ejforwood
Littleton (Denver) Colorado
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Joined: 04/26/2006
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Go to the lawn sprinkler department at Home Depot.
They have a T-handle tool that is used to remove the plastic parts of the sprinklers. Works great to remove plastic water heater drain plugs too!
Jerry, Dottie & Chan, "the little furry one"
98 Bounder 34V, 99 F-53 Ford V10 chassis
06 Saturn VUE 4I
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fredbert
New Jersey, near New York City
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Joined: 01/21/2005
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pcm1959 wrote:Oh, man! WIsh I had some advise on how to get it out. However, reading your dilema just made me REALLY glad about the $6 I spent at Camping World last week for a brass quick drain water heater drain plug. Good luck. PCM
I've been looking for such an animal! Have a link or part number to share? 
2006.9 CrossRoads Cruiser CF26RK (2007 with stale 2005 tires, shame on you CrossRoads!)
2005 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT Quad Cab 4X2 SWB, Cummins Turbo Diesel / 48RE.
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Hurricaner
Hurricane Utah
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Joined: 02/17/2007
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Another method is to heat it with a barbecue lighter and yank it out with needle nose pliers. Replace the plug every couple of years and it will not break.
Sam
Sam & Kari
Hurricane, Utah
2004 34' Damon Challenger 315
Damon owners forum
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wolfe10
Texas
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Joined: 10/08/2000
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I know it will probably sound extravagant, but I blow the budget and spend $1 each year on a new Atwood Nylon drain plug. Never had one break.
Brett Wolfe
1993 Foretravel 36' U-240
Cat 3116, Allison 3060
Caterpillar RV Engine Owner's Club: www.catrvclub.org
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rjcalif
Garlic Capital of the World - Gilroy, CA
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Had one break on a previous RV several years ago. Used the hacksaw method and then a pin punch and small hammer to break the chunks out. The only other thing I really suggest is connect a hose to your fresh water inlet and have water flowing at a steady state. It should run right out of the water heater. This way any pieces that might try to fall inside wash right out just as quick. If you are in a dry area, recover the water and use to water plants or lawn.
RJ.... + wife + 2 teenage boys (13 & 15) + 2 dogs (1 big & 1 small)
2000 American Eagle 40DS and 2000 Suburban 2500 4x4 aka: super toad (looks small.. don't it)
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JoyandCon
Franklin, WI
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Joined: 06/01/2004
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Have heard some say two different metals (brass and aluminum) should not be together. I believe if you use pipe tape it is ok.
Anyone else have comments?
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sagexpman
Loveland, Colorado
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Yup, this will work great
1998 HD Chevy Silverado 2500
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wolfe10
Texas
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JoyandCon wrote:Have heard some say two different metals (brass and aluminum) should not be together. I believe if you use pipe tape it is ok.
Anyone else have comments?
Wrong. Teflon tape will NOT electrically isolate the two. Easy to verify with an ohm meter. You WILL find continuity between the two.
And yes, combining two dissimilar metals WILL result in galvanic reaction. That is why they put Zincs on boats-- they are a sacrificial element. If you combine brass with an aluminum tank, the aluminum tank (and threads in particular) will sacrifice themselves to "protect" the brass plug. Brass is the "more noble" metal.
Many factors affect how long it would take for the galvanic action to ruin the tank. Mineral content of the water, whether you store the tank full or drain it every time, etc.
So using a metal drain plug falls into the category of "getting away with it", not "it was designed for it".
You will find that Atwood only makes and sells the inexpensive Nylon plugs. If other more expensive alternatives were acceptable to them, they would certainly offer them and make a profit on them.
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Dr Quick
M'boron, Tn
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Joined: 08/25/2004
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I had the same problem, the end of the plug broke off and nothing to grab on to.
I used a hack saw blade and made cuts at 1/4 points on two sides. Then used a pick or a small screw driver to break out small section, the rest came out easy. Just do not saw too deep and mess up threads.
Installed a "Pex" 1/2 inch valve that I got from Lowes and used silicone to ensure no leaks. Take off valve handle and used a combination box/open end wrench by putting it straight on valve as clearance is limited, and stick a screw driver in the box end to tighten.
Mine works fine and no more drain plug problems.
Dr quick
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