Cascade 2 GE Water Heater Leak

[Andy_374377792]

I am new to this forum so please bear with me.

On our last holiday i noticed a leak coming from my water heater. On closer inspection i noticed a small drip coming from the round cylinder that connects to what looks like the flue part? I am fairly good at diy and do most jobs myself as having a wife, two kids and a mortgage means that any spare cash goes on our trips away hence buying a van this year!

Any info on what this could be would be invaluable as most of my local dealers seem to want to sell me a new one. I am aware that parts for these heaters are hard to come by so am i resigned to having to buy a new one?

 

[Damian]

Andy, are you looking inside the van or outside?

Inside you have the tank, covered by the insulating jacket and just 2 water connections, on the right hand side. top is hot out, lower is cold in.

Other than that there is the tank seal which cannot be seen.

Usually the water leaks inside are either the hot or cold water connections, or both!, but are replaceable at minimal cost.

Outside, under the cover are three possible parts which may leak, on the top left is the pressure relief valve, lower is the drain plug, then right in the middle, behind a cover is a fusible plug which melts if the temp reaches a critical level, dumping the water over the burner to extinguish it.

It would be helpful to know which part you are looking at?

 

[Andy_374377792]

Sorry should have been more clear. I am looking inside the van. It is tucked in the corner so i do not have full access to it. I noticed the water drips onto a black plate and from what i can feel it comes from where the round cylinder joins the part that goes outside.

I hope this makes it a bit more clearer?

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Andy,

That sound like the main tank seal is leaking. It is unusual for that to leak unless something else has caused it, such as damage by frost, or possibly the main tie rod that holds the tank to the main casting has corroded and broken.

Without a full inspection it will be difficult to know exactly. However, tank repair kits can be found, and one of these may solve your problem.

This job needs the heater to be removed from the caravan, and as it is a gas appliance the job must be done by a compent person working to the gas regulations. so unless you are fully conversant with the regs and have access to the necessary test equipment, it is not a DIY job.

 

[mcghee]

my advice to you would be buy a replacement tank. since you already have the operating equipment you'll only need a bare tank which you can pick up on ebay for about 40 quid or so.

i have repaired these tanks in the past and it never seems to last for long. since they are a bit of a pain in the arse to remove and refit you only want to do it once.

 

[gary]

Sorry to say that the chances of getting hold of a new tank are slim to say the least, none have been available since the end of last year!

However,it's first important to realise a leak from anywhere inside will alway seem to come from the area you mention, this is due to the tanks round shape and being angled slightly that way to help with draining.

As John mentioned, if it is the tank then frost damage is a likely cause but this can be put back as good as new, similarly if the tank is corroded and holed, I've several methods of repairing this very successfully indeed.

The tie rod that holds tank to heat exchanger is prone to corrode and become weak and this will also allow the tank to come loose and leak from the main seal.

More simple if a gas/electric model, the electric elements seal can also leak.

Simpler still to repair are leaking plastic fittings mentioned by Damian.

Overall IMO repair is always the best option, cost is far less and done correctly should be almost if not as good as new