Posted by Tony Williams (149.199.62.254) on May 01, 2000 at 14:30:29:
Whenever I turn on the electric water heater, I see water pooling on the wooden platform that the hot water tank sits on. It drips off the after end of the platform and runs down the hull to the bilge. It *ALWAYS* happens and I've searched and searched for the source of the leak, but I'm stumped. Has anyone else seen something like this?
The leak appears to be coming from somewhere underneath the tank. The P/T relief valve and the drain faucet are not dripping, the engine coolant circuit pipes aren't leaking, and the hot/cold water connections aren't leaking... The only thing I can think of is that the seal around the water heater is leaking, but I haven't gotten around to removing the access cover yet.
I don't think the leak happens when the water tank is heated by the engine's coolant, but it's hard to spot when I'm under way. I guess I could try running the engine for an hour at the dock to see if this causes the leak to start... Any other ideas?
Frustrated...Tony Williams.
Windriver (#678)
Posted by Bob Teeter (204.143.13.97) on May 02, 2000 at 08:06:17:
Tony,
I went through 2 water heaters in just under 2 years when we lived aboard our 1990 C 42. The problem was stray electrical current in the marina. The problem
was always found when we would notice a little bit of water coming from an unknown place around the water heater. It ended up coming from the tube where the
engine heat coil goes into the heater.
Both of my heaters were covered under Sea Wards warranty, but I was told that unless I unstalled a galvanic isolator, I would void any further warranty. Bottom line is that it has been 8 years and it has worked. His other advice was to only turn on the water heater about 1\2 hour before we wanted to use it.
To check and see if this is where it is coming from, you can waite until you know it is leaking (after the tank is heated up) and then shine a flashlight under each of the tubes and you will probably find that there is a leak on one tubes.
You may be able to also do a pressure test on the tank by draining out the water and pumping it up to about 45 lbs of air with a guage. Leave it for a day and if it won't hold the air, it has a leak in the tank and will need to be replaced.
Good luck.Posted by Tim Teague (24.0.228.194) on May 01, 2000 at 17:38:03:
I have just finished replacing my hot water heater. The original was the victim of galvanic corrosion. Before replacing the tank, I added a galvanic isolator. The water heater just fits over the top of the engine, after you disconnect a few things. Email me for more info.
Tim Teague
C42 #257 "Rain Song" - Semiahmoo, WA
Posted by Nick Wigen (216.26.3.73) on May 01, 2000 at 16:57:22:
Tony-Can't identify the source of your leak but have had similar leaks from our system when we heat up the water. The pressure water pumps put out pressure well below the temp/pressure valve relief point. When you start with a cold system there's probably a little air trapped in the top of the hot water tank. When everthing gets hot the pressure builds up since the check valve won't let it escape back throught the cold water line and your sink valves are stopping it at the other end. The higher pressure is enough to cause a leak. Maybe... Doesn't solve the mystery of your leak but might explain why it only happens sometimes. I heard from an intelligent and experienced C42 owner that he had problems with hot water heaters corroding due to stray currents from the shorepower. Went through a couple before finding the source.
Nick
Posted by Garry Willis (24.130.82.103) on May 01, 2000 at 20:20:07:
A very good reason to raise up your water heater on the base it sits on so that air gets under, circulates and dries out(hopefully). This should be done at the factory but is not. I recommend that everyone wedges up their hot water heaters. A 1/4" is all that is necessary.
