Carver GE leak

[Wockerman]

Hi all,
Just a quick question to see if anybody can advise... I have a Carver GE water heater in my 2000 Bailey Pageant that has just started leaking. Up to this point it has been fine and working well. I have replaced the plastic valves etc over the last year or so, and it is always drained down over winter. This weekend, we have a wet carpet inside the van....
From visual inspection, the leak is only small, only happens when a tap is running, and is coming from the inboard end of the tank, underneath. My suspicion is that the tie rod seals or the element seal has gone and it is leaking under pressure?
Can anybody offer any advice or other suggestions before i decide the best way to tackle it?

Thanks in advance!

 

[JTQ]

It could be that simple but in my experience you are very lucky its lasted that long. Mine corroded the tie rod but with access to a machine shop I was able to remanufacture it.

You will probably need the help of Arc Systems, a small trader who is very helpful in this field.

http://www.arcsystems.biz/

 

[gary]

could be the tank seal, a good test is to try and rock the tank and see if it moves against and without moving the heat exchanger. Any movement at all signals 'frost damage' and or a weakened ready to snap tie rod.
Unlikely in your case to be the element seal as from 97 it has stainless bolts holding it in, previous to this aluminium bolts were used and their head would corrode and weaken the joint to cause a leak.
Last but far from least, corrosion holes in the tank, the underside of the tank should be as smooth as the top to the feel, any 'scabs' particularly nearer the element is corrosion coming through from inside.
BTW, the tank is angled down slightly toward the wall to aid draining and being round, a leak from anywhere will drip off over the burner modules control box near the wall, not necessarily then where it originated!