Where is water heater leak coming from?

[OnJa]

My Lightening Rod Diode in my 10gal hot water heater burnt out, so I replaced with new diode. The burnt out one had a 'hole' blowed out in the side of it. My question is this: 'is it possible that it could have blowed a hole in the bottom of the heater itself, because now I have a continuious dripping coming from under my unit directly below my water heater. No, it is not leaking around the vent lever. No, it is not leaking around the Diode entrance. They were sealed properly. Leak has me stumped. Do I have to take off the outside skirt to have access to my water heater to visually check this out? My Monaco ['90 Crown Royale] has a good sealed insulated basement area. Want to keep it that way if at all possible. Have water turned off, till can find the soluion.

[Rex]

Well put the heater in bypass, drain it and see if the leak stops. If it does at least you know it is the heater.

[OnJa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rex Well put the heater in bypass, drain it and see if the leak stops. If it does at least you know it is the heater.

O.K. put it in bypass, had one h--- of a time finding the by-pass valve. I also found my water-pump and inverter. They definately were not where the owners manual said they were at. Now to find the drinking water filter canister. ha

It is not the water heater T/G. Leak is at a "T". Should have know it wouldn't be a long straight stretch to make it easy. Now to repair it.

Thank you for your output Rex.

[Rex]

OnJa, now to fix it. If you have the water lines with a metal ring crimped on where the lines connect to fittings, that takes a special tool to crimp. Better way now is to go to Lowe's and get the new type fittings. They just slip on the pipe and automatically clamp. There is a small inexpensive tool sole where you get the fittings to remove them.

[gasman123]

Around here they are called shark bites one of the best things they came out with and are really simple to use.

[Rex]

Yep, Lowe's has one name for them and Home Depot a different name, but they do the exact same thing. They are a great way to make connections in plumbing pipe. Come all sort of fittings - inline - T - valves - etc.

[OnJa]

Called 2 local nearby RV dealers for tubing and they said 'nope, don't handle it anymore. can't compete with Home Depot'. You can get what you need there, they have it all.

Good to know about the shark bite and accessories. I will look into it, as I did repair it, but it [my waterlines] is now mixed with CPCV. ha

Thanks for all the info fellows. Greatly appreciated.

[OnJa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rex Yep, Lowe's has one name for them and Home Depot a different name, but they do the exact same thing. They are a great way to make connections in plumbing pipe. Come all sort of fittings - inline - T - valves - etc.

That is how I fixed my leak, thanks for this great tip on hardware. I have extra pieces also.