B190 Enthusiasts

So my water heater is leaking from the top -I can't see where - but its not the inlet or outlet water tubes -

I reconnected the pipes when I bought the van and I think the water heater was known to be broken thats why it was shut off.

How can I

A) See what the problem is?
B) Remove the heater?
C)get a new one and what is the model number or type or will any one fit - mine is E350 1989

thanks

Mark

Check out Alaskan's thread on replacing the tank on the heater.
http://b190.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=133

Getting it out is fairly simple. Disconnect water lines, disconnect propane line, take out the screws around the frame, then use a putty knife to get out the caulking between the frame and body of the van, then slide it out.

Hi thanks - but I'm still not sure what model to get if I need a new one - are they all universally shaped?


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marko wrote:Hi thanks - but I'm still not sure what model to get if I need a new one - are they all universally shaped?

Mostly. The easiest thing to do is get another Atwood 6 gallon. The other brand of 6 gallon would also fit but there's more likely to be minor issues, like the pipes in the wrong place (not that the Atwood will necessarily be plug-and-play; you're just reducing the odds of having issues). There are also on-demand models available that might require more plumbing. Obviously a 10 gallon water heater will be much larger, so I would avoid that.

I replaced mine in my 94 last year. After removing the floor of the closet, it was a pretty straight forward exchange as noted by others in this post. After checking around I purchased mine directly from Airstream in Jackson Center OH for the same price as I found elsewhere. Giving them the year etc of yours, they will ensure the correct unit.

Perhaps I should have provided a few additional comments. First I live close to Airstream so I had no shipping to pay, but did have sales tax which would probably balance out.
2nd. The previous owner had also bypassed my water heater and only after attempting to fill it did I discover that it had a crack on the back side from freezing.
3rd. I have lived in the camper approx 4 months during this past year, 3 of them in AK and still have yet to use the water heater. When hot water is needed I simply heat what I need on the gas range. (note I have not used the shower for showering) Would I go to the trouble and expense of replacing the water heater again--probably not.

Thanks guys - good advice - not sure how to remove the floor in the closet - would it involve cutting it out? Anyway I am showering in the van so hot might be a bonus and when I come to sell her defiantly a bonus


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If your van is like ours the wood panels in closet are removed by simply removing several Phillips head screws. Our closet has several wood panels that need to be removed to access the water heater. Just take your time and remove the screws methodically, paying attention to the fact that you may have several screw lengths depending on how the panels are installed. I think we have a dozen or so screws and all the panels are able to be removed.

Good to know - I'll investigate - thanks


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