Water Heater Anode Stuck

[DKW]

Trying to replace the anode in my water heater and the core metal "rod" came out with the plug but not the anode. Anyone ever have this problem? Not sure the best approach to removing the old anode. Help! Thanks in advance.

[skipwil]

I feel for you. That's one I've never seen. Most just disappear.Good luck and if itdoes come be sure to post the "how to" it comes out.
Safe travels.

[RV Wizard]

It looks like you have a lot of scale built up on the inside lining of the tank. Push the anode rod in a little and clean the inside area of the nipple, the anode screws into. Making the hole large will allow you to remove the old anode. To prevent this from happening be sure to drain and flush the water heater a couple of times at least per year. We lived in our coach for 7+ years and traveling around to all kinds of water; we invested in a water softener that worked perfectly in preventing this and other kinds of problems.

[paz]

I'd work with it a bit to try to get the old rod out; but if you can't get it out, I don't think it would hurt anything to pull the threaded plug and metal core out of the anode and just push the anode portion back into the tank and leave it there. Rinse out the scale as best you can, clean up the threads and put in a new anode rod. The old anode will eventually disappear.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Agree with Paz - the anode will disappear eventually. That's what it is designed to do.

[Darrel]

One more point. It looks like you used teflon tape on your plug/anode. I think that that is discouraged since the plug needs to contact (electrically) to the tank for the anode to operate effectively

Have a nice day - Darrel

[autofish]

DKW looks like you have a aluminium tank buy may be an Atwood hwh if it is it should not have an anode in it as al. tanks do not needs them and yes I have remove several like yours from al. tanks they are a bi,,,, to get out . Some times I cut the rod and then spin the anode with a drill while working the old anode out also keep flushing it with water so it does not get stuck........good luck hope this helps.

[RV Wizard]

Reviewed the picture and autofish is correct. You should not use an anode rode as the steel plug and aluminum nipple will guald together and create even more problems. Leaving the magnesium anode in (since it won't interfere with another) is fine. Just install a nylon plug but keep the tank maintained.

[RVhauler]

Possible to use a left hand cut drill bit that might break it loose or drill a hole into it and try to break it loose using an easy out screwed into the drilled hole

[DKW]

Autofish, thanks for the heads up. It is an Atwood and never thought it might be alum. The tank had the anode in it when i bought the RV. I'll try RVhauler's suggestion to try and remove the anode. If it doesn't work I'll leave it in a suggested. Thanks for the good suggestions and I'll let you know what happens this weekend.

[CWHTRAINS]

You may try spraying it with straight vinegar several times to reduce the amount of scale on it and thus create some clearance to pull it out. Once out, just flush the tank with clean water. Good luck.

[ralper]

That is correct. An aluminum tank needs no anode rod. It seems the scale built up on the rod. I have never seen an anode rod do this in my 45 years of plumbing. Anode rods are made to disintegrate so the tank doesn't. Yours did not disintegrate so the scale built up. My drain hole has a nylon/plastic plug. Put one of these back in.

[Finhawk]

I had one in my Attwood. Called customer service and was told not to use an anode because it's not needed. The problem apparently is that the plug will weld it's self to the tank. Give them a call for clarification

[DKW]

Finhawk,

It's definately welded to the tank. Last attempt the metal core broke inside the anode and i was unable to break the anode loose with a hammer. Strange the previous owner added the following Atwood anode directions to the installation guide. Atwood must make both steel and alum. I'll call them tomorrow to see what they suggest. If the anode is not sacrificial in an alum tank, I may need to drill through the anode to drain the tank. Funny how a simple maintenance procedure can become a major hassle. Thanks for the help!