Water Heaters - AO Smith water heater,plastic tube from inside came out.
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norwayspruce195
12-13-07, 11:45 AM
I have an AO Smith water heater model # EES 52 and is about 10 years old. The bottom element went out and I proceeded to replace it and looked into the hole and there was a 1/2 inch plastic pipe laying in there. I fished it out and it is about 2 ft long and has deteriated badly. What is this?? Is it important for my water heater?? any advice would be helpful. Thank You in advance. Kevin Kelly
Civicminded
12-13-07, 03:08 PM
The part you found is the dip tube, it directs the incoming cold water to the botom of the heater. AO smith had many defective plastic diptubes from 1993-1997. Search for AO smith diptube failures and you will find lots of info on it.
The diptube failure can cause lack of hot water, and or particles in the water clogging up your fixtures. The particles are supposedly non toxic.
The info I found says to replace the heater and flush your hot water lines to remove the plastic debris. There was a class action lawsuit on this but your heater sounds like its well beyond the limit for reimbursment.
Goodluck.
The diptube failure can cause lack of hot water, and or particles in the water clogging up your fixtures. The particles are supposedly non toxic.
The info I found says to replace the heater and flush your hot water lines to remove the plastic debris. There was a class action lawsuit on this but your heater sounds like its well beyond the limit for reimbursment.
Goodluck.
radioconnection
12-17-07, 09:56 AM
The dip tube is easy to change and is inexpensive. You may have to flush the tank a few times to get all of the particles out.
Regarding the tank: Have you been checking the sacrificial anode on a regular basis? If not, the anode is probably also gone, and at ten years old it might be wise just to put in a newer unit.
Regarding the tank: Have you been checking the sacrificial anode on a regular basis? If not, the anode is probably also gone, and at ten years old it might be wise just to put in a newer unit.