Looking for help with water heater
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9737
Printed Date: 28 Jun 2025 at 2:11pm
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Topic: Looking for help with water heater
Posted By: tsherv
Subject: Looking for help with water heater
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2017 at 9:26pm
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I recently purchased a very nice 2014 R-Pod 179 that has had very little use. The seller seemed like a "straight shooter" and maintained the camper well. He told me that when he bought the camper new, he turned on the water heater before there was water in it and burned out the element. He said he took it back to the dealership and had everything replaced. During my inspection, I failed to open up the exterior hatch for the water heater. Tonight I was working on the camper (it's still winterized) and I opened the exterior hatch for the water heater, and what I saw concerned me. There was a bunch of "charred" looking flakes at the bottom of the exterior panel. There was a rusty "rod" (looks like a meat thermometer that was laying unscrewed from the bottom of the water heater tank. There was a hole in the bottom of the tank (where the rod screws into) that look very rusted. Here's my questions: 1) why would that rod be removed? 2) why would everything be so rusted? 3) What would all of the flakes be from? I took a picture but can't seem to attach it to this post. Any advice would be appreciated! |
Replies:
Posted By: JandL
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2017 at 10:26pm
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It sounds like they removed the anode rod as part of the winterization. The flakes probably came out of the water heater. You can stick a garden hose in the opening where the anode rod screws into and rinse out the tank. If the treads are rusted on the anode rod you can take a wire brush to clean them, for the treads in the tank you will need a 3/4-14 pipe tap to clean them. I wish they would go back to how pictures were posted in the past ------------- JandL 2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2017 at 10:31pm
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I think what you are seeing is the anode rod that has been removed from the bottom of the tank. It probably was removed to drain the water heater tank when it was winterized. It looks rusty because the water drained out of the tank and flowed over the bottom of the cavity and pooled there until it dried. the water in the bottom of the heater can have a lot of mineral deposits.These flakes could also be the mineral deposits from the bottom of the heater. If this is all correct, it is pretty normal. However, the fact that the previous owner told you he had burned out the element makes one question the situation. So, it is best to check out the system completely. Probably the best thing to do is clean up the rod, add some teflon tape to the threads and screw the anode rod back in to the heater. Make sure the electric switch in the heater compartment is "OFF". Make sure the winterizing vales are turned correctly to fill the heater and then fill the heater and check for leaks. You should open a hot water faucet to make sure your water heater actually has water in it. After you are sure the heater is full, then turn on the electric switch in the heater compartment and the switch inside the pod. You might need to check the main electrical panel to make sure the fuse/breaker is in place and in good shape. Remember that this is just the electric phase of the water heater--it will also work on propane, which is much quicker .Hopefully you will have hot water soon. That's my guess. Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2017 at 10:37am
| Please post a photo of the anode rod. The wise folks here can tell you whether you need to replace it or can go another season. |
Posted By: tsherv
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2017 at 12:17pm
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Thanks for all of your help. After further research I figured out that my anode rod is completely shot. The pieces I see in the water heater compartment are pieces of the rod. All that's left of the rod is a pointy stick that looks like a meat thermometer. I ordered a new rod off of Amazon last night.
Thanks again! |
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2017 at 12:55pm
| Yep, "pointy stick" means that all the magnesium is gone. It's done its job and is ready for retirement. |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2017 at 2:27pm
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Don't feel bad about your anode rod needing replacement. That's the reason they call it a sacrificial. They always look ugly when they get corroded away and always leave crud behind. Just be sure to check it from time to time so you don't corrode your water tank and end up with pin holes. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2017 at 4:17pm
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Bad Doing it's job New  ------------- |
Posted By: tsherv
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2017 at 4:19pm
| Yep...Mine look like the bad one in the picture! |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2017 at 4:57pm
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Perfect photo!
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2017 at 5:12pm
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It is - I just change them every year at winterization, I but them two at a time. End of the camping year I don't have a tank full of residue from 2 or 3 camping seasons. I start fresh. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Itinerate Pod
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2017 at 7:04pm
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Thanks for posting the comparison photo. It really illuminates for me, my lack of maintenance all of these years, as I have never looked at the anode. I am heading out right now to go check the water heater on my truck camper. ------------- Jim & Kathy Sadie, our canine companion 2017.5 RP 180 HRE 2006 Northstar Popup Truck Camper 2017 Audi Q7, 2006 Dodge 2500 4x4 Diesel |