2009 r pod water heater has had no maintenance!

[m1chael]

I recently purchased a 2009 r Pod 174, my first camper, we've used it once and really enjoy it! My 3 year old calls it her playhouse.

Anyway, we did some cleaning up on it this past weekend and having been doing a bunch of research online and watch a ton of YouTube videos about maintenance. So, part of what I did was check out the water heater and found out that the water heater has never been maintained! All that was left of the anode rod was the steel center stick and a tiny little whole in the opening for that steel stick to fit. We spent a couple of hours spraying it out and then filled it with 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water, turned on the heater and left it over night and then spent a couple of hours the next day spraying it out, filling it up and flushing it until the water ran clear.

Between that and what looks like the insulating Styrofoam on top melting, how screwed am I? Will I have to buy a new water heater soon? I was planning on wrapping the outside of the heater with some heat barrier, Reflectix, from Home Depot.

[007matman]

Fill it up and Fire it up and see if it works. My main concern would be that it would leak if the tank corroded too bad or that the burner would be shot as it appears to have been left in the "on" position too long.

[m1chael]

Oh it works, we've used it camping already before we cleaned and it worked over night to heat the 50/50 mix of water and vinegar. I haven't seen any signs of leaking around the tank, inside or outside, so it seems to good for now. I supposed I should just plan on replacing it in the next year or less.

[007matman]

You might've caught it in time. They can take a little abuse.

[Wolverine 1945]

Have you replaced the anode rod ???

[m1chael]

Yes, I've ordered a new anode and electric heating element. Figured it wouldn't hurt to replace that as well.

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by m1chael

Yes, I've ordered a new anode and electric heating element. Figured it wouldn't hurt to replace that as well.

GOOD THINKING !!!

[5picker]

You are only screwed once something happens to it. (leaks, etc.)
That could be tomorrow or never as long as you own it.
Same goes for a new one.

I'd just use it.
I wouldn't worry about wrapping the tank with anything either unless you plan to full time in it.

[Bama Rambler]

If the deposits you cleaned out were calcium (whiteish) then it may have actually helped protect the tank from corrosion.

As said above, keep an eye on it, but don't worry about it much.

[HerveVR]

My 5¢.

You should put the water-heater in the bypass position.
Empty it through the anode rod port.
Get a plumbing adapter 3/4pipe male to hose female and connect it in place of the anode rod.
Get a «air blowout adaptor» (used for winterizing water lines) and connect it to the adaptor.
Put ait in the reservoir up to 100psi (the pressure relief valve is setted at 120psi).
Check the pressure gauge if the tank hold to 1000psi. If so, the tank is OK.
Meanwhile, check all plumbing fittings with a soapy solution; watch for bubbles.
If your reservoir is leaking it will be air rather than water; causing less damage to your rig.

That is wath I did last week. My water heater as to be replaced after only 5 years. Did it myself but still $$$

[m1chael]

@HerveVR this is an excellent idea, thanks for the suggestion.

[mfMcFroggierPod]

I appears the missing insulation is from something bumping it taking little chunks off at a time. Let the water hear on and check it at various times for leaks. If non get some new insulating styrofoam and re-insulate.
Once a year clean out debris/and inspect anode rod and clean burner tube.