The hot water on my new 320 smells STRONGLY of hydrogen sulfide. The cold water is fine and I've tried flushing the 5 gallons or so out of the hot tank but the next time I go for the hot stuff it smells again! What <gulp> is living or dying in my plumbing?!?!
- Status
Nothing is dying or living in your water heater
And no amount of cleaning with ANYthing will get rid of that "rotten egg" smell. The anode--very similar to the sacrificial zincs in other places on your boat--has given up the ghost and needs to be replaced. It'll cost you about $20 and take about 15 minutes to swap out. The anode in a hot water tank is a rod about a foot long...it's part of the discharge fitting at the top of the tank (cold water comes in the fitting at the bottom...hot water is drawn out the fitting at the top). Order a new part from the tank mfr. When it comes, run the hot water till no more comes out. Put a pan or a bucket under the fitting and remove the hose. Using the correct size pipe wrench, loosen the discharge fitting and remove it. Replace it with the new one...use teflon tape on the threads to insure a good seal...reconnect the hose...and you're done. End of rotten egg smell.
And no amount of cleaning with ANYthing will get rid of that "rotten egg" smell. The anode--very similar to the sacrificial zincs in other places on your boat--has given up the ghost and needs to be replaced. It'll cost you about $20 and take about 15 minutes to swap out. The anode in a hot water tank is a rod about a foot long...it's part of the discharge fitting at the top of the tank (cold water comes in the fitting at the bottom...hot water is drawn out the fitting at the top). Order a new part from the tank mfr. When it comes, run the hot water till no more comes out. Put a pan or a bucket under the fitting and remove the hose. Using the correct size pipe wrench, loosen the discharge fitting and remove it. Replace it with the new one...use teflon tape on the threads to insure a good seal...reconnect the hose...and you're done. End of rotten egg smell.
Hey Peggy - that reminds me!
The same thing happened when I replaced the hot water heater in my home awhile back. As I recall, the plumber told me the rod was magnesium and was designed to slowly slough off pieces to fill micro holes in the glass of the tank. Problem was, the water stank right from the git go. We ended up pulling the rod out and creating one heck of a sparkler with it! Smell went away and I just trusted the tank to hol dits own. The reason I bring this up is that I am dealing with a NEW boat so I wonder if replacing the anode will really work. On the other hand, I really don't what I'm talking about so I could use some expert details. Thanks
The same thing happened when I replaced the hot water heater in my home awhile back. As I recall, the plumber told me the rod was magnesium and was designed to slowly slough off pieces to fill micro holes in the glass of the tank. Problem was, the water stank right from the git go. We ended up pulling the rod out and creating one heck of a sparkler with it! Smell went away and I just trusted the tank to hol dits own. The reason I bring this up is that I am dealing with a NEW boat so I wonder if replacing the anode will really work. On the other hand, I really don't what I'm talking about so I could use some expert details. Thanks
It should work Tom...
And if it's a new boat, it should be covered under your warranty. I wonder if the anode is missing altogether... What brand is your water heater?
And if it's a new boat, it should be covered under your warranty. I wonder if the anode is missing altogether... What brand is your water heater?
Mine don't smell...
Been running ours a lot lately. Initially the water smelt and tasted kinda sweet like some kind of anti-freeze the factory loaded the system with. Now after several tanks refills both HOT! ( McDONALD'S COFFEE HOT ) and cold does not stink and is drinkable I think...but I prefer beer. Must be a mouse in your tank or something, but like you I know nothing about the thing other than it makes the water ver-we hot.
Been running ours a lot lately. Initially the water smelt and tasted kinda sweet like some kind of anti-freeze the factory loaded the system with. Now after several tanks refills both HOT! ( McDONALD'S COFFEE HOT ) and cold does not stink and is drinkable I think...but I prefer beer. Must be a mouse in your tank or something, but like you I know nothing about the thing other than it makes the water ver-we hot.
Mines starting to get ripe
My hot water is starting to get ripe, even though I try and run the water throught the system so that I don't have this happen. The smell is only on the hot water side, but again I havn't done any type of re-commishioning since the boat is so new. Looks like I will be checking the annode this weekend and see if I can determine if its toasted or not. Regards. Bruce. Neon Moon
My hot water is starting to get ripe, even though I try and run the water throught the system so that I don't have this happen. The smell is only on the hot water side, but again I havn't done any type of re-commishioning since the boat is so new. Looks like I will be checking the annode this weekend and see if I can determine if its toasted or not. Regards. Bruce. Neon Moon
So you know what to look for...
I've copied the following from the Raritan water heater owners manual. "A removable magnesium Anode is integral with the hot water discharge fitting. The Anode should be checked at least once a year by removing it from the water heater. If the Anode diameter is less than 3/8" (9.5mm), it should be replaced. If discoloration, unusual smell or taste develop in the water, inspect or replace Anode." So what you'll be looking for is a similar effect to a "melted" zinc on your prop shaft--reduced diameter and maybe some erosion of the rod. Although most water heaters are pretty much alike in design--and often parts for one brand are interchangeable with another, you'd be wise to read the owners manual for your own brand.
I've copied the following from the Raritan water heater owners manual. "A removable magnesium Anode is integral with the hot water discharge fitting. The Anode should be checked at least once a year by removing it from the water heater. If the Anode diameter is less than 3/8" (9.5mm), it should be replaced. If discoloration, unusual smell or taste develop in the water, inspect or replace Anode." So what you'll be looking for is a similar effect to a "melted" zinc on your prop shaft--reduced diameter and maybe some erosion of the rod. Although most water heaters are pretty much alike in design--and often parts for one brand are interchangeable with another, you'd be wise to read the owners manual for your own brand.
- Status