Hot Water Heater Leak

[jnelson4490]

Hey everyone,


Well on our latest trip out over the weekend the hot water tank sprung a small but noticeable leak. I have it traced down to the top connection on the back side of the tank. Which i believe to be the hot water out side. I already tried tightening it and i feel like if i go tighter it will break the plastic connection. Also the other weird thing is it only leaks when the water heater is on and very hot. It stops leaking within 5 minutes of shutting it down. It's not a huge leak but enough for my wife to find a water puddle under the kitchen cabinet when she was getting a pan out.


So my question is this, should i take the fitting off and wrap some Teflon thread tape around the connection and hope that fixes the leak? Or should i replace the connection. The reason I ask is I remember somebody on here saying that thread tape on this plastic plumbing makes things worse. Any ideas would be appreciated. We are heading out again tomorrow and i would love to have this resolved by then. Thanks

2012 White Hawk 26SRK

[norty1]

I have had that same leak and removing the valve and adding more Teflon tape fixed it. I am sure it is a combo of movement and heat that causes those connections to loosen a little.

[BigJohnD]

We had the same leak as well on a few rigs. One, changed the fittings to brass with teflon, other one did as norty1 did. No problem.

[arkhillbilly]

My 2012 eagle t/t has the same leak. So far, I have an alum pie pan setting underneath. Have been thinking of a sure way to fix. I think the pic clamp has loosened, and I refuse to buy a pic tool. Prob will try the brass fitting.

[jnelson4490]

Thanks for all the input, I was able to get to it and put some more thread tape on the fitting. Looks like all is good so far.

[bucko]

Water under pressure will find any way to leak, and I've always found that at least two wraps of Teflon tape on threaded fittings is a must.