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07-26-2018, 12:43 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Palisade
Posts: 36
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Suburban water heater anode threads
Has anyone had to redo the female threads on the Suburban water heater where the anode goes. I had a hard time getting the anode rod to catch and screw in last time out but got it in. Drain everything last time we came in because we knew it would be a while before we got back out. Can’t get threads to quite catch, it almost grabs then pops out. I’m thinking the female threads in the tank are buggered. Has anyone tried to retap this and if so what size? I’m thinking it needs a 3/4” NPT tap to clean the threads and get then straight again? Thoughts on correct size?
I always use a thin lapping of Teflon tape and keep it back from front edge of the threads of the anode so it can get a bite and start in before it gets to the tape.
Thanks
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07-26-2018, 02:13 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Waco, Tx
Posts: 5,457
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If you use an actual tap be very careful not to remove metal... just screw it in far enough to clean out the old tape and rust but not metal...
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2015 Ford F350 DRW 6.7 Diesel XL
2020 Avalanche 313 RS
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07-26-2018, 02:27 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Windsor
Posts: 236
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try a brass wire brush as well. Just clean up to remove old tape/dope/crud
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07-26-2018, 03:25 PM
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#4
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Gone Traveling
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Palmyra
Posts: 62
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3/4 NPT is correct.
And you can go in just enough to remove a small amount of metal to correct the thread.
Aluminum has a tendency to gull, so make sure you use some light oil on the tap.
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07-26-2018, 04:22 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 2,907
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If he’s cleaning up threads for the anode, he is cleaning up steel threads. On an Atwood heater, that is aluminum and does not use an anode. The Suburban tank is all steel and that is where the anode is used.
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07-26-2018, 07:52 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
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Had the same problem, chased the threads & still difficult to start 1srt few threads, then I tried holding the rod with a pair of pliers & stabbing in straight in & twisting a couple threads no more problems starts 1st time every time.
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07-27-2018, 05:25 AM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,981
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Keep in mind that the threads are "tapered". I can't tell you is it's the threads in the water heater or the threads on the anode rod fitting, but they are not "level and even"... The anode rod will only thread into the fitting 4 or 5 turns before it "tightens and won't turn"....
IF (again, I don't know which part or if both are tapered) you run a tap through the fitting, you may run into problems with leakage, assuming that the fitting is tapered rather than the anode shoulder threads.
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John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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07-27-2018, 08:16 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Waco, Tx
Posts: 5,457
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JRTJH
Keep in mind that the threads are "tapered". I can't tell you is it's the threads in the water heater or the threads on the anode rod fitting, but they are not "level and even"... The anode rod will only thread into the fitting 4 or 5 turns before it "tightens and won't turn"....
IF (again, I don't know which part or if both are tapered) you run a tap through the fitting, you may run into problems with leakage, assuming that the fitting is tapered rather than the anode shoulder threads.
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Both are threaded NPT... which is tapered..
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2015 Ford F350 DRW 6.7 Diesel XL
2020 Avalanche 313 RS
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07-27-2018, 12:11 PM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Venice
Posts: 5,346
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The weight of the anode tends to pull down and cause an uneven start. A wire brush made for cleaning 3/4" copper pipe fittings works the best for cleaning the female threads of the heater and once clean you should see if they are buggered and the threads need to be chased. Insert the rod and press tightly in place with your left thumb, you should feel the rod tip up, start the threads with your right hand while still maintaining pressure with your left. ( you can get the same effect with a tight six sided deep socket to tip the anode up while turning without ratchet attached. ) If you're a lefty, I guess you can reverse the position of your hand and thumb. JM2¢, Hank
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