Home Page link

Stuck water heater sacrificial anode

Home| Search | About
Login Password
Register Now! Lost Password?

Home Repair - - If it ain't broken, don't fix it. Otherwise look here. 

Bookmark this page:  YahooMyWeb Yahoo!  Google Google  Windows Live Favorites Windows Live  del.icio.us del.icio.us  digg digg  Add to Netscape Netscape
Subject Author Date
Stuck water heater sacrificial anode blueman 12-07-2007
If you were  Registered and logged in, you could reply and use other advanced thread options
Posted by blueman on December 7, 2007, 12:33 pm
We have an approximately 4 year old gas-fired 50 gallon hot water
heater.

Based on recommendations I saw on one of the TV howto shows, I tried
to unscrew and examine the sacrificial anode for corrosion.

However, I could not get the large nut on top of the water heater to
budge. I tried liberally applying liquid wrench and using as much
force as I dared so as not to damage the gas connection.

Any suggestions on how to loosen the nut?
Also, are such inspections really worthwhile in terms of trying to
extend the life of the water heater or am I best off leaving it all
alone?

Thanks

Posted by RichK on December 7, 2007, 12:56 pm


> We have an approximately 4 year old gas-fired 50 gallon hot water
> heater.

You do not say what the warranty period is for this heater. If 10y - it may
be to early to change the anode.

> However, I could not get the large nut on top of the water heater to
> budge. I tried liberally applying liquid wrench and using as much
> force as I dared so as not to damage the gas connection.

"As much force" is relative. I'm not sure what the neede torque is, but
it's a lot. I needed an extension on the wrench. With an extension, you
can apply continuous force and it will let go.

> Any suggestions on how to loosen the nut?

Just gentle force via an extension.

> Also, are such inspections really worthwhile in terms of trying to
> extend the life of the water heater or am I best off leaving it all
> alone?

Of course, if you don't do it right, you can mess up the heater :-) IMO
it's worth it, if you do it at the right time. Too early and you've wasted
your effort, too late and it's too late.

RichK



Posted by AZ Nomad on December 7, 2007, 2:41 pm


>> We have an approximately 4 year old gas-fired 50 gallon hot water
>> heater.

>You do not say what the warranty period is for this heater. If 10y - it may
>be to early to change the anode.

>> However, I could not get the large nut on top of the water heater to
>> budge. I tried liberally applying liquid wrench and using as much
>> force as I dared so as not to damage the gas connection.

>"As much force" is relative. I'm not sure what the neede torque is, but
>it's a lot. I needed an extension on the wrench. With an extension, you
>can apply continuous force and it will let go.

>> Any suggestions on how to loosen the nut?

>Just gentle force via an extension.

Instead of a wrench, use a socket and breaker bar.


Posted by Erma1ina on December 7, 2007, 5:25 pm
blueman wrote:
>
> We have an approximately 4 year old gas-fired 50 gallon hot water
> heater.
>
> Based on recommendations I saw on one of the TV howto shows, I tried
> to unscrew and examine the sacrificial anode for corrosion.
>
> However, I could not get the large nut on top of the water heater to
> budge. I tried liberally applying liquid wrench and using as much
> force as I dared so as not to damage the gas connection.
>
> Any suggestions on how to loosen the nut?
> Also, are such inspections really worthwhile in terms of trying to
> extend the life of the water heater or am I best off leaving it all
> alone?
>
> Thanks

As trader4 suggested: USE AN IMPACT WRENCH.

I've changed the anode rod twice on my current water heater. The first
time, with the factory-installed (A O Smith) anode rod, required about
one second with a cheap electric (corded) impact wrench (1 1/16" socket)
after using a generous dose of Liquid Wrench. I didn't need the impact
wrench for the second time since I had installed the anode rod
previously, tightly but not as tight as the factory.

Posted by Robert Barr on December 8, 2007, 12:07 am
blueman wrote:
> We have an approximately 4 year old gas-fired 50 gallon hot water

>
> Any suggestions on how to loosen the nut?

I use a portable air tank and an impact driver. ZZZZZZZZZZZIP!

Similar ThreadsPosted
Draining (hot) water heater and checking sacrificial anode October 18, 2007, 7:23 pm
sacrificial anode -- I'm confused December 7, 2007, 3:56 pm
teflon tape on sacrificial anode - debunking an urban myth October 20, 2006, 6:01 pm
water heater anode rod December 19, 2005, 12:20 pm
water heater: removing anode rod February 13, 2007, 1:54 pm
A. O. Smith water heater anode rod and warranty question September 16, 2006, 9:23 am
Anode ideas for spa copper heater June 19, 2007, 10:18 pm
I just learned water heaters have an "anode" and its important June 8, 2007, 11:43 am
water filter housing stuck November 22, 2006, 8:59 pm
Removing a stuck cold water handle from its stem?? August 5, 2006, 12:00 pm

Contact Us | Privacy Policy

XML SitemapXML Sitemap