stubborn water heater element

kris

i'm trying to replace a lower element on my water heater - it's turning out to be incredibly difficult. Feel like i've tried everything - got the tool that fits - used liqid wrench and wd-40. Any suggestions?

Ken_8

There's two kinds...

~16 sided "nut" screw in type and/or four bolt capture plate style. Which do you have?

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hr

I used to do tons

of electric WH element replacements in "hard water" Utah. As Ken said generally two types are found. The hex headed version thread out. Get a good 6 point socket. those tin element sockets are merely knuckle skinners

Usually a short extension and a breaker bar is needed.

The four bolt ones should be easy to remove UNLESS you snap off or strip a bolt. Then it's a drag!

When you get real cocky, or stupid, you can change elements without draining the tank. Until you come across one that has expanded like a toggle bolt inside the tank.

Make sure the homeowner is not watching! Some serious trash talking will be needed to get out of this "hot water"

Good luck. Turn the power off first

hot rod

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mph

Element replacement

If you're in a hard water area, have your wet/dry vac ready with a small piece of hose attached to get all of the "oyster shell" out of the bottom of the tank. I use a 24" piece of 3/4 pex with the end cut at an angle and taped to my shop vac hose (with the filter taken out).

Jeff

kris

stubborn element

it's the screw in type - i got an element socket - the kind that fits over the element and you stick a screwdriver in the two holes to turn it - the thing doesn't even seem close to moving - can you think of anything else besides liquid wrench to use to loosen it up a bit?

Ken D.

Stubborn element

As Hot Rod said, get a 1/2" or a 3/4" drive socket with a breaker bar or long ratchet handle and put some umph behind it. I think the socket size is 1 1/4". Double check though. It has always worked for me.

hr

Use the force, Luke

I don't think a screwdriver will give you enough leverage. And be careful screwdrivers can snap and fly.

You might try a 18 or 24" pipe wrench around that socket, instead of a screwdriver. Trust me it's not welded in there

Give me a lever big enough, and a place to rest it, and I can move the earth! Archimedes, or someone wise, once said that

hot rod

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Alan_6

I have had better luck, by taking a cold chisel, and hitting each flat side of the hex, to the element.

scrook_2

stubborn element

try a real penitrating oil vs. WD-40 which is best as a water displacer (think wet spark plug wires), in spite of marketing to the contrary -- for example "P B Blaster" (from a *real* auto parts store) or Kano Labs "Kroil" www.kanolabs.com or "Mouse Milk Oil" (from an aircraft parts supplier) or a similar industrial or auto/truck repair grade of penetrant.

Also buy a *six* point 1 1/2" socket, either 1/2" or 3/4" drive and a breaker handle and a 3/4" to 1/2" square drive adaptor if needed, at Sears (or the auto parts store).

Be sure the water heater's solidly held and won't tip. Once you crack it loose you'll be fine. If you have hard or semihard water be sure to get a "low watt density" element.

Larry Weingarten

trick

One more trick is to take your six point socket and grind the working end of it flat. The metal you have available to grab on an element isn't much and most sockets only grab the corners. I've rounded elements even with a six point socket. Then gently stand on the breaker bar and viola, something will give! Good luck.

Dan Joyce

hot water element

Impact wrench electic

kevin_5

Don't give up, and take your time.

Larry is right, most good sockets have a chamfer to allow easy fitting of socket to fastener. This will waste a good portion of the thin profile that is all you have to get ahold of on the element. Look for a socket with less of this chamfer or grind it down. Definitely 6 point as HR said. Amen to the PB blaster. It does what wd40 only dreams of doing. I have heard good stuff about kroil too. I would love to try anything called mouse milk oil. With a name like that... it's gotta be good.
4 things involved in breaking something loose.
Torque, Heat, Impact, Chemicals. 5th method would be electrolysis, but not in your case. Heat it up real hot if you can do it without burning down the house. Then let it cool or even quench it fast by throwing water on it (empty tank first). Try it both ways. Get a good flat punch and a hammer and whack it a bunch of times (without mushrooming it)If you can borrow a good socket and electric impact, I bet that would be all you need. You'll feel great when it's over. Kevin

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kevin_5

Oh yeah,

Don't forget a real good grade of anti-sieze paste on the threads when you put it back together. After all, the next guy might be YOU! RTV silicone would work well for this and would definitely eliminate leaks also. Kevin

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Weezbo

tap tap tap.

get a grip on it lay a cheater bar over the wrench bind down on it and tap the cheater with a hammer a few times. This will set up a Rythym spray some small blast of liquid heat (bolt remover wd 40 type stuff) leave it be a few min go back and rap on it again this time way harder. about three good raps.. turn the wrench around the other way and see if you can tighten it using the same procedure. if it tightens it will loosen.i'm busted some heavy weight fittings apart in my day:)

DAVID R. FAUVER

ELEMENT WRENCH

DO NOT FORGET TO BUY CRAFTSMAN SOCKET AND BREAKER BAR. I HAVE PLACE A LARGER PIECE OF PIPE ON BREAKER TO BREAK ELEMENT LOOSE. IF U BUY CRAFTSMAN U CAN REPLACE WHEN U SNAP THE BREAKER BAR IF IT IS THAT BAD.

kris

stubborn element

can't find a *6 POINT* 1 1/2" socket . . . anyone know of a place that carries them?

scrook_2

6 point

Sears (maybe not on shelf), www.grainger.com, www.mscdirect.com, www.mcmaster.com, auto/truck parts stores, Mac tools, Snap-On tools, some larger hardware stores, etc. Prices will vary depending on vendor and brandname.

hr

Inertia is another option, if leverage frightens you

anyone that works on motorcycles will have a hand impact driver. Install socket, position over element, and one mighty smacky will either loosen it or change the rotation of the earth!

Not necessarily the position of the planet like the large lever I mentioned

Here is a cheap socket with a flat surface as Larry, wisely, pointed out. This is from one of those mail order discount tool places. Harbor freight I believe. There everywhere these days. Incrediably cheep, but not very high quality.

Drop a tool on concrete to note it's quality. Good temper steel rings. Cheap grades "thunk" I can hear the difference across a shop

You must know a truck mechanic that would loan one to you for a one shot use??

hot rod

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Ken_8

If you have a nice relationship with your

mechanic, he might let you borrow one from his tool box, along with a 6" extension and a breaker bar?

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jw

Might be cheaper..........

Unless you plan on using the tools again, you could have more invested in the tools than the cost of a new electric tank!!!

How old is the one you have in there now? Is there any warranty left on it? Do you have hard water, and is the tank full of sediment.

Have fun.

jim lockard

My thought

also John, just go buy another water heater. Best Wishes J. Lockard