Hot Water Heater Leak

[Scott pei]

I have a leak on the steel piece that platic fitting goes into. That steel nipple is wet on the bottom side. Can that be unscrewed and reseated or is it a permanent part of the tank? It looks like a gap there but not sure how it connects to tank.

[norty1]

Originally Posted by Scott pei

I have a leak on the steel piece that platic fitting goes into. That steel nipple is wet on the bottom side. Can that be unscrewed and reseated or is it a permanent part of the tank? It looks like a gap there but not sure how it connects to tank.

Several people have answered that question starting at post #12.

[Scott pei]

Originally Posted by reynoben

Thanks all for the replies. I removed the threaded end going into the tank. There was very minimal compound used. I cleaned it up, wrapped it in teflon tape and threaded it back in. Ran water through it last night without any leaks! The trailer is only 2 years old. I agree, you'd think it would last longer

By the threaded end do you mean the plastic one or the aluminum piece? Mine is leaking at the tank side of the aluminium nipple and I pulled pretty hard on it and it doesn’t want to break. Just want to make sure that piece is actually threaded. I didn’t see any evidence of a pipe wrench used to tighten it the first time and am pretty weary to pull on it any harder in case that’s a permanent piece of the tank.

[Scott pei]

Originally Posted by norty1

Several people have answered that question starting at post #12.

Actually, my question wasn’t answered so thanks for your input big guy. I took the tank out and that piece is not threaded, it is a permanent piece of the tank. I love this forum and there is no need to make someone feel like they are asking a stupid question if you don’t know what you’re talking about.

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by Scott pei

I have a leak on the steel piece that platic fitting goes into. That steel nipple is wet on the bottom side. Can that be unscrewed and reseated or is it a permanent part of the tank? It looks like a gap there but not sure how it connects to tank.

Yep. First time I just snuggled it up, and it did not leak for the rest of the year. Next spring it leaked again. Pulled it apart, new pipe dope and put it back together. No leak since.

It is a short pipe nipple, threaded on both ends.