Suburban Water Heater Leak

[RKK]

2000 Triple E Commander with original Suburban water heater (with motor aid). Bought the MH last month and went out last weekend for a trial run. Second time we fired up the water heater we noticed water inside the MH on the floor. Checked all hose connections - no leaks. Noticed drops of water coming from the bottom of the unit (not hoses or connections). Seemed to be a slow leak which stopped once heater was shut off. Drained the tank and noticed the sacrificial rod was like new, but the drain hole was rusted.

This is new to me so not sure what to check next. Afraid the tank has rusted to the point of no return and needs to be replaced.

Help ! http://www.irv2.com/forums/images/smilies/banghead.gif

RK

[Bubwheat]

Originally Posted by RKK

2000 Triple E Commander with original Suburban water heater (with motor aid). Bought the MH last month and went out last weekend for a trial run. Second time we fired up the water heater we noticed water inside the MH on the floor. Checked all hose connections - no leaks. Noticed drops of water coming from the bottom of the unit (not hoses or connections). Seemed to be a slow leak which stopped once heater was shut off. Drained the tank and noticed the sacrificial rod was like new, but the drain hole was rusted.

This is new to me so not sure what to check next. Afraid the tank has rusted to the point of no return and needs to be replaced.

Help ! http://www.irv2.com/forums/images/smilies/banghead.gif

RK

You may have lost air cushion in top of heater. To find out do this: Turn off water supply, open water taps in RV, open the pressure relief valve on the water heater and allow to drain. Then reverse the steps. This allows for the air cushion to re-establish. This should solve the problem.

[RKK]

Thanks I will try that. How does the lack of air pocket create a leak in the system??

[RKK]

I forgot to mention that the leak seems to be on the inside of the MH not near the pressure relief valve or outside of the unit.

[Bubwheat]

Originally Posted by RKK

Thanks I will try that. How does the lack of air pocket create a leak in the system??

There is by design an air space in the top of the water heater intended to absorb the expansion as the water heats. The longer the water heater is filled with water and in use, the more the air space disappears.

It would be nice if it always comes out of the pressure relief valve, but a lot of the time it comes out elsewhere. Which I think is you problem.

[jesilvas]

Check the water lines behind the water heater.
If they aren't leaking, you've probably got a hole in the tank.

[RKK]

The first thing I did was to check all the lines and connections... no leaks. The leak is from the bottom of the tank shroud / housing / metal box. Logic tells me that as this is a closed system, the fact that there is no water coming from the pressure relief valve, must mean there is a hole somewhere in the tank.

Has anyone else been through this ?

[dvalcO7]

Originally Posted by RKK

2000 Triple E Commander with original Suburban water heater (with motor aid). Bought the MH last month and went out last weekend for a trial run. Second time we fired up the water heater we noticed water inside the MH on the floor. Checked all hose connections - no leaks. Noticed drops of water coming from the bottom of the unit (not hoses or connections). Seemed to be a slow leak which stopped once heater was shut off. Drained the tank and noticed the sacrificial rod was like new, but the drain hole was rusted.

This is new to me so not sure what to check next. Afraid the tank has rusted to the point of no return and needs to be replaced.

Help ! https://www.irv2.com/forums/images/smilies/banghead.gif

RK

RKK, I have the same symptoms and HW tank (4 ys old), was it the tank or a leak from the line connection?

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by dvalcO7

RKK, I have the same symptoms and HW tank (4 ys old), was it the tank or a leak from the line connection?

'dvalc07'-----WELCOME !

This thread is over 8 yrs old

Best to start your own thread and post brand/model of water heater (and RV) along with issues with the water heater.

More details....
Many times the fittings on cold in/hot out lines are just hand tightened and will drip

Relief valves can weep
Drain plugs can leak

If leak is INSIDE the RV then fitting/line or pinhole in tank

Wrap Toilet paper around fittings/connections
Lay pieces of TP around bottom of tank area
Any dampness will point you to the leak

[dvalcO7]

Thanks Old-Biscuit,
Valve connections seemed hand tight and only getting wet under tank with line pressure or pump on. Will try the TP test before ordering a new tank.

[Old-Biscuit]

Suburban doesn't sell tanks...have to buy whole new water heater