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Old 07-17-2018, 06:34 AM   #1
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Water heater drain plug

I've had my Jay Feather X213 about two years now. After each use, I always drain the water heater by removing the plastic drain plug. On my last trip, I noticed a small drip from the drain plug. I've never used tape on the threads. Should I be? Or maybe it is time for a new plug?
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Old 07-17-2018, 06:41 AM   #2
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It is pipe threads, so you should use a bit of teflon tape. That nylon is fairly soft, so I bet it will conform to the metal threads nicely. Mine gave me a lot of grief after just a few of removing it, so installed a short hose and 1/4 turn valve. But if you have had good luck with your nylon plug, I might recommend buying two replacements.
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Old 07-17-2018, 06:43 AM   #3
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The nylon drain plug is a tape-free plug. They tend to wear out when removed over and over. Mine is not leaking yet but will. I remove it often like you and many others here. You can try the white Teflon tape (the yellow tape is for gas lines) to buy some time but grab a new one at the hardware store for a couple bucks and keep it handy. That's what I did.
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Old 07-17-2018, 06:58 AM   #4
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I don't use tape on my plastic plugs and never had a leak. They come in a 2 pack on Amazon and I keep spares handy and I replaced it this spring only because it looked dirty and the new ones were nice and clean. Lol
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Old 07-17-2018, 07:15 AM   #5
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Replace the plug, and always carry another with you.
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Old 07-17-2018, 07:16 AM   #6
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Life's too short to be messing with that plug every time, see posts #101 & 102 -

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...-41831-11.html
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Old 07-17-2018, 09:01 AM   #7
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Replaced my old plug with an adapter, hose, and ball valve.. Takes a bit longer to drain but I don't have to mess with that stupid plastic plug.
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Old 07-17-2018, 01:51 PM   #8
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I would recommend just replacing it and carrying a spare. I remove our plug and keep it removed for at least the trip home. The amount of water that comes out of the water heater after we start moving is pretty significant. I'd rather be able to drain most of the water.
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Old 07-17-2018, 02:28 PM   #9
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why drain it after every use??? just curious
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Old 07-17-2018, 02:32 PM   #10
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Quote:
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why drain it after every use??? just curious
minimize chance of rotten egg smell with the hot water. if I am not using it for a week I am draining it.
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Old 07-17-2018, 02:35 PM   #11
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I used my OEM drain plug to drain the WH after nearly every trip for almost 4 years and never had a leak. I never used tape either. And I was careful not to over-tighten or cross-thread the plug; as mentioned, it is soft nylon, so it is easy to foul the threads and over-tighten it and ruin it. I did buy a two-pack of replacements the first year I owned the trailer. When I sold the trailer and bought the MH, I moved the unopened pack of replacement plugs into the MH (same Atwood 6-Gal WH). I fully anticipate never having to open that package, and I'll likely move it from the MH to our next unit (if that ever happens, LOL!) But it's going to stay in the MH because it's awful cheap insurance.
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Old 07-17-2018, 02:36 PM   #12
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minimize chance of rotten egg smell with the hot water. if I am not using it for a week I am draining it.
thanks ... It hasn't happened to me but good to know if it does...
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Old 07-17-2018, 02:39 PM   #13
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It may be a month between trips for us so I drain it after each use so the water in the tank doesn't become smelly as it stagnates. Plus it drains some of the scale out with it. My current plastic plug is in it's 3rd year and I do smear a little pipe dope on it and no leaks. I carry 2 spares just in case.
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Old 07-17-2018, 08:36 PM   #14
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Question

I have a 2017 Jay Feather 23rlsw. We open all 3 low point drains during tear down and that seems to drain the hot water heater just fine. I have checked it a couple of times after getting home and the tank is empty. Is that only on the Jay Feather?
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Old 07-17-2018, 08:41 PM   #15
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I have a 2017 Jay Feather 23rlsw. We open all 3 low point drains during tear down and that seems to drain the hot water heater just fine. I have checked it a couple of times after getting home and the tank is empty. Is that only on the Jay Feather?
Nope, our low point drains also drain the water heater.
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Old 07-17-2018, 08:42 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by Chet & Marie View Post
I have a 2017 Jay Feather 23rlsw. We open all 3 low point drains during tear down and that seems to drain the hot water heater just fine. I have checked it a couple of times after getting home and the tank is empty. Is that only on the Jay Feather?
If you're opening the hot and cold spigots along with the low point drains, it makes sense that the WH would also drain itself down to the lowest connection to the tank. I thinks that's physics for any model short of some sort of backflow valve being in place to prevent it.
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Old 07-17-2018, 09:12 PM   #17
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Yes you have to open both hot and cold factors at kitchen sink.
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Old 07-18-2018, 06:13 AM   #18
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Thanks for the input everyone. I'll replace the plug and keep a spare with me. They're cheap.

Although, 01tundra, I like your drain assembly setup. It has the added benefit of not draining down the door. I think that will be my next mod.
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Old 07-18-2018, 06:19 AM   #19
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Some do and some don't drain the wh thru the low point drains. They don't trouble you with which do and which don't for some reason.

Mine does not, another one I work on for a friend does.
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Old 07-18-2018, 07:30 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chet & Marie View Post
I have a 2017 Jay Feather 23rlsw. We open all 3 low point drains during tear down and that seems to drain the hot water heater just fine. I have checked it a couple of times after getting home and the tank is empty. Is that only on the Jay Feather?
Nope, I do the same thing. I open the low point drains and either open a hot water faucet or crack the pressure valve on the heater to break the vacuum. All the water drains out while I drive home.


So much easier and less expensive.
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