HELP!!! Atwood water heater plug problem

[TheArthurs]

We are trying to finish up with seasonal maintenance and winterization. The last thing we need to do is flush the water heater. It has been drained.

THE PROBLEM is that the previous owner put a brass drain plug w/petcock in place of the nylon plug the manufacturer says to use. In researching this, the brass plug is NOT AT ALL a good idea. A great certified tech (mobile guy) said absolutely remove and put back in a nylon plug.

So, we were able to remove the brass plug but in doing so, found a wierd situation... there is something that has stayed behind inside the drain hole so we cant get a flush wand inside to clean it out.

Any idea what it could be???? i included a photo that you can click on and zoom if needed.

[be happy]

I can never remember which heater takes the plastic plug or the anode rod. So I guess Atwood uses the plastic plug, I did some further looking and found this
Camco 11533 4.5” Anode Rod with Drain for Atwood Aluminum Water Heater on Amazon. So I am thinking yours is what is left of the anode rode. Just a thought

[TheArthurs]

Yeah that's kinda what we figured. Now to figure out how the heck to remove it....grrrr

[emiddleb]

Actually, all Atwood's have an aluminum tank and do NOT require an anode rod. Suburban water heaters usually have porcelain-lined steel and do require them. Why do they sell them for Atwoods? Because most don't know the difference and so pay for them. My Atwood is 15 years old, never had an anode rod, still works like a champ. Removal will be tricky without knocking it into the tank... maybe carefully drill it with an easy-out? Not sure. Good luck.

[TheArthurs]

Originally Posted by emiddleb

Actually, all Atwood's have an aluminum tank and do NOT require an anode rod. Suburban water heaters usually have porcelain-lined steel and do require them. Why do they sell them for Atwoods? Because most don't know the difference and so pay for them. My Atwood is 15 years old, never had an anode rod, still works like a champ. Removal will be tricky without knocking it into the tank... maybe carefully drill it with an easy-out? Not sure. Good luck.

We got it out with some firm but gentle coersion. Heres a 37 sec video I posted. makes me crazy that people do things without researching first. It's a good feeling when we can diy with our coach!! Thanks for chiming in!!!https://youtu.be/y3DrszdEmD8

[be happy]

Happy things worked out

[4gone]

Might also have been the remnants of a Hott Rod or Hybrid Heat electric heating element.

[David K]

Yours appears to be an Atwood water heater ---- never use anything but, the nylon/plastic plug. If you are at a big rally and Atwood has a booth, they usually will give you a handfull (4 or 5) of them free. Always use the nylon plugs they provide as it also serves as a safety valve in addition to the pressure releaf valve --- the plastic plug will blow in a dangerous situation also.

[Rossi6998]

Nice job...

[puttin]

Good job!

[SnowVilla]

Where did the instruction not to use a brass plug in an Atwood water heater come from?
We have been RVing ( popup,fifth wheel, Class 'A's ) for more than 25 years.
Have always replaced plastic plug in Atwood heaters with brass and never had a resulting problem and they never wear out.
Just curious !

Happy RVing !

[TheArthurs]

The user manual clearly states only use the nylon plug as it is designed to fail in a dangerous over heating situation.

[youracman]

Originally Posted by TheArthurs

We got it out with some firm but gentle coersion. Heres a 37 sec video I posted. makes me crazy that people do things without researching first. It's a good feeling when we can diy with our coach!! Thanks for chiming in!!!https://youtu.be/y3DrszdEmD8

Nice work. Glad it turned out well. Thanks for taking the time to make the video and post it, BTW. Wonderful sound, that noisy gurgle. lol

Good times and safe travels............

[TheArthurs]

Lol!! Thanks and happy travels