Jessica
2015 F250 KingRanch, Powerstoke 6.7, 373 gears,
Prime Time Owner #81
2012 Tracer 3150bhd Delivered 10-22-2011
Nights Camped 2012 - 9 ,2013 - 7,2014-16
|
|
|
10-28-2011, 09:14 AM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,106
|
Elbow Grease works well.
__________________
Terry/Bernadette Lily the Yorkie 2019 Dodge Ram Sport 1500 2019 FR Vibe 28RL
|
|
|
10-28-2011, 09:33 AM
|
#5
|
Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Posts: 70
|
Thank you, boys. You're a bunch of unrecognized geniuses. I was reluctant to put the torch to the bolt, but that and some elbow grease did the trick. The only problem occured when I loosed the bolt enough so that the heating element came out like a bullet leaves a gun. No worries, though. Thanks again, and now you'll have to excuse while I go sew back on a limb where the element hit my arm.
Greg
|
|
|
10-28-2011, 09:44 AM
|
#6
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gkconfer
The only problem occured when I loosed the bolt enough so that the heating element came out like a bullet leaves a gun.
|
Greg, I hope you did not get injured too bad.
There should not be a heating element on the drain plug. Hopefully what you are seeing is the anode rod.
This should be an important reminder to all. Relieve the pressure before pulling the drain plug. Flip the pop-off valve to do that, or run the hot water faucets (before using the water heater bypass) to relieve the pressure.
__________________
Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
|
|
|
10-28-2011, 10:29 AM
|
#7
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Posts: 3,365
|
Yeah, I forgot to release the pressure this year and soaked myself good!
__________________
2021 F350 Lariat 7.3 4X4 w 4.30s, 2018 Wildcat 29RLX
2012 BMW G650GS, Demco Premiere Slider
1969 John Deere 1020, 1940 Ford 9N, 1948 Ford 8N
Jonsered 535, Can of WD-40, Duct Tape
Red Green coffee mugs
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|