Yahoo Message Number: 89765 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/89765)
Our 10-gallon Atwood water heater has bit the dust and is leaking. Was wondering if there is anyone out there that has done the replacement themselves? Our main concern is how to keep the antifreeze from going all over the place. How do we plug those lines coming in to the water heater and that which is inside the water heater from coming out. This is a tight confining space to be working in. It still works so we have been turning off the water pump so no pressure on it and also turning off the water heater itself when not in use. Sure could use some suggestions on this. Thanks.
Don Gilbert
2000 Affinity #5681
Yahoo Message Number: 89781 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/89781)
We had a similar problem in our 2000 Affinity. We thought we had to replace the heater. However, check your fittings on top of the water heater. You can access them by removing the panel in the floor of the closet, which exposes the top of the water heater. Our fittings had deteriorated and caused the leakage. Since replacement we have had no problems.
If you need further information, email paducahflash.rb@... (paducahflash.rb@...) Reg Baldwin
2000 Affinity #5795
Yahoo Message Number: 89782 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/89782)
Don,
When we replaced ours a couple years ago there was enough slack in the coolant hoses to pull out the water heater without disconnecting any hoses (after disconnecting the gas line). Once the heater was out - hanging by the hoses - the hoses could easily be disconnected and connected to each other with a short section of tubing.
Some coolant loss is inevitable; I think we lost a gallon or so on this project. Having an extra set of hands to hold thumbs over the ends of the hoses until they can be joined or plugged will help cut down on coolant loss.
The water heater model in our coach was no longer available so we went with a replacement tank and reused all the other parts. Replacing the entire water heater with a newer model would have required running an additional control wire (and switch) to the front of the coach.
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Tom Harsch 2002 Allure #30791
Rapid City, SD