I pulled the van out today to ready it for a specific trip. Its 10 months old. I wanted to drain the water tank and check the Anode for wear. First I lifted the relief valve at the top. No pressure at all . Soooo in undid the 1 and 1/16 hex head some hissing and a small mist of cold water. Another turn more hissing /water. another turn and Boom water and sh....t covers me the fence and the ground.
The anode blew out with such force like a water canon. When I got over the initial shock and picked up the anode rod there was bugger all left of it. We have done one twelve week trip to WA in it.
All the rubble that blew out with the water was unreel. Q. Is this normal behaviour. I then used the hose to flush out the tank, more rubble then a small black O ring about 8mm in as new condition came out.
I opened the hot taps as per instructions and refilled first both water tanks then turned on the water pump to refill the water heater, bleeding the air out of the lines at the same time. Topped up the water tanks again. all good.
When the new anode arrives. Q. Will I experience the same blast when replacing the original. I seems to me that there was a massive air compression within. As for the O ring yet another Q.
I will let the service people know what did happen.
My Anode was eaten away and after this little exercise, I will replace without fail every 12 months.
On replacing the new Anode. I will leave the hot water tank empty, till our next trip.
Is this normal in servicing your Anode.
Regards Jim
I quickly got on Flea Bay and ordered a replacement 19 smacko's.
-- Edited by Hey Jim on Thursday 17th of November 2016 03:26:01 PM
all pretty normal
but why no pressure was released when you opened the relief valve I have no idea
yes you should have pressure build up again now and what the o ring is no clue either
brian
Jim, I replaced my anode for my hot water heater in the caravan and it also had been replace about 12 months before hand, what surprise me was the amount of white rubbish that was inside of the water tank. A good flush out with the high pressure gurney and good. Best to keep a spare anode in the caravan, just in case.
Others may differ, but i would keep your water heater tank full, maybe check your anode every 6 months.
Good luck.
-- Edited by valiant81 on Thursday 17th of November 2016 05:02:00 PM
Hey Jim wrote:1.. I opened the hot taps as per instructions and refilled first both water tanks then turned on the water pump to refill the water heater, bleeding the air out of the lines at the same time. Topped up the water tanks again. all good.
2.. When the new anode arrives. Q. Will I experience the same blast when replacing the original. I seems to me that there was a massive air compression within. As for the O ring yet another Q.
1.. Should have done that before touching the anode.
2.. Not if you open a hot water tap first, see 1...
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
Hi Jim, similar experience but at least i didnt get messy. Lifted relief valve and opened tap etc. Removed anode....after only 15 months from new and probably only 8 weeks total use. Take a look at the photo to compare old vs new. I didnt have an anode at the time so I replaced the old one but did not refill or use the water system at all for one week. Then after buying a new one I removed the old one and there was a build up of pressure even though there had been no water in the hws or any use of the van and taps for a week. Maybe if you are staying home for more than a few weeks then it may pay to drain the hws!
Price yourself lucky nothing serious happened
You not the first one it happened to, and for sure not the last one
Happens to most people that check them for the first time
Peter Are you saying to turn on the hot water on both sink and shower as well, before removing the anode.My water pump was off before undoing. Yes.
Regards Jim
Jim
You only need to crack one tap open to relieve the pressure. You will still get water coming out when you remove the anode but there should be no great pressure behind it. After all there is water higher up in the cylinder than the anode hole.
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
Thanks for that. When we get the van back, I will replace the anode when it arrives in the mail. IF it does the hissing thing, I will let it hiss a lot longer.
If you do get drenched in water as I did recently, remove your phone from your wet clothing. I'm the proud owner of a new phone now. Yes I did do all the drying things that Mr. Google suggested.
When I do our (every 6 mths check) I disconnect everything (water) turn off power (you dont way the element coming on when its empty) and release the over pressure valve (open taps if thats what floats your boat).
Anode comes out, water everywhere (wait for it to cool). Then a clean out, same story as you but Im told that normal. Renew or replace anode, open taps, over pressure valve and turn on water till it spurts out of the outlets. Close down taps etc and turn on the electricity/gas.
Happy hunting
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Homebase is Murray Bridge Tourist Park (in a cabin). New Horse.. 2020 Ford Everest Titanium, Jayco swan for touring.
I,m very relieved to know that I wasn't the only one that "wore it" the first time changing anode hey. Btw ...that bloody white stuff don't taste too good either.....but I got a handle on doing the damn things now ....so all is good.
If you are traveling in WA, check the anode, water kills them over here. Lot of people get water inside van when they change the anode
Just what I was thinking Jeff! I replaced my first anode after 6 months. It had necked (not down to the carrier rod for only 15mm from the securing nut and was unused to the end so I thought I will leave it for 12 months in future. Must be water as I keep my tank full also?!?!
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Landrover Discovery 4 towing a New Age Manta Ray MR19E
If the TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) level in the water is more than about 300PPM (Parts Per Million) anode corrosion rate will be increased. Fear not though, as the anode corroding is protecting your cylinder (cathode) as it corrodes.
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