Hot Water Heater Anode Road

[dchrist1733]

I am trying to remove the anode rod from my water hater and was wondering what size socket I would need in order to do this. The largest I have is 15/16 and this seems a bit small. Is there a special wrench to remove this because it is very difficult to get at with all of the tubes and other items around it. I want to remove it so I can drain the tank and finish winterizing my RV

 

[huntr70]

It is over 1 inch. I think they are all 1 1/16" if I remember correctly....

 

[Long Island Happy Camper]

If you dont have the right size socket try and use a crescent adjustable wrench on it. Place a screwdriver in the handle of the wrench and twist.

 

[Steve and Cill]

1 1/16" is correct huntr70, just drained mine today after returning from a trip.

 

[dchrist1733]

Thanks everybody. I will get a socket for it. Have to drain it and then fill it again when I go camping over Thanksgiving. It is usually not this cold in Virginia. I just don't want it to freeze.

 

[GDRV Service]

Thanks everyone for the quick replies! Yes, the anode rod in a Suburban water heater is removable using a 1-1/16" thin wall socket. Here's a link to Suburban Manufacturing's Questions and Answers webpage that may also be of help: http://www.rvcomfort.com/suburban/service/water_questions.php

Just a reminder: Only Suburban water heaters feature an anode rod. Atwood water heaters do not.

Happy travels!
~ Janice

 

[dchrist1733]

Well I got the socket for the anode rod but I am unable to loosen it. I have put WD40 on it to try and loosen it if it is seized up. I do not want to put to much pressure on it for fear I might break something. Does anyone have any suggestions or has anybody else had any trouble getting their anode rod out. Would it be better to take it somewhere if it is that hard to get out. It is hard to get service unless you bought the RV there which I think is very unfair but that is the way it is.

 

[Steve and Cill]

Are you using a 1/2" drive ratchet? If so, it should have enough length to give you the leverage to break the anode rod loose. You could use a 1/2" drive torque wrench to give you more length for leverage.

 

[dchrist1733]

Yes I am using a 1/2 inch drive. I just don't want to break it off. Never had this problem before. Dealer said nothing would break it has to come out. I don't know if I fully agree with that.