Problem with Atwood water heater

[Mountainman]

Hi everyone. Last year my neighbor gave me a 2005 Jayco 1206 in mint shape. Her husband passed away several years ago and while opening it for the first time in 4 years she discovered mice had got in it and chewed holes in the canvas. Little buggers didn't spare a panel. She realized she would never use it again and thought we would want it. I bought a new canvas and the camper is mint with one small issue.

I beleive the hot water heater was previously damaged as the cover doesnt quite fit right and the gas control valve does not line up with the main burner tube. To me it looks like the control valve is tilted out too far on the bottom and is at leat a 1/2" off from the burner tube (hard to see in this picture)

The bung on the tank that the control valve is threaded into faces upwards.. Im not sure thiis is supposed to be this way. Do I need to buy a new tank? Looks like I can get one for under $250 and the install looks pretty easy.

[Mountainman]

sorry, bottom picture is upside down

[Old Blue]

Its hard to tell from pictures but with that type of water heater Ihad to clean the pilot light tube and main gas tube for spider webs every year before i could get it to light and the thermal coupler could be bad as well. with one sitting for at least 4 years you might need a RV repairman to work it over or just replace the unit and start with a one and not have to worry about it.and yes they are not that hard to replace.

[Mountainman]

Picture doesnt portray how far the control valve sticks out way past the burner tube. I am leaning on just buying a new one and putting it inmyself. This way I know I have a good working one from the start.

[Old Blue]

Yea well that might be the best then you should be trouble free for a while.

[Mountainman]

Just ordered one up from ebay. $285 shipped is not a bad price. Should have it by next weekend. Plenty of time to install before my trip in July

[Threebutchers]

Good luck installing the new HWH, friend. Welcome to the JOF!

[Mountainman]

Update on the water heater. Pulled out the old hot water heater and no wonder why the control valve wouldnt line up. The tank was spilit like a watermellon and bulged out about 4 inches. Talked to my neighbor (previous owner) and she said they only tried the water once when they first got it and it leaked like crazy and they never tried it again after that. Looks like original owners traded it in with tank damage. My neighbor said there was crap still in the toilet and cokes in the fridge when they bought it so sounds like the dealer didn't check it like they should have.

[Mountainman]

INstall was real easy. Butyl caulking is a pain in the neck though. RV store only had it in 1" strips so I had to trim excess with razor knife. On a hot day it is sticky.