Raritan Water Heater with Rust

[jrezab]

I have a 1986 Raritan 6 gal Water Heater. I recently flushed out the tank and found rust sediment and flakings coming out of the tank's water outlet. Since these tanks are supposed to have an inside glass lined steel tank and a built-in engine heat exchanger where is the rust coming from? No rust is visible in the water coming from the galley faucets nor is any engine anti freeze in the water either which could indicate a heat exchanger deteriorating. No visible water leaking on the outside of the tank. Has anyone experienced this and what is causing the rust?

Jerry
Pearson 303 (Hull #314)

 

[centerline]

the "rust" and "flakings" are most likely mineral sedimentation that has accumulated over the years... running the tap does not create enough flow to keep it flushed out, but when you flush it with garden hose pressure and flow, it does... so now its clean.

if there was a way to disassemble it all so you could tap the tank, you would knock a bunch more "flakes" loose... but its not likely you will want to go that far...
a clean water heater is a more efficient water heater.

 

[Stu Jackson]

You should also get in the habit of using the HOT faucet even when you don't have hot water in the heater. This keeps the water moving through it, cleaner and fresher and avoids this issue.