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11-13-2016, 10:33 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Villa Rica GA
Posts: 105
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Weird water heater issue
Was trying to rinse out Atwood water heater with one of those plastic wands and it all of the sudden snapped off at the base and is now inside my water heater. Can't see it or feel it and not sure what to do. Don't know if it would hurt to just leave it in.
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Thomas and Becky
2016 Bullet 269RLS
2010 GMC Sierra 5.3
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11-13-2016, 10:43 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Venice
Posts: 5,346
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Re: Weird water heater issue
If it were me, I would leave it. Even if it melted on the element (not likely) the only damage it would do is possibly make it difficult to change the element in the future. Chances are it will just remain in there and not do anything. JM2¢, Hank
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Hank & Lynn
2007 Cougar 290RKS, E-Z Flex, 16" XPS RIBs ( SOLD .. Gonna miss her ... looking for new 5r)
2004.5 Dodge 2500 QC, LB, 5.9HO, WestTach gauges, Ride-Rite
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11-13-2016, 04:37 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Solomons
Posts: 3,874
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Re: Weird water heater issue
Did you refill it with water and see if it would flush it out? Be prepared to get wet.
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Tom
2019 Alpine 3651RL
2016 F350 CC DRW
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11-13-2016, 05:39 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Villa Rica GA
Posts: 105
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Re: Weird water heater issue
I didn't fill it all the way. I stuck my finger in the hole and let it fill some and I couldn't get it to come out. How are these made? It seems like there is a drop off on the inside. How do they drain all the water if it drops off. Also is the heating element at the bottom of the tank? Not sure if it's safe to leave in there
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Thomas and Becky
2016 Bullet 269RLS
2010 GMC Sierra 5.3
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11-13-2016, 05:46 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: colorado
Posts: 209
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Re: Weird water heater issue
Is the broken piece small enough to get sucked into a water line and cause more issues?
As mentioned above I would at least try to flush it out.
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2007.5 Silverado 3500 HD,DRW, LTZ red, afe II airbox w/ torque tube, transferflow 56 gal replacement tank,
banks speed brake, transgo jr shiftkit, aux trans cooler, b&w companion hitch.
2010 Fuzion FZ 302 has 12ply F-loads, Dexter ez-flex w/ wet bolts, 6 volt Deka GC 15 batteries, 1 gen battery, solarpanels, leds inside, replaced clear textured door glass with tinted, 87 gallons of loc-tite.
Decals removed.
AKA CONFUZION / PORH HONKY.
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11-13-2016, 05:51 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Winnipeg, Canada
Posts: 1,196
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Re: Weird water heater issue
If an Atwood, it is shaped like this (cross section): http://bryantrv.com/images/whtank2.png
The tank looks like this (pictures shows it on end, not laying with the axis of the cylinder horizontal as it is as installed): https://www.amazon.com/Atwood-91412-.../dp/B0007WU0HY
The 120Vac heating element is mounted mid height of the tank (scroll down to just before the part list): http://beamalarm.com/Documents/atwoo...eshooting.html
My guess is that with the wand piece at the bottom of the tank, the heating element mid height and the hot water outlet at the top, the risks of leaving the piece in the tank is negligible. But I would try flushing it out for peace of mind.
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2018 Jayco Eagle HT 265BHS (previous: 2015 23RB Passport Elite, ProPride)
2015 F250 XLT SB Crew, 6.2l gas
PullRite 16K SuperGlide w/SuperRail
Reese 5th Airborne (bagged) Pin Box
RoadMaster Shock Kit
X-Factor Cross Bracing
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11-13-2016, 06:09 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: nm
Posts: 1,833
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Re: Weird water heater issue
Quote:
Originally Posted by silverbullet18
Was trying to rinse out Atwood water heater with one of those plastic wands and it all of the sudden snapped off at the base and is now inside my water heater. Can't see it or feel it and not sure what to do. Don't know if it would hurt to just leave it in.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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I use 3/4 clear rubber hose with a grommet and taped to one of my wet dry vacs extensions to clean my water heater. I would try the sucking method mention in another reply. I know with water in the heater will pressure up to what ever the pump puts out remove the plug be prepared for a socking.
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2018 1 ton 4x4 c.c standard bed GMC Denali
Anderson ultimate hitch
2015 311 Impact Fusion toy hauler
2018 Milwaukee 8 FLRTU roadglide glide ultra
2018 800 Z force spot BUGGY.
500 watts of solar enough power for boon docking.
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11-13-2016, 06:32 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Villa Rica GA
Posts: 105
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Re: Weird water heater issue
The entire plastic piece of this pic is what broke off.
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Thomas and Becky
2016 Bullet 269RLS
2010 GMC Sierra 5.3
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11-13-2016, 07:04 PM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,995
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Re: Weird water heater issue
I would be inclined to just leave it in the heater and not be concerned. If, however, you are not so inclined, you might consider taking a 24" piece of solid copper wire (a ground wire from some 12 ga Romex, for example) and form it into a hook. Use that to try fishing the plastic up to the drain hole and then use some needle nose pliers to grip it. Wrap the copper wire around the plastic so it will be more secure and then slide the plastic toward one end or the other. Once you're near the end, you should be able to turn it while gripping with the needle nose pliers and then pull it out. It's going to be a "very TEDIOUS" undertaking, so rather then kneeling on the ground, you might as well make yourself comfortable by finding an appropriate height stool or chair. Good Luck !!!!!
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John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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11-13-2016, 07:22 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,337
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Re: Weird water heater issue
I used a flexible shaft camera when I cleaned my previous fifth wheel. Maybe borrow one and take a look. I use it a lot to look into engine cylinders and such. Harbor freight has a cheap one if you want to go that route.
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2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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