[C320-list] Hot water heater leak

[John Fitzgibbon]

The leak could be coming from the cold water supply line into the hot water heater (HWH). Not the line itself but the nipple that’s threaded into the HWH.  The nylon fitting can’t withstand the heat and subsequently fails.  It cracks/splits inside of the threaded bore of the HWH so it’s not readily apparent when visually inspected.  I’ve replaced this fitting twice, once with another nylon fitting which failed within 8 months and the last time with a brass ended fitting.  So far so good, no leaks around the heater.

Jack
#441 


-----Original Message-----
>From: David J Cardoza <dave at avaloncon.com>
>Sent: May 20, 2009 12:04 PM
>To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>Subject: Re: [C320-list] Hot water heater leak
>
>Sounds like the pressure release valve is gone.  Its further back on the
>water heater and has a hose hanging off it about a foot long.  It's not
>the same as the ones at the hardware store (higher pressure due to high
>temp created from motor) if this is the case when you have water in the
>tanks and the pump on and the engine running for a while it will drop
>all your water in the bilge rather quick.  The water heater manufacturer
>sent me a new valve and it's been fine ever sense.
>
>Good luck
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
>[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Paul
>Rickman
>Sent: Sunday, May 17, 2009 6:21 PM
>To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>Subject: Re: [C320-list] Hot water heater leak
>
>I have had a nagging leak from the hose connecting to the input side
>(cold water) of the hot water heater. 
>The problem is that it never leaks until the water has heated up. I have
>replaced the short
>3 inch hose four times over five seasons. This connection gets very hot
>and I guess it wears out. 
>Once I even lost all my fresh water while motoring
>to an anchorage. Fortunately, I had enough bottled water to get me
>through the night and back to
>the marina. It is never a good sign when the bilge pump turns on. I'm a
>little guy shy now, leaving
>the water pressure off while under way. This spring, thinking it was the
>whale fitting, I put too much
>pressure on it and it snapped. So I've replaced everthing from the hot
>water heater to the blue tubing,
>included a whale back pressure fitting. The Annapolis West Marine on
>Forrest Drive carries some
>of the Whale fittings -- but you have to ask for them as they are in a
>box on a high shelf. The box
>is labeled "quick connect fittings".
>
> Paul
>Affinity 657
>Bay Bridge Marina
>
>
>
>
>________________________________
>From: Scott Thompson <surprise at thompson87.com>
>To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>Sent: Sunday, May 17, 2009 5:39:04 PM
>Subject: Re: [C320-list] Rudder post deck plate
>
>My hot water heater was leaking last year and was replaced by the yard a
>few weeks ago just before launch.  Needless to say, the yard maintenance
>supervisor and I went over the fresh water system very carefully as this
>was the prime suspect.  However we found no evidence of any leaks, and
>could not find any evidence of new water coming into the bilge after
>draining it.
>
>On the other hand, the water appeared right after a thorough cleaning of
>the boat, including a lot of water running in the cockpit, and we found
>water in the depression at the the top of the rudder post and
>immediately around the top of the rudder post just below the inspection
>plate.  I've known it was leaking for some time, so that's my working
>hypothesis for now.
>
>I never noticed any leaks from the regulator valve on the old hot water
>heater.  I'll keep my fingers crossed on the new one.
>
>
>Jon Vez wrote:
>> Scott,
>> 
>> Do you have a hose and some type of container attached to your hot
>water
>> heater regulator valve? If not, you will be amazed at how much water
>gets
>> pushed out...I think it was Adam that suggested a hose and 1 liter
>bottle to
>> catch the water. I've used this for several years now (a 99 vintage
>boat as
>> well) with great success. You can also change the regulator out, but I
>> haven't bothered. The only other water I get is from the fridge runoff
>since
>> mine wasn't plumbed to the sump--another project on my list!
>> 
>> Regards,
>> 
>> Jon Vez
>> Solstice #582
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
>> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Scott
>Thompson
>> Sent: Sunday, May 17, 2009 3:16 PM
>> To: Catalina320.org
>> Subject: [C320-list] Rudder post deck plate
>> 
>> I've been aware for some time that the deck plate for the emergency
>tiller on Surprise is leaking.  Indeed this is the only source of
>possible fresh water in the bilge that I could identify, when I found
>the bilge full of fresh water recently.  I cannot find any mark of a
>manufacturer on the plate.  Does anyone know a source for the gaskets on
>these somewhat unusual deck plates.
>> 
>> Surprise is a 1999 vintage boat.
>> 
>
>-- Scott Thompson
>Surprise, #653
>
>