I have a 1998 Beneteau 321 that was abandoned for 4 years and I have cleaned her up to look like new along with being rerigged, new electronics and a new electric head. However, when the hot water tank gets heated up and hot water is run into the galley or head sink it smells like rotten eggs. I have cleaned/flushed the fresh water tank many many times with liquid bleech, water treatment and vinegar but it still stinks. Short of replacing the tank (a $275.00 investment) what esle can I do to get rid of the stink.
Stinky Hot Water
- Thread starter andale@1
- Start date
Thank you for your response and I will try to flush per the provided instructions. I have not been able to find an anode on this tank (Atwood) however, I have written Atwood to see if they ave any advise and to see if there is an anode in my Hot Water tank since I have yet to find one.
respectfully,
respectfully,
My B323 has an Atwood EHM6, and the manual does not specify any anode. It does have a treatment (p3) on solving that raw-egg smell. I assume you can download it on www.atwoodmobile.com. If you ever buy a new heater, check the Benetau Spare Parts site for a price. That's where i got my second one.
Before replacing the tank--which I'm guessing won't help--figure out the source.
You say it is only the hot water. Have you heated some cold water to see if it it the heat making it obvious?
If it is the dockside water, you have a lifetime of water treatment in front of you. This is not uncommon with high sulfate water.
If those tests pass there are only 2 other possibilities: The lines aren't clean (sounds like they are clean) or there is something electrolytic going on in the water heater (you must get the anode replaced).
Be systematic. Check water at every step, allowing time for bacteria, if present, to do their work.
You say it is only the hot water. Have you heated some cold water to see if it it the heat making it obvious?
- Bail some water straight from the tank. Does it stink?
- Heated it. Does it stink now?
If it is the dockside water, you have a lifetime of water treatment in front of you. This is not uncommon with high sulfate water.
If those tests pass there are only 2 other possibilities: The lines aren't clean (sounds like they are clean) or there is something electrolytic going on in the water heater (you must get the anode replaced).
Be systematic. Check water at every step, allowing time for bacteria, if present, to do their work.
thinwater's ideas are good. You might also remember that Peggie mentioned that MOST issues are the gunk in the HOSES, in her recommissioning material. I had a leak in one of my hoses, so i replaced them all earlier this year. They were 26 years old! You might consider replacing the hoses first. I found a 50 foot roll of 1/2 in drinking water hose for a ridiculously low price out of Seattle in August 2013.