Community Forums

S2rg34 · 04-30-2012, 08:41 AM

Hello to all, I am new to this forum. I have a 10 gallon atwood water heater that we just de winterized this past weekend, and we found out that started leaking when filling it up to the top. I will try to fire up, but the red light goes on and it stops trying. We are not sure where is leaking from. We took the drain plug off and then we put back in place and refilled, but when it fills to the top, starts leaking again. We are thinking that maybe we didn't winterize properly? If the tank is punctured, do we need to replace the whole unit or can the tank only be replaced? Can be the pipes going to the tank the ones leaking? Since we can't see where the leak is happening. We did the winterizing three times before with the same process and we had no problems.
Thank you, and look forward to your replies.

Skip426 · 04-30-2012, 10:01 AM

Hi and Welcome to iRV2. I hope we can get you all the info you need. I will ask some questions. Is the water leaking inside the coach, compartment, or outside , through the burner chimmney ? How old is the coach ? How cold did it get in your area over the winter?
The water lines can leak , and the hot outlet is high on the tank, on the side or rear depending on the installation. Most times if the tank leaks the whole assembly needs to be replaced. I do not think that the tank can be purchased without the propane burners and controls.
I think that some where there has to be access to the rear of the tank, a screwed in panel in the coach, removing drawers, somehow you have to be able to see what's going on . Good luck

NITEHAWK · 04-30-2012, 10:09 AM

Is it leaking out the pressure relief valve? If so, this is normal.

Nice article in this month's FMCA magazine on water heaters. Might be worth checking.

Full.Monte · 05-01-2012, 06:35 AM

The most common place for water heaters to leak is at the pressure relief valve. They just wear out. You can get a new one at Home Depot if you match the specs on the metal tag on the pressure relief valve.

lthrnk · 05-01-2012, 06:53 AM

The pressure relief valve, over time, can get crud built up in it. If you remove it you can soak it in white vinegar for a few hours. As said you could just go to HD or Lowes and get a replacement.

If after installing you still get an occasional drip from it just flip the handle on it to reset the water level in the tank.

Dunner · 05-01-2012, 08:36 AM

My new 5er leaked on the second trip. "Flipped" it many time and it still dribbled. Dealer wanted me to bring all 33' of it in. They took my word for it and gave me a new one. It never leaked again.

My friend in SLC didn't winterize properly and his WH tank crackled. He took it out and apart and had it TIG welded for $20.

S2rg34 · 05-10-2012, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S2rg34

Hello to all, I am new to this forum. I have a 10 gallon atwood water heater that we just de winterized this past weekend, and we found out that started leaking when filling it up to the top. I will try to fire up, but the red light goes on and it stops trying. We are not sure where is leaking from. We took the drain plug off and then we put back in place and refilled, but when it fills to the top, starts leaking again. We are thinking that maybe we didn't winterize properly? If the tank is punctured, do we need to replace the whole unit or can the tank only be replaced? Can be the pipes going to the tank the ones leaking? Since we can't see where the leak is happening. We did the winterizing three times before with the same process and we had no problems.
Thank you, and look forward to your replies.

Hello everyone, well...We found the source of the leak, an amazing and beautiful rip on the hot water tank, it seems that when the winterizing was done, the tank was not properly drained... $500 bucks later, now is fixed, and one mistake we will never ever repeat

Another question we have is that if anyone know if there is a way to regulate the temperature on the water heater. It seems to be set up too hot.
Thank you to all, and look forward to hear from you.

SUMDALUS · 05-10-2012, 06:35 PM

Atwood makes an Adjustable Thermostat for all their water heats except the XT model. The Atwood part number is 93105. They run somewhere around $30.00.

Sorry, gang, no such thing for the Surburan water heaters!

Hope this helps.