Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-21-2018, 05:39 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Central IL
Posts: 21
Water heater ... I think it's dead, Jim

FR 394FKDS, parked at a campground in Central IL. Finally got the water turned on since it's above freezing. Fortunately I had the sense to get all of the water run thru the rest of the camper before undoing the water heater bypass. Crawled under the sink and thought "I don't remember the water heater being tilted last year".

We drained the entire system, including removing the plugs from the hot water line and making sure the water heater was totally empty. Should also have been no antifreeze in it. What would have caused it to pop and jump like that? It also broke the hold-down straps.

Thanks in advance!Click image for larger version

Name:	0421181638a.jpeg
Views:	120
Size:	42.9 KB
ID:	169128Click image for larger version

Name:	0421181638b.jpeg
Views:	105
Size:	47.9 KB
ID:	169129
runmom1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2018, 05:52 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Port Charlotte Fl/Hinsdale Ma
Posts: 4,823
Quote:
Originally Posted by runmom1 View Post
FR 394FKDS, parked at a campground in Central IL. Finally got the water turned on since it's above freezing. Fortunately I had the sense to get all of the water run thru the rest of the camper before undoing the water heater bypass. Crawled under the sink and thought "I don't remember the water heater being tilted last year".

We drained the entire system, including removing the plugs from the hot water line and making sure the water heater was totally empty. Should also have been no antifreeze in it. What would have caused it to pop and jump like that? It also broke the hold-down straps.

Thanks in advance!Attachment 169128Attachment 169129
Me thinks you didn't get it drained. From the rust I see it's time to replace it anyway.
cavie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2018, 06:30 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Port Richey Florida
Posts: 640
Yep, looks like it still had water in it and it froze and swelled up.
Decon Blue is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2018, 06:32 PM   #4
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Central IL
Posts: 21
Well, rats. Thanks for the confirmation. I swear we emptied it all the way ...
runmom1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-21-2018, 06:33 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Port Charlotte Fl/Hinsdale Ma
Posts: 4,823
when I drain mine I leave the plug out.
cavie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-23-2018, 04:46 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
DouglasReid's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Maurice, LA
Posts: 4,095
Quote:
Originally Posted by cavie View Post
when I drain mine I leave the plug out.
Id put the plug back in if I were you. You don't want a mouse crawling in there and building a nest over the winter.
__________________
2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL, Gladiator Qr35 ST235/85R16 Load rating G, TST 507 TPMS w/ Flow-thru Sensors & Repeater, Reese Sidewinder 16K Pin Box, PI EMS HW50C
2009 Chevy Silverado 2500HD CCSB LTZ Diesel, Fumoto Oil Drain Valve, Turbo Brake activated, 39 gal Aux Tank W/ Fuel Pump transfer, Air Lift Loadlifter 5000 air bags.
DouglasReid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-23-2018, 06:08 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Port Charlotte Fl/Hinsdale Ma
Posts: 4,823
Quote:
Originally Posted by DouglasReid View Post
Id put the plug back in if I were you. You don't want a mouse crawling in there and building a nest over the winter.
I remove the outside vent cover and line with tin foil. No bug access. Same for the fridge vent cover.
cavie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-23-2018, 06:21 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
Quote:
Originally Posted by cavie View Post
when I drain mine I leave the plug out.
Since this is a "Estate Type Unit" I would venture to say that it has a Valve not a Plug for draining the Tank! The valve they use is a Cheap screwdriver slot type that is very easy to Clog with Crap,thus Not Draining all the Way! Youroo!!
__________________
youroo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-23-2018, 06:26 AM   #9
Site Team - Lou
 
Herk7769's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,268
Quote:
Originally Posted by youroo View Post
Since this is a "Estate Type Unit" i would venture to say that it has a Valve not a Plug for draining the Tank! The valve they use is a Cheap screwdriver slot type that is very easy to Clog with Crap,thus Not Draining all the Way! Youroo!!
Sounds like a winner.
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
Herk7769 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
heater, water, water heater

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:39 AM.