Ruud Monel Water Heater

Scscott9

I have a 40 gallon Ruud Monel Water Heater which has started leaking 2 days ago. Plumber advised it needs to be replaced and suggested a Bradford White replacement. Before they remove and dispose, is there value in what I have? Should I retain?

mattmia2

where is it leaking? unless it is a connection it is done. those have a gas valve that is questionable at best and i believe have the inlet and outlet tubes routed in such a way that you can't put a modern t& p valve on them.

mattmia2

The monel might have enough scrap value to be worth taking it to a scrap dealer.

Scscott9

Best I can tell, the leak is coming from the back bottom. However, not 100% certain.

Intplm.

Changing it after all those years is a shame, but a necessity. Bradford white water heaters are terrific. It's time.

Intplm.

It's time for a change.

Larry Weingarten

Hi, I do like to keep old heaters going, but safety matters. The gas control and lack of a T&P are reason to consider a new tank. Also it looks like your heater isn't burning well. That tank is probably 50 or 60 years old, so has given good service. Add a second magnesium anode to your new tank, check those rods periodically and you can get fifty years from it. 😉

Yours, Larry

ps. I'll add that if the leak can be found, you could use this as a tempering tank to preheat the water going into your new tank.

mattmia2

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1865363#Comment_1865363

i think that design became obsolete by the late 50's, i think it is more like 70-75.

EBEBRATT-Ed

@Larry Weingarten

hot_rod

looks like some flame roll out from time to time? Time to move on for safety sake if nothing else.

Do you have any scrap yards nearby, call for scrap prices. I suspect that tank has some sediment in the bottom. You may need to split it open and clean out to get the best scrap $$

Here is what Al has to say.

Big Ed_4

Back when we made equipment to last ….