Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 04-08-2007, 12:31 PM   #1
Winnebago Camper
 
rvskipper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Lakeport & Palm Springs, CA
Posts: 30
The nylon drain plug on my water heater seeps.
I tightened it up. No luck.
I am going to replace the plug tomorrow.
Any other ideas?
__________________
Rich & Diane

Baxter the Cat
rvskipper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2007, 03:30 PM   #2
Winnebago Master
 
cbeierl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Nashua, NH
Posts: 1,817
I would recommend some teflon plumbers tape wrapped around the threads of the plug.
__________________
Chris Beierl

2005 Winnebago Vectra 36RD
cbeierl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2007, 03:35 PM   #3
I helped | retired moderator
 
Route 66's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Newark, DE
Posts: 285
Quote:
I would recommend some teflon plumbers tape wrapped around the threads of the plug.
That's exactly what I did. No more leak.
__________________
Adios, Dirk - '84 Real Lite Truck Camper, '86 Wilderness Cimarron TT, previously 4 years as a fulltimer in a '07 DSDP

Route 66 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2007, 04:11 PM   #4
Winnebago Master
 
Pusherman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Rochester NY
Posts: 813
I too use teflon tape each time I reinstall the drain plug for the hot water heater.
__________________
Don
'07 Winnebago Journey 34H - CAT C7, Koni's, MCU's, SS Bell Crank, Safe-T-Plus
'07 HHR Toad, SMI AFO, Blue OX
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Pusherman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2007, 04:43 PM   #5
Winnebago Master
 
AFChap's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: ...hopefully on the road!
Posts: 1,653
Just had this discussion on another list! Teflon tape can help, but won't always do the trick depending on how old the plug is. I carry extra plugs. They come in packs of 2. The plug yellows and hardens with age/exposure to the hot water, and will eventually fail. I (and others) have had the head of the plug crack off. I stuck a sharp knife into the broken off threads and turned them out. Now I just replace the plug annually or so when I do one of my regular flush routines. A fellow owner/friend was told by Winnebago factory service center not to replace the nylon plug with a brass pulg because the nylon plug is a safety feature designed to melt/blow out if the thermostat fails and overheats the water. I don't know about that for sure, but it is easy to carry an extra plug or two and to replace it annually or so.
__________________
Paul (KE5LXU) ...was fulltimin', now parttimin'
'03 Winnebago UA 40e TRADED OFF JUL 2023 / '17 Jeep Grand Cherokee toad
AFChap is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2007, 04:44 PM   #6
Winnie-Wise
 
Wizard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Home on the hill in Georgia
Posts: 296
If you do replace it, use a nylon plug not PVC. PVC is not rated for hot water. I would still use the teflon tape on either. Just an old plummer talking.
__________________
Jerry & Patsy Potter, Taz & Jake Jr.
2000 Winnebago Journey
2006 Ford Explorer 4X4
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Wizard is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2007, 05:01 AM   #7
Winnebago Owner
 
Cousin Ed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Cape Cod, MA
Posts: 122
Camping world has a sacrificing rod that replaces the plug and it has a built in drain. Protect the water heater and make winterizing easier....win; win for about $13.
__________________
Jeanie, Ed & Slade the GSD
Cape Cod, MA
2017 Entegra Aspire RBQ & Sierra Crew
Cousin Ed is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2007, 05:11 AM   #8
Living The Dream
 
SeeTheUSA's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Deep In The Heart of Texas
Posts: 366
Has anyone replaced the nylon plug with one of those brass ones that has a petcock for draining?
__________________
Warren and Debbie
2018 Winnebago View 24D
2014 Tiffin Breeze 32BR, 2012 Winnebago Navion 24G, 2006 Winnebago View 23H
SeeTheUSA is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2007, 05:21 AM   #9
Winnebago Master
 
smlranger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Glen Allen, VA
Posts: 2,169
Quote:
Originally posted by SeeTheUSA:
Has anyone replaced the nylon plug with one of those brass ones that has a petcock for draining?
I did. Used 1/2" brass close nipple, elbow, then 1/2" brass ball valve (had to use the elbow to get the door closed). Works fine.
__________________
'07 Country Coach Allure 470 Siskiyou Summit #31578, Cummins ISL 425; 2014 Ford F150 toad; Air Force One Toad Brake.
Glen Allen, VA; Smith Mountain Lake, VA.
smlranger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2007, 09:26 AM   #10
Winnebago Master
 
AFChap's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: ...hopefully on the road!
Posts: 1,653
Quote:
sacrificing rod that replaces the plug and it has a built in drain. Protect the water heater and make winterizing easier
...and make flushing much more difficult.

I know many do use anode rods, but Atwood WH tanks do not need them like differently constructed tanks do. If you do use a metal plug, be sure to use teflon tape on the threads, and you need to remove it at least once a year to ensure it does not freeze in place due to reaction of the different metals. That rather defeats the purpose of a plug with a built in drain, but protecting the tank should be more important than convenience in draining.
__________________
Paul (KE5LXU) ...was fulltimin', now parttimin'
'03 Winnebago UA 40e TRADED OFF JUL 2023 / '17 Jeep Grand Cherokee toad
AFChap is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2007, 05:36 PM   #11
Winnebago Camper
 
george henry's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Atlanta, GA. , South Beach, FL. Naples, Fl , Coral Gables,FL.
Posts: 26
Quote:
Originally posted by AFChap:
Just had this discussion on another list! Teflon tape can help, but won't always do the trick depending on how old the plug is. I carry extra plugs. They come in packs of 2. The plug yellows and hardens with age/exposure to the hot water, and will eventually fail. I (and others) have had the head of the plug crack off. I stuck a sharp knife into the broken off threads and turned them out. Now I just replace the plug annually or so when I do one of my regular flush routines. A fellow owner/friend was told by Winnebago factory service center not to replace the nylon plug with a brass pulg because the nylon plug is a safety feature designed to melt/blow out if the thermostat fails and overheats the water. I don't know about that for sure, but it is easy to carry an extra plug or two and to replace it annually or so.
Great idea , now I will buy a couple of new nylon plugs to have in case. Never though about it blowing out for safewty reason if the thermostat sticks. thanks great info.
george henry is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-28-2009, 03:59 PM   #12
Winnebago Owner
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 185
Can anybody tell me the proper size socket for the drain plug? I'm guessing 22mm or even 7/8"?

Thanks.
theroc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2009, 02:15 AM   #13
Winnebago Owner
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 57
My nylon plug developed a leak and I replaced it with a brass plug that had a petcock. No more leaks and I don't have to remove the plug to drain the tank.
__________________
Dave and Derita
2007 Winnebago Adventurer 38J - 2014 Honda CR-V in tow- Banks PowerPack
DavidC1225 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2009, 06:41 AM   #14
iRV2 Marketing
 
DriVer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Conway, SC
Posts: 886
Quote:
Originally posted by scirocco22:
Can anybody tell me the proper size socket for the drain plug? I'm guessing 22mm or even 7/8"?
scirocco22, That's a good question that I have solved using an adjustable wrench.
__________________
03 Adventurer 38G, Workhorse W22
F&R Track Bars, Safety+ , Ultrapower, Taylor Extremes, SGII
TST 507, Blue Ox, SMI, Koni FSD, CrossFire
RV/MH Hall of Fame - Lifetime Member
DriVer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2009, 07:08 AM   #15
Winnie-Wise
 
Pubtym's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 359
Quote:
Originally posted by DriVer:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by scirocco22:
Can anybody tell me the proper size socket for the drain plug? I'm guessing 22mm or even 7/8"?
scirocco22, That's a good question that I have solved using an adjustable wrench. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Metric or standard adjustable wrench?
__________________
Pubtym, 20th SOS "Green Hornet" , Viet Nam 68-69,
2015 Thor A.C.E 29.3
Pubtym is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2009, 07:45 AM   #16
Winnie-Wise
 
dirko's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Draper, UT
Posts: 309
Hi Ho: Everyone will have to decide the best way to solve this design problem. One way is to use teflon tape and just buy a handful of replacement plugs for when it leaks. Too much hassle for me.

Another way is to install some kind of permanenet fixture with a drain. The problem is that if whatever is screwed into the water is not plastic (metal of some kind) the threads will eventually want to weld themselves in place.

My solution is really simple. Replace the plastic plug with a brass plug with teflon tape and remove it every fall when the water heater is drained. Never leaks and is easy to get in and out if done at least once a year. Brass is soft and close enough electrically to aluminum so that for me it has worked well for eight years now.

The water heater does have a pop-off valve--or over temperature pressure (OTP) valve--so that should take care of any over-heated water for whatever reason.

Just my thoughts, Dirk
dirko is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2009, 10:34 AM   #17
Winnebago Owner
 
Navy Flier's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 221
This is silly. Instead of spending $$ and time and fretting about brass, aluminum, teflon and anode rods just replace the .99 nylon plug each year and be done with it. It would be cheap if I had to replace them three times a year.
__________________
Chuck & Carol
08 Horizon 40TD
04 Honda CR-V
Navy Flier is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2009, 02:15 PM   #18
Winnie-Wise
 
Pubtym's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 359
Quote:
Originally posted by Navy Flier:
This is silly. Instead of spending $$ and time and fretting about brass, aluminum, teflon and anode rods just replace the .99 nylon plug each year and be done with it. It would be cheap if I had to replace them three times a year.
This is brilliant! I agree...I think someone said this before...around and around we go..
__________________
Pubtym, 20th SOS "Green Hornet" , Viet Nam 68-69,
2015 Thor A.C.E 29.3
Pubtym is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2009, 03:22 PM   #19
Winnebago Master
 
Tom N's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Sarver, PA/Crystal River, FL/Shelocta, PA
Posts: 1,196
I bought a couple PVC plugs for 19 cents each to keep as spares. I gave one to an Alfa owner parked 2 sites from me last week.

Atwood uses nylon because of a slight galvanic action between brass and aluminum. Plus, brass can easily strip the aluminum threads in the tank. Strips those threads and you have a problem.

-Tom
__________________
Sarver, PA/Crystal River, FL/Shelocta, PA · FMCA 335149 · W3TLN
2005 Suncruiser 38R · W24, no chassis mods needed · 2013 Honda Accord EX-L · 2008 Honda Odyssey EX-L
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Tom N is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-01-2009, 03:40 PM   #20
Winnebago Owner
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 185
Jeez, sorry to revive an old thread with my stupid question about the socket size of the drain plug. *laughs*

I just quickly looked at the plug and it appeared that the easiest way to extract it was with a socket. So from your responses, I guess there's enough room around there to just use a crescent wrench?

I have yet to drain my hot water tank. So, I'm going to ask one more stupid question.

And once you remove the plug, do you just let the water drain all over the cover?

It would sure be nice to be able to hook a hose of some type to the hole so that you could direct the water where you want it to go. Not necessarily a garden hose because I realize that would be over-kill for 10 gallons but some type of smaller diameter hose would be nice.
theroc is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Spartan Chassis plug in "diagonistic" plug David K General Maintenance and Repair 24 12-21-2007 04:44 AM
Help, 1/2 of drain plug stuck in hot water heater rvcarpenter Plumbing | Systems and Fixtures 9 05-25-2007 06:44 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Winnebago Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:44 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.