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02-07-2006, 05:11 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 336
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My new to me 1994 Atwood water heater has a steel pipe plug where the plastic one usually is. It does not want to budge. Any helpful advice for removing it? I can see remnants of teflon tape and maybe pipe dope. Tried some penetrant, but no luck yet. Thanks for any help, HarveyP
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94 Holiday Rambler Endeavor LE
Cummins/Allison
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02-07-2006, 05:11 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 336
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My new to me 1994 Atwood water heater has a steel pipe plug where the plastic one usually is. It does not want to budge. Any helpful advice for removing it? I can see remnants of teflon tape and maybe pipe dope. Tried some penetrant, but no luck yet. Thanks for any help, HarveyP
__________________
94 Holiday Rambler Endeavor LE
Cummins/Allison
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02-08-2006, 01:42 AM
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#3
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Moderator Emeritus
Country Coach Owners Club Appalachian Campers Gulf Streamers Club
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Chattanooga, Tn.
Posts: 12,060
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HArvey, keep soaking it with penetrating oil; aluminum tends to dry out and it will seize. It may take a couple days before you get it freed up. I am sure you already know to replace it with the plastic plug. Good luck and let us know how you make out.
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Mike, RVIA & RVSA Certified Master RV Technician
Amy, Dr. Assistant - Roxie & Mei Ling, four legs each
2000 Gulf Stream Scenic Cruiser 450 hp & 1330# torque
06 Saturn Vue, 06 Chevy Z71 4x4 & 2014 Corvette Z51 M7
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02-08-2006, 05:31 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Traveling in the East
Posts: 533
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Harvey,keep the penetrating oil going on it. Also try tightening it a little more to get it broken loose. When it does break loose a little keep rocking it back and forth instead of trying to taking it out all at once.
Joe
An Indian and a Gypsy
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02-08-2006, 06:10 AM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 43
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Harvey,
If for some reason you end up striping the threads out, you can buy just the tank. You do not have to buy a complete water heater.
That is assuming the other parts of the tank are OK.
I worked in a Montana RV Dealership one summer and we sold a lot of tanks. Seems the Montana winters were hard on those alumn tanks when they did not get drained properly.
Think they were about $100.
Jim
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'96 Safari 3540, 300 CAT, Fulltimmer since 2000
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02-09-2006, 02:57 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 336
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Just an update--no luck yet. I have kept it pretty well soaked with penetrant. I wrapped string around the threads to keep it in better contact. Tapped plug with a hammer, tapped wrench in both directions, still no luck. I even tried putting a heat gun to it until I got something smouldering. Not a good thing to do to wife's dream motorhome.
I called Atwood's customer service. When I told Todd that I had a stuck steel plug in the aluminum tank and needed advice, his first reaction was "Good luck". Described it as being welded in place. He suggested trying Break-Free, sounds like another penetrating oil. His other suggestion was to unscrew the Temp-pressure relief valve and siphoning the water through there. I did that, so at least no freezing worries. He said perhaps taking it to a machine shop and having plug drilled until sides were thin enough to collapse away from tank threads. Said it would be a risky thing to try. This was a much fancier water heater than our last motorhome had. Price for a bare tank was $360 and a whole new unit was way over $600. I may learn to like siphoning for those prices. Thanks for all the suggestions, and I'd be open to reading more. This is a great forum. HarveyP
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94 Holiday Rambler Endeavor LE
Cummins/Allison
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02-09-2006, 06:07 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Howell, New Jersey
Posts: 360
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When you say steel plug makes me wonder if its an anode rod.....what say everyone?
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Tim ,Retired Police Lt. 2002 Winnebago Adventurer+16' Trailer
Harley Road King and Heritage Classic+,Trik-L-start,Hughes Autoformer. Blue Tick Coon hound
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02-09-2006, 06:38 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,063
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Fossilhog:
When you say steel plug makes me wonder if its an anode rod.....what say everyone? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
While thats not recomended with the aluminum tank you never know when you are dealing with something used.
I'd almost be tempted to put a square drive socket in my 625ft lb EarthQuake wrench to get it off if it were mine. Probably take out part of the tank with the plug if I did.
I would be able to understand a stainless steel ball valve but a steel plug in an aluminum tank. We all have to promise to start reading the manual before we change anything. That way we can all be part of the solution.
Regards,
Neil
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Neil V
2001 Winnebago Adventurer WFG35U
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02-09-2006, 08:02 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: TEXAS
Posts: 177
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If you can get it try some dry ice on the steel plug holding it with some rags up against the plug for a few minutes.
Then with a wrench pulling to lossen it while tapping the end of the plug with a light hammer.
The extreem cold should shrink the plug a little maybe enough to get it out?
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Doug & Diane Myers
DFW, Texas
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