Heating Elements Leaking

[CommanderDave]

I have a Rheem Marathon 50gal electric water heater. I ordered a replacement upgrade kit with new thermostats and heating elements. For some reason when I install the heating elements they LEAK. I did not put on any thread pipe dope/tape and I'm careful not to overtighten them, but no amount of finese will get them to stop leaking. It certainly appears they are leaking around the threads, but it also looks like possibly coming from behind the mounting plate. Here are the parts:
SP213670 Upper Element. Replaces 213400, which is stamped on the original element
SP213790 Lower element. Supposed to replace SP210500 stamped on original element

​

 

[Sylvan]

Thank you for your service. I am a life member of the DAV

 

[Sponsor]

 

[John Gayewski]

I have a Rheem Marathon 50gal electric water heater. I ordered a replacement upgrade kit with new thermostats and heating elements. For some reason when I install the heating elements they LEAK. I did not put on any thread pipe dope/tape and I'm careful not to overtighten them, but no amount of finese will get them to stop leaking. It certainly appears they are leaking around the threads, but it also looks like possibly coming from behind the mounting plate. Here are the parts:
SP213670 Upper Element. Replaces 213400, which is stamped on the original element
SP213790 Lower element. Supposed to replace SP210500 stamped on original element

​

What's the question?

 

[CommanderDave]

What's the question?

Why is it leaking???

 

[CommanderDave]

I installed two new elements, they leaked. I removed them and re-installed the old elements, they leaked. They start to leak when the tank gets full. I open the release valve to vent out air while filling to keep the tank's pressure down, and if I open a hot water faucet there is a lot of air gushing out. They still leak, water pours out around them. It looks to me like the original elements had some of the blue paste around them, but not much. I've inspected the elements gaskets and they seem fine, not crushed. When I install the elements I hand tighten them, and then when they start to leak I slowly tighten them with a wrench, and that only causes more water to gush out. The heater is 15 years old. The instructions that came with the new elements say nothing about putting anything on the threads. Why is this happening??

 

[CommanderDave]

I installed two new elements, they leaked. I removed them and re-installed the old elements, they leaked. They start to leak when the tank gets full. I open the release valve to vent out air while filling to keep the tank's pressure down, and if I open a hot water faucet there is a lot of air gushing out. They still leak, water pours out around them. It looks to me like the original elements had some of the blue paste around them, but not much. I've inspected the elements gaskets and they seem fine, not crushed. When I install the elements I hand tighten them, and then when they start to leak I slowly tighten them with a wrench, and that only causes more water to gush out. The heater is 15 years old. The instructions that came with the new elements say nothing about putting anything on the threads. Why is this happening??

I was experiencing an issue with the hot water tank having a slow recovery, so I purchased a kit with two new elements and two new thermostats. The elements were not previously leaking.

 

[John Gayewski]

If you can't get them to seal then the threads or the hole is warped. It doesn't take much movement for things to leak. It's an old heater so it's probably time to replace it.


Your could try using antisieze on the male threads. Antisieze can help the threads slide in deeper and form a seal. There might be some other types of sealant that may or may not work, but if antisieze doesn't work I would junk the heater.

 

[Fitter30]

Its the gasket not the threads that make the seal. Pull the element the old gasket still might be stuck on heater.

 

[CommanderDave]

If you can't get them to seal then the threads or the hole is warped. It doesn't take much movement for things to leak. It's an old heater so it's probably time to replace it.


Your could try using antisieze on the male threads. Antisieze can help the threads slide in deeper and form a seal. There might be some other types of sealant that may or may not work, but if antisieze doesn't work I would junk the heater.

Took your advice. I'm having a new LG heat pump hot water heater installed today. It will also be connected to my geothermal unit. Electric company rebate and tax credits make it worthwhile. Thanks.

 

[John Gayewski]

Its the gasket not the threads that make the seal. Pull the element the old gasket still might be stuck on heater.

The threads pull the gasket tight. Most heater element wrenches are terrible. The antisieze can help pull element tight enough to seal again. It can also fill the rough sealing surface on the heater.

In industrial pipe fitting (when I used to do alot of it) we used to butter our gaskets in antisieze along with bolts.