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| [GMCnet] Winterizing Fail! [message #274752] |
Wed, 01 April 2015 18:27  |
Daniel DeLuca
Messages: 120
Registered: June 2014
Karma: 0
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Well, with slightly warmer weather here I decide to tinker with some of my coaches systems today. I flipped on the water pump and noticed that the pump continued to cycle even with all faucets off. After some poking around I found that the water was leaking from the hot water heater. I removed some of the insulation and it seems to be coming from somewhere on the back of the hot water heater. Looks like I messed this one up. I can not find the exact source of the leak, but it looks like a new tank is in my future. No chance there is a freeze plug back there? What are my options for a new tank on a 78? I see JimK has one. Are there any other venders that sell tanks that fit, love ordering from Jim, but it takes forever for ground shipping from California to NJ. Also, while I am on plumbing, is their anything special about the kitchen faucet or can I get a new one from a home improvement shop.
Dan
78 Eleganza
Central NJ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Winterizing Fail! [message #274758 is a reply to message #274752] |
Wed, 01 April 2015 20:05  |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Dan,
There are no "freeze plugs" it also my be that the tank failed due to corrosion, so you may just lose that confirmed kill. If the tank split due to freezing, it might be weldable.
The galley tap is just a plain close spaced kitchen tap.
You might want to take that person that would use it most along to shop.
We are on out third. The original needed major work (salvage was not economic), the second didn't have any rinser as Mary was afraid she might waste potable water. She has since figured out that was a mid-step. The new one has the rinse in the main. Be sure what ever you buy is tall enough to get a pot under it.
Matt
Daniel DeLuca wrote on Wed, 01 April 2015 19:27Well, with slightly warmer weather here I decide to tinker with some of my coaches systems today. I flipped on the water pump and noticed that the pump continued to cycle even with all faucets off. After some poking around I found that the water was leaking from the hot water heater. I removed some of the insulation and it seems to be coming from somewhere on the back of the hot water heater. Looks like I messed this one up. I can not find the exact source of the leak, but it looks like a new tank is in my future. No chance there is a freeze plug back there? What are my options for a new tank on a 78? I see JimK has one. Are there any other venders that sell tanks that fit, love ordering from Jim, but it takes forever for ground shipping from California to NJ. Also, while I am on plumbing, is their anything special about the kitchen faucet or can I get a new one from a home improvement shop.
Dan
78 Eleganza
Central NJ
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: [GMCnet] Winterizing Fail! [message #274760 is a reply to message #274752] |
Wed, 01 April 2015 20:45 |
emerystora
Messages: 4442
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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There is no freez plug in it. Didn't you drain the tank as part of the winterizing?
There should have been no water in it to freeze.
Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO
> On Apr 1, 2015, at 5:27 PM, Daniel DeLuca wrote:
>
> Well, with slightly warmer weather here I decide to tinker with some of my coaches systems today. I flipped on the water pump and noticed that the pump continued to cycle even with all faucets off. After some poking around I found that the water was leaking from the hot water heater. I removed some of the insulation and it seems to be coming from somewhere on the back of the hot water heater. Looks like I messed this one up. I can not find the exact source of the leak, but it looks like a new tank is in my future. No chance there is a freeze plug back there? What are my options for a new tank on a 78? I see JimK has one. Are there any other venders that sell tanks that fit, love ordering from Jim, but it takes forever for ground shipping from California to NJ. Also, while I am on plumbing, is their anything special about the kitchen faucet or can I get a new one from a home improvement shop.
>
> Dan
> 78 Eleganza
> Central NJ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Winterizing Fail! [message #274761 is a reply to message #274758] |
Wed, 01 April 2015 20:57 |
powwerjon
Messages: 849
Registered: March 2013
Karma: -2
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Senior Member |
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The Tanks are not weldable as they are galvanize on the outside and the interior is probably corroded. You got a lot of years out of the original tank and it is time to replace it. You only want to take it out ONCE and replace the tank. There are several good photo albums on replacing the tank and rebuilding the entire HW heater. I cannot fine them at this time so maybe someone else will post the link.
J.R. Wright
30' Buskirk Stretch
Michigan
On Location in Tucson
> On Apr 1, 2015, at 6:05 PM, Matt Colie wrote:
>
> Dan,
>
> There are no "freeze plugs" it also my be that the tank failed due to corrosion, so you may just lose that confirmed kill. If the tank split due to
> freezing, it might be weldable.
>
> The galley tap is just a plain close spaced kitchen tap.
> You might want to take that person that would use it most along to shop.
> We are on out third. The original needed major work (salvage was not economic), the second didn't have any rinser as Mary was afraid she might waste
> potable water. She has since figured out that was a mid-step. The new one has the rinse in the main. Be sure what ever you buy is tall enough to
> get a pot under it.
>
> Matt
>
>
> Daniel DeLuca wrote on Wed, 01 April 2015 19:27
>> Well, with slightly warmer weather here I decide to tinker with some of my coaches systems today. I flipped on the water pump and noticed that
>> the pump continued to cycle even with all faucets off. After some poking around I found that the water was leaking from the hot water heater. I
>> removed some of the insulation and it seems to be coming from somewhere on the back of the hot water heater. Looks like I messed this one up. I
>> can not find the exact source of the leak, but it looks like a new tank is in my future. No chance there is a freeze plug back there? What are my
>> options for a new tank on a 78? I see JimK has one. Are there any other venders that sell tanks that fit, love ordering from Jim, but it takes
>> forever for ground shipping from California to NJ. Also, while I am on plumbing, is their anything special about the kitchen faucet or can I get a
>> new one from a home improvement shop.
>>
>> Dan
>> 78 Eleganza
>> Central NJ
>
>
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie - Members GMCMI, GMCES
> '73 Glacier 23 - Still Loving OE Rear Drum Brake with Applied Control Arms
> SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: [GMCnet] Winterizing Fail! [message #274762 is a reply to message #274761] |
Wed, 01 April 2015 21:05 |
Daniel DeLuca
Messages: 120
Registered: June 2014
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Thanks I had held out a small hope I could weld it. The truth is I could not turn the drain valve to empty it. I never could get much leverage on it. I had hoped by running gallons of pink stuff through there it would be okay for the winter. Stupid mistake, but I suppose there are worse things then replacing a 40 year old tank. I have found a few helpful albums. Looks like an annoying but manageable job.
Dan
Sent from my iPhone
> On Apr 1, 2015, at 9:57 PM, John Wright wrote:
>
> The Tanks are not weldable as they are galvanize on the outside and the interior is probably corroded. You got a lot of years out of the original tank and it is time to replace it. You only want to take it out ONCE and replace the tank. There are several good photo albums on replacing the tank and rebuilding the entire HW heater. I cannot fine them at this time so maybe someone else will post the link.
>
> J.R. Wright
> 30' Buskirk Stretch
> Michigan
> On Location in Tucson
>
>> On Apr 1, 2015, at 6:05 PM, Matt Colie wrote:
>>
>> Dan,
>>
>> There are no "freeze plugs" it also my be that the tank failed due to corrosion, so you may just lose that confirmed kill. If the tank split due to
>> freezing, it might be weldable.
>>
>> The galley tap is just a plain close spaced kitchen tap.
>> You might want to take that person that would use it most along to shop.
>> We are on out third. The original needed major work (salvage was not economic), the second didn't have any rinser as Mary was afraid she might waste
>> potable water. She has since figured out that was a mid-step. The new one has the rinse in the main. Be sure what ever you buy is tall enough to
>> get a pot under it.
>>
>> Matt
>>
>>
>> Daniel DeLuca wrote on Wed, 01 April 2015 19:27
>>> Well, with slightly warmer weather here I decide to tinker with some of my coaches systems today. I flipped on the water pump and noticed that
>>> the pump continued to cycle even with all faucets off. After some poking around I found that the water was leaking from the hot water heater. I
>>> removed some of the insulation and it seems to be coming from somewhere on the back of the hot water heater. Looks like I messed this one up. I
>>> can not find the exact source of the leak, but it looks like a new tank is in my future. No chance there is a freeze plug back there? What are my
>>> options for a new tank on a 78? I see JimK has one. Are there any other venders that sell tanks that fit, love ordering from Jim, but it takes
>>> forever for ground shipping from California to NJ. Also, while I am on plumbing, is their anything special about the kitchen faucet or can I get a
>>> new one from a home improvement shop.
>>>
>>> Dan
>>> 78 Eleganza
>>> Central NJ
>>
>>
>> --
>> Matt & Mary Colie - Members GMCMI, GMCES
>> '73 Glacier 23 - Still Loving OE Rear Drum Brake with Applied Control Arms
>> SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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| Re: [GMCnet] Winterizing Fail! [message #274768 is a reply to message #274762] |
Wed, 01 April 2015 22:26 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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""Thanks I had held out a small hope I could weld it. The truth is I could not turn the drain valve to empty it. I never could get much leverage on it. I had hoped by running gallons of pink stuff through there it would be okay for the winter. Stupid mistake, but I suppose there are worse things then replacing a 40 year old tank. I have found a few helpful albums. Looks like an annoying but manageable job.
Dan
Sent from my iPhone""
Dan, I wouldn't feel too guilty. Normally running lots of pink stuff through the system is very effective. I think you have experienced the end of the unit's life like almost all of us have no matter how well we tried.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Winterizing Fail! [message #274837 is a reply to message #274834] |
Thu, 02 April 2015 17:57 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Daniel DeLuca wrote on Thu, 02 April 2015 16:43I think the 77's and 78's have round heaters. I don't know about Larry but mine had a drain plug that was essentially inaccessible with my largish hands. Next year I'll get at it even if I have to take out the cabinet.
Larry I'm going to take it out this weekend and see what I am dealing with. I'll let you know.
Dan.
Sent from my iPhone
> On Apr 2, 2015, at 6:32 PM, Robert Mueller wrote:
>
> Larry,
>
> I'm a bit confused by this; the tank in the box shaped unit in Double Trouble and The Blue Streak have a drain that when opened
> lowers the level of the water in the tank to a level above the heating element but below the 1/2 full level. If someone
> inadvertently turns the drained heater on it does not fry the heating element and if it freezes the ice can easily expand upwards
> and do no damage.
>
> Regards,
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Larry
>
> Well, I took my split open water heater tank to my local garage and got it welded. (Amazing what "hard water" will do to these
> things.) Worked just fine until I froze it solid again, and ended up replacing just the tank. I do have a extra tank for the
> original 78' Royale water heater. If you can wait until the end of April when we get home, I'd sell it to you for say $30 plus
> shipping. Only down side is that it does not have the engine heater. The tank is from a propane/engine heater style water heater.
> PM me if you are interested.
> --
> Larry
>
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Yes--the late coaches have round tanks with the drain at the very bottom that is virtually inaccessible. If you can get to it you most likely will find it frozen shut. Luckily those are issues I no longer have to worry about.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Winterizing Fail! [message #274891 is a reply to message #274834] |
Fri, 03 April 2015 13:35 |
Daniel DeLuca
Messages: 120
Registered: June 2014
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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It turns out that the leak came from about an 1/8" rust hole in the old tank. My poor wintering technique could not have helped, but probably was the tanks time. Ordering a fancy stainless one from Applied.
Dan
Sent from my iPhone
> On Apr 2, 2015, at 6:43 PM, Daniel DeLuca wrote:
>
> I think the 77's and 78's have round heaters. I don't know about Larry but mine had a drain plug that was essentially inaccessible with my largish hands. Next year I'll get at it even if I have to take out the cabinet.
>
> Larry I'm going to take it out this weekend and see what I am dealing with. I'll let you know.
>
> Dan.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Apr 2, 2015, at 6:32 PM, Robert Mueller wrote:
>>
>> Larry,
>>
>> I'm a bit confused by this; the tank in the box shaped unit in Double Trouble and The Blue Streak have a drain that when opened
>> lowers the level of the water in the tank to a level above the heating element but below the 1/2 full level. If someone
>> inadvertently turns the drained heater on it does not fry the heating element and if it freezes the ice can easily expand upwards
>> and do no damage.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Larry
>>
>> Well, I took my split open water heater tank to my local garage and got it welded. (Amazing what "hard water" will do to these
>> things.) Worked just fine until I froze it solid again, and ended up replacing just the tank. I do have a extra tank for the
>> original 78' Royale water heater. If you can wait until the end of April when we get home, I'd sell it to you for say $30 plus
>> shipping. Only down side is that it does not have the engine heater. The tank is from a propane/engine heater style water heater.
>> PM me if you are interested.
>> --
>> Larry
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: [GMCnet] Winterizing Fail! [message #274944 is a reply to message #274942] |
Fri, 03 April 2015 19:17 |
Larry
Messages: 2875
Registered: January 2004
Location: Menomonie, WI
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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USAussie wrote on Fri, 03 April 2015 18:52Larry,
Got it!
You're right the guy that fixed that tank did a great job!
I assume that the drain is the radiator type valve; no wonder it's a bitch to drain it!
What do the large ports connect to?
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: Larry
Ah...It was my FIRST winterizing. Thought I had drained the tank. Then came spring and a very wet floor. See this.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g4193-water-heater-repair.html
The Second time I was at Steve F's place and left the coach there for a week. It went to 4* two nights in a row and split it again.
That time I was able to buy just a tank from a local RV Dealer. Then about a year later the electronics went bad, so I just put a
new water heater in.
--
Larry
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It is a propane heater, so the big "ports" are where the hot propane air goes to heat the water.
Larry 
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
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