I would wire brush the anode clean and reinstall it... Have you changed water supplies, type of anode or if drain it after use will all affect its lifespan...
FWIW I've always been told teflon tape doesnt seal threads it only lubricates to help thread deformation on the second and third threads on npt... This is why most plumbers use the correct paste for the application...
Ditto on the goop. My rig is 4 years old now and it is due for a new rod by the looks of it. Going to replace it as soon as I get around to picking up a new one.
rbp111 wrote: Is this normal? Or is the rod defective? Or is the calcium covering the rod "protecting the rod"? I scraped rod to remove most of the calcium. It is going to be interesting to see if the rod was protected.
Just curious...Did you notice the threads were more rusted than usual? A previous trailer I bought (used), had a anode that didn't seem to wear. After a couple of years, I noticed the threads rusted pretty badly. I replaced the anode rod with a magnesium job, and cleaned up the threads with a Dremel wire brush. The threads didn't seem to corrode as badly, and the rod wore faster.
'12 F350 SB, CC, SRW, 6.7 PSD, 3.55 RAR, 6 spd auto, Ultimate Lariat pkg
2011 Open Range 393RLS 14,250 GVWR
Pullrite Super Glide 18K
Anodes are inexpensive..New Tanks are very expensive.
IMHO Replace it annually or sooner, whether it needs it or not!
Don't wait until it looks like a Rusted piece of Coat Hanger!
Rob & Jean
98 Dutch Star Diesel Pusher ..92 Tracker 4X2
My anode rod became almost completely corroded after only one season of use. I already purchased a new one for de-winterizing. I don't go to many campgrounds with water hook-ups, so most of my water comes from home, and the water (well) is ultra-hard here.
Gary Shapiro
Col. Dash - GSD, DOTL Rainbow Division, in my heart forever
Spc. Lily - 10-year-old Greyhound (Racing School drop-out)
Spc. Molly - 9-year-old Shepherd/Husky Mix (aka Honey Badger)
Shadow - 1 1/2-year-old Greyhound 2011 Georgetown 280DS Class A
I had a little bit of tape on the threads, that is all. So little that abut half were not covered at all. As a matter of fact, I put the rod back in without anything on it. I made sure it wasn't leaking, but there is no teflon tape nor goop.
Second of all, I don't remember what type of anode rod. I had purchased it, I think at CW, but am not sure.
Also, speaking of tape etc., the threads were in fact rusted. But in my opinion, not excessively so. I will try the anode rod for 6 months, then will check it out. I will probably change it out and check the type of anode rod it is.
Also there's a lot of difference between a water heater that is left full all the time and one drained after each use. One of My PopUp's used the same rod for 8 years and was still 1/2 of it left.
robatthelake wrote: IMHO Replace it annually or sooner, whether it needs it or not!
If it doesn't, that may be a problem.
I get a weekly RV newsletter which talked about this.. and I have just come to realize my anode rod hasn't deteriorated much in 2 years. And I have a LOT of sediment in the tank. I hope this isn't a big ..Oops!
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