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Easiest way? [message #309258] Mon, 24 October 2016 08:47 Go to next message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
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My water heater has expired. Either the reset has popped or the element is FUBAR. What's the least worst way to get at the water heater in a 76 Eleganza II with a side wet bath? The lower cabinet in the shower opens on the right and you can see the heater, but there isn't room to reach around beside it and get to the reset on the top (left side as it's mounted) behind/beneath the overflow valve.
The coach has a full size bed built above the original twin/settee rear setup which pretty much precludes taking the wall behind the bath module loose without tearing out the bed frame and fittings. Any help or suggestions will be appreciated.

--johnny


Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
Re: Easiest way? [message #309260 is a reply to message #309258] Mon, 24 October 2016 08:52 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jknezek is currently offline  jknezek   United States
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You can get it out through the cabinet according to Jim Bounds. Might want to give him a call. I tried it but never figured it out and ended up taking the back wall off for both removal and reinstall. PITA job either way.

Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
Re: [GMCnet] Easiest way? [message #309261 is a reply to message #309258] Mon, 24 October 2016 08:52 Go to previous messageGo to next message
George Zhookoff is currently offline  George Zhookoff   
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Johnny,
I had to take out the rear wall to access my water heater. Overhead cabinet, rear davo, rear davo and water tank support structure.
Let me know if I can give you a hand.
Georfge

-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Johnny Bridges via Gmclist
Sent: Monday, October 24, 2016 9:48 AM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Cc: Johnny Bridges
Subject: [GMCnet] Easiest way?

My water heater has expired. Either the reset has popped or the element is FUBAR. What's the least worst way to get at the water heater in a 76 Eleganza II with a side wet bath? The lower cabinet in the shower opens on the right and you can see the heater, but there isn't room to reach around beside it and get to the reset on the top (left side as it's mounted) behind/beneath the overflow valve.
The coach has a full size bed built above the original twin/settee rear setup which pretty much precludes taking the wall behind the bath module loose
without tearing out the bed frame and fittings. Any help or suggestions will be appreciated.

--johnny
--
'76 23' transmode Norris upfit, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.

"Sometimes I wonder what tomorrow's gonna bring when I think about my dirty life and times" --Warren Zevon

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Re: Easiest way? [message #309262 is a reply to message #309258] Mon, 24 October 2016 09:14 Go to previous messageGo to next message
JohnS is currently offline  JohnS   United States
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It will come out thru the bathroom. Remove the trim which holds the sliding doors and TP holder. It is tight but I did it on my 77 which should be the same. Also look at http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=4266. Sorry I do not know how to make that a link.

John Shutzbaugh, Vacaville, CA, ncserv@aol.com; 78 Buskirk stretch, "What were we thinking?"
Re: Easiest way? [message #309265 is a reply to message #309258] Mon, 24 October 2016 09:22 Go to previous messageGo to next message
lqqkatjon is currently offline  lqqkatjon   United States
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not sure if yours has the square one that is the same as my 75 palm beach, or the round one with the blue plate that I have been working with a friend locally right now to change out. waiting on the stainless tank to show at my doorstep probably today.


the TP holder comes out easy, you can remove that and work on the front of the waterheater.

the round one that we are changing out right now, was rusty, and the bolts holding it down were rusty. there was a precision cut done in the bathroom to rear wall, in order to access the rear bolts. Just as JohnS posted.




Jon Roche 75 palm beach EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now. St. Cloud, MN http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
Re: [GMCnet] Easiest way? [message #309271 is a reply to message #309258] Mon, 24 October 2016 09:41 Go to previous messageGo to next message
bdub is currently offline  bdub   United States
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Location: Central Texas
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http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g4266-hot-water-heater-removal.html



-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist On Behalf Of Johnny Bridges via Gmclist
Sent: Monday, October 24, 2016 8:48 AM

My water heater has expired. Either the reset has popped or the element is
FUBAR. What's the least worst way to get at the water heater in a 76 Eleganza
II with a side wet bath? The lower cabinet in the shower opens on the right and
you can see the heater, but there isn't room to reach around beside it and get
to the reset on the top (left side as it's mounted) behind/beneath the overflow
valve.
The coach has a full size bed built above the original twin/settee rear setup
which pretty much precludes taking the wall behind the bath module loose
without tearing out the bed frame and fittings. Any help or suggestions will
be appreciated.



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bdub
'76 Palm Beach/Central Texas
www.bdub.net
www.gmcmhphotos.com
www.gmcmotorhomemarketplace.com
www.gmcmhregistry.com
www.facebook.com/groups/classicgmcmotorhomes
www.facebook.com/groups/gmcmm
Re: Easiest way? [message #309280 is a reply to message #309258] Mon, 24 October 2016 10:52 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
Senior Member
Thanks guys! I'll seef I can't get the stationery holder and stuff out and make bDub's access port for the back bolt. It's a round one. If I can get the trim under the sink out, I probably can get at the element, 'stat, and switches.

--johnny


Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
Re: [GMCnet] Easiest way? [message #309319 is a reply to message #309258] Mon, 24 October 2016 17:14 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Brian Waddell is currently offline  Brian Waddell   United States
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inside the bath there is sliding doors....there is a frame that holds the doors and ass wipe....remove that frame...a few screws....beian 77 ele near winnipeg


________________________________
From: Gmclist on behalf of Johnny Bridges via Gmclist
Sent: October 24, 2016 7:47 AM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Cc: Johnny Bridges
Subject: [GMCnet] Easiest way?

My water heater has expired. Either the reset has popped or the element is FUBAR. What's the least worst way to get at the water heater in a 76
Eleganza II with a side wet bath? The lower cabinet in the shower opens on the right and you can see the heater, but there isn't room to reach around
beside it and get to the reset on the top (left side as it's mounted) behind/beneath the overflow valve.
The coach has a full size bed built above the original twin/settee rear setup which pretty much precludes taking the wall behind the bath module loose
without tearing out the bed frame and fittings. Any help or suggestions will be appreciated.

--johnny
--
'76 23' transmode Norris upfit, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.

"Sometimes I wonder what tomorrow's gonna bring when I think about my dirty life and times" --Warren Zevon

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Re: Easiest way? [message #309333 is a reply to message #309258] Mon, 24 October 2016 20:05 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Scott Nutter is currently offline  Scott Nutter   United States
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Johnny,
What are you gonna replace your old water heater with? If a tankless, you will have to cut out a access hole in the side of your coach and frame it in.
I have a tankless in mine and I will never go back to the old system.
The only reason I bring this up is that if you did cut a access port it might be very easy to take out your old heater, and access the other areas you need to get at, and replace with a more modern one of your choice, but via the cutout.
Scott


Scott Nutter 1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, Dave Lenzi super duty mid axle disc brakes, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera installed MSD Atomic EFI Houston, Texas
Re: [GMCnet] Easiest way? [message #309343 is a reply to message #309333] Mon, 24 October 2016 21:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
sgltrac is currently offline  sgltrac   United States
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Scott, you have pics of your tankless mod?

Sully
77 eleganza 2
Seattle

On Monday, October 24, 2016, Scott Nutter wrote:

> Johnny,
> What are you gonna replace your old water heater with? If a tankless, you
> will have to cut out a access hole in the side of your coach and frame it
> in.
> I have a tankless in mine and I will never go back to the old system.
> The only reason I bring this up is that if you did cut a access port it
> might be very easy to take out your old heater, and access the other areas
> you
> need to get at, and replace with a more modern one of your choice, but via
> the cutout.
> Scott
> --
> Scott Nutter
> 1978 455 Royale Center Kitchen, Quad bags.
> Houston, Texas
>
> _______________________________________________
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Sully 77 Royale basket case. Future motorhome land speed record holder(bucket list) Seattle, Wa.
Re: Easiest way? [message #309344 is a reply to message #309258] Mon, 24 October 2016 22:01 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Burton is currently offline  Ken Burton   United States
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What am I missing here? You do not need to remove the water tank to replace the heating element or the heating element thermostat on a GM fitted side wet bath coach.



Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
Re: Easiest way? [message #309356 is a reply to message #309344] Tue, 25 October 2016 07:43 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jknezek is currently offline  jknezek   United States
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Ken Burton wrote on Mon, 24 October 2016 23:01
What am I missing here? You do not need to remove the water tank to replace the heating element or the heating element thermostat on a GM fitted side wet bath coach.




Good point Ken. I misread the original post as he was taking the unit out! If you just want to replace the elements Ken is 100% correct that you can get at them quite easily from the cabinet. I didn't know there was a reset button on top, but I'd imagine if it's there you could use a paint stirring stick to try and get at it.


Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
Re: Easiest way? [message #309364 is a reply to message #309258] Tue, 25 October 2016 08:38 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
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Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
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I got a good set of pictures in email from a GMCer who's 'been there, dome that'. If I can make my opening in the cabinet match his'n, I'm Fat City. Either there's a removable panel in there, or Sawzall City is going to make one.

Thanks folks!

--johnny


Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
Re: Easiest way? [message #309383 is a reply to message #309258] Tue, 25 October 2016 10:34 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Scott Nutter is currently offline  Scott Nutter   United States
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Sully,

I do have pictures, but for some reason they won't post to the forum.
But I would be happy to email to who ever would be interested.
Scott


Scott Nutter 1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, Dave Lenzi super duty mid axle disc brakes, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera installed MSD Atomic EFI Houston, Texas
Re: Easiest way? [message #309392 is a reply to message #309383] Tue, 25 October 2016 11:38 Go to previous messageGo to next message
A Hamilto is currently offline  A Hamilto   United States
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Scott Nutter wrote on Tue, 25 October 2016 10:34
Sully,
I do have pictures, but for some reason they won't post to the forum.
But I would be happy to email to who ever would be interested.

Scott
You don't post to the forum directly. You upload to the photo site where they will be available to subsequent generations of GMCers. If you want to imbed them in a post, you link the URL of the picture in your post.

Read the first thread of the forum. It is a sticky so it stays at the top of the forum, and it is instructions for posting pictures.

Pictures don't have to be uploaded to the photo site to be used, they can be anywhere on the WWW. But if it has value to the GMC community, the best place for it is the photo site where it won't be obliterated from the server at the whim of an administrator looking for more storage space.
Re: Easiest way? [message #309404 is a reply to message #309258] Tue, 25 October 2016 14:48 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
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Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
Senior Member
So, what I done was, followed Bob Burkett's pictures and hauled the element out. Stuck a piece of tin under the tank so the spillage ran into the shower and down the drain. It was interesting, the element had pinholed from corrosion over the years, and when it got full of water and I turned it on, the water turned to more steam than the pinhole could handle and it exploded outward in a slit. 12 bux to Gainesville Mobile Home Parts and I got hot water. Leak testing the seal under pressure to make sure it doesn't ooze right now. If it's still dry in the morning I'll reassemble.

--johnny


Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
Re: [GMCnet] Easiest way? [message #309431 is a reply to message #309383] Tue, 25 October 2016 22:19 Go to previous messageGo to next message
sgltrac is currently offline  sgltrac   United States
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I'd like to see them Scott. Have the feeling I will be removing mine in the
not too distant future.

On Tuesday, October 25, 2016, Scott Nutter wrote:

> Sully,
>
> I do have pictures, but for some reason they won't post to the forum.
> But I would be happy to email to who ever would be interested.
> Scott
> --
> Scott Nutter
> 1978 455 Royale Center Kitchen, Quad bags.
> Houston, Texas
>
> _______________________________________________
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Sully 77 Royale basket case. Future motorhome land speed record holder(bucket list) Seattle, Wa.
Re: Easiest way? [message #309446 is a reply to message #309258] Wed, 26 October 2016 09:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Scott Nutter is currently offline  Scott Nutter   United States
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Senior Member
I'm at a rally in Rusk Tx now. Maybe billy Massey can show me how to post pictures to the forum.

Scott Nutter 1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, Dave Lenzi super duty mid axle disc brakes, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera installed MSD Atomic EFI Houston, Texas
Re: Easiest way? [message #309456 is a reply to message #309446] Wed, 26 October 2016 11:20 Go to previous messageGo to next message
A Hamilto is currently offline  A Hamilto   United States
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Scott Nutter wrote on Wed, 26 October 2016 09:47
I'm at a rally in Rusk Tx now. Maybe billy Massey can show me how to post pictures to the forum.
I already told you, a few posts earlier.

http://gmc.mybirdfeeder.net/GMCforum/index.php?t=msg&goto=309392&rid=2083&srch=forum+directly#msg_309392

Some people need help figuring out how to store them on the photo site ( http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/ ), but there are instructions if you want to try it out.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/help.html
Re: [GMCnet] Easiest way? [message #309460 is a reply to message #309446] Wed, 26 October 2016 16:25 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
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Location: Sydney, Australia
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Senior Member
G'day,

To upload pictures on the GMC Photo Site you will have to register first.

Click here: http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/register.php

When you fill in your Username keep in mind that if you choose something unique and not your name people will have difficulty
finding photos you upload.

When I first registered I used relleumt which is my name backwards, sort of. I got so frustrated trying to find pictures other
GMCer's had posted I decided to change it to Mueller R.

I do now worry about Interpol finding me so I am careful what photos I post! ;-)

Once you're registered you can click on the link below and follow J Harpers step by step procedure which will walk you through how
to upload photos:

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=4782

Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426

-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Scott Nutter
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2016 1:47 AM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Easiest way?

I'm at a rally in Rusk Tx now. Maybe billy Massey can show me how to post pictures to the forum.
--
Scott Nutter
1978 455 Royale Center Kitchen, Quad bags.
Houston, Texas

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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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