Water Heater Warning!!

Route 66 Traveler · 09-23-2019, 03:20 PM

DO NOT USE the Camco Water Heater Tank Rinser to flush out your water heater.

Today I was using mine and the 13" plastic tube blew off and went completely inside my water heater. There is just a plastic barb that holds the tube to the hose connection. It will be in there from now until eternity because I don't see any way to remove it. I just hope it doesn't block the outgoing hot water, then I will probably have to replace the water heater. Not a Happy Camper right now.....

https://www.campingworld.com/water-h...yAAEgJLGfD_BwE

**norty1** · 09-23-2019, 03:22 PM

I'll bet you can fish it out if you are a fisherman!

Route 66 Traveler · 09-23-2019, 03:26 PM

Maybe...if I could see it. I tried turning on the pump and fill it with a little water, but the water coming out blocks the view. The drain hole is pointed down at almost a 45 degree angle so there isn't a good viewing angle.

The one I used years ago had a brass tube soldered to the hose connection, but obviously the switch was made to plastic to save money.

Thanks for the suggestion....and I do love to fish!

Grumpy · 09-23-2019, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Route 66 Traveler

The one I used years ago had a brass tube soldered to the hose connection, but obviously the switch was made to plastic to save money.

Buy one of these and make your own. HD and Lowes has them too.

https://www.amazon.com/LASCO-17-8381...9274940&sr=8-1

THE MEEKER · 09-23-2019, 03:54 PM

Well, since you like to fish, here is a suggestion:

Do you have a fish hook extractor in your tackle box, longer the better. You may be able to grab the tube and pull it out.

Here is what I'm talking about:

https://www.fishusa.com/Berkley-Stai...yABEgK27vD_BwE

TCNashville · 09-23-2019, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Route 66 Traveler

DO NOT USE the Camco Water Heater Tank Rinser to flush out your water heater.

Thx for the warning. I'll put a zip tie or a small hose clamp on mine.

Route 66 Traveler · 09-23-2019, 04:08 PM

I do have a hook extractor, might be worth a try.

My other worry is the electric heating element. It will surely melt the plastic if it comes in contact with the plastic tube. The element is mounted horizontal on the back of the heater and may have a bigger hole compared to the drain plug, but it is very inaccessable from inside the trailer.

Grumpy · 09-23-2019, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Route 66 Traveler

I do have a hook extractor, might be worth a try.

It may flush out if you make or buy another "flushing tool" too.

oldmanAZ · 09-23-2019, 04:17 PM

The outlet tube is open on the end and 'shouldn't' be under pressure to blow off the fixture, unless it somehow got bent enough to shut off the flow.

I'll give the outlet tube a sharp pull on mine and see what happens - better safe than sorry.

Thanks for letting us know.

RogerR · 09-23-2019, 04:24 PM

go to any automotive store and get a grabber. It is bendy and and you can fish around. Careful, some are glass lined to don't get to hard on the inside.

You might also try flooding with water and see if it floats into view.

**JFlightRisk** · 09-23-2019, 04:27 PM

If you feel lucky, a 24" flexible pickle picker tool, available at the big box stores, might be able to grab it. And an inspection camera may help show where it is in the tank.

Roger beat me to it.

Route 66 Traveler · 09-23-2019, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldmanAZ

The outlet tube is open on the end and 'shouldn't' be under pressure to blow off the fixture, unless it somehow got bent enough to shut off the flow.

It was connected to my garden hose, with the house valve open almost all the way...lots of pressure. Obviously too much!

I will try your suggestions tomorrow when I have calmed down a bit..

My main worry is the heating element. Will the tube float or sink? It will probably move around quite a bit when the water is running.

AKRUEBBE · 09-23-2019, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Route 66 Traveler

It was connected to my garden hose, with the house valve open almost all the way...lots of pressure. Obviously too much! I will try your suggestions tomorrow when I have calmed down a bit..

My main worry is the heating element. Will the tube float or sink? It will probably move around quite a bit when the water is running.

For giggles, call Camco and tell them what happened with their product. See what they have to say. Was it new or have you had it for a while? Was there any warnings on the literature regarding water pressure?

Route 66 Traveler · 09-23-2019, 05:44 PM

I went to the Camco website and used their form under “Contacts”. We’ll see if they respond. My wand was about a year old and don’t remember seeing any pressure warnings. I used it about 6 months ago.

I filled it with water, so tomorrow I’ll pull the drain an see what happens. Keep your fingers crossed for me...maybe it will come shooting out as fast as it went in.

Route 66 Traveler · 09-24-2019, 10:42 AM

OK, it's a new day. I received an E-mail from Camco this morning saying they were sorry for my problem. They said flushing the heater would probably flush out the tube. Tried that three times without success. They also said that it wouldn't hurt to just leave it in the heater. They offered to send me another flushing wand...thanks, but no thanks.

So for now I will just forget about it and hope there won't be any bad things happening with my hot water in the future. Just use extreme caution when using that flusher...maybe put a small hose clamp on the tube where it connects to the hose fitting. Lesson learned the hard way.....

Grumpy · 09-24-2019, 10:51 AM

Try letting the water run into and out of the tank slowly and see if it floats out that way.

AKRUEBBE · 09-24-2019, 11:01 AM

If it's floating, maybe remove the high pressure valve and gradually at water until it flows out of that hole. Just a thought.

**norty1** · 09-24-2019, 11:07 AM

I have one just like it and used it for years. I guess it needs inspecting.

Route 66 Traveler · 09-24-2019, 11:09 AM

The last time I drained it I turned on the pump and let the water run out for quite awhile. Nothing but water came out. But you just gave me another idea...maybe I should try hooking up to my house water supply and run it and see what happens?! Problem is it has to be pointed the right direction for it to come out the drain hole and it's impossible to see anything through the drain plug hole. Ugh!

Route 66 Traveler · 09-24-2019, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKRUEBBE

If it's floating, maybe remove the high pressure valve and gradually at water until it flows out of that hole. Just a thought.

Question is does it float or sink in the tank?? I assume it sinks to the bottom. Anyone want to take theirs apart and test it for me...

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