LEAKING SUBURBAN HOT WATER SERVICE.

Rheo47 · Veteran Member

LEAKING SUBURBAN HOT WATER SERVICE.

oldbobsbus · Guru

Hi John, they have a ceramic lined steel tank.
Pity it isn't a gas/12v body you need as I have a new body only instock that I bought when my PCB and gas valve assembly tossed in the towel and it was cheaper to buy the whole assembly that the 2 parts I needed..

Sparkster · Senior Member

G'day John.

A couple of questions,

How old is the heater/van?

Have you ever changed the anode?

Are you sure it's not just the pressure relief valve venting? Some van builders let the valve just relieve onto the floor of the installation.

Keith.... cry

Crackles · Veteran Member

John,

Unfortunately just two weeks ago I had exactly the same problem.

I searched everywhere for the leak, replaced the hot water inlet but in the end the only option was to pull the old Suburban out and removed the foam casing, it revealed the rust on the bottom (Stainless Steel I don't think) and the actual leak was around the base of the cold water inlet not the fitting. So I ordered a new SW6DEA Suburban 22Ltr and fitted it myself. I was advised to get the gas connected by a gas fitter and the Electrics by Electrician so that was easy in the bush

Cheer Crackles

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Sparkster wrote:
G'day John.
A couple of questions,
How old is the heater/van?
Have you ever changed the anode?
Are you sure it's not just the pressure relief valve venting? Some van builders let the valve just relieve onto the floor of the installation.
Keith....

the ceramic lined tanks do not have an anode

ParamountCruiser · Senior Member

_wombat_ wrote:
the ceramic lined tanks do not have an anode

Surburban HWS tanks are ceramic lined and they have an anode.

deverall11 · Guru

If you need a replacement, I would be looking at a 'tankless' unit. It fits in exactly the same place as the existing Suburban and cost about the same if not less.
www.ebay.com.au/itm/like/181219000651

Larry

Sparkster · Senior Member

The reason for the sacrificial anode is to deposit itself onto where the "ceramic" or vitreous enamal has failed.

Similar to household water heaters the anode needs replacement to protect the steel tank.

That was the reason for that question, if the anode has never been replaced and is a bit old and gone then there can be bare steel tank exposed to the dodgy water.

Having said that, like stainless steel tanks they don't last forever unfortunately.

Keith.... smile

-- Edited by Sparkster on Wednesday 16th of April 2014 02:00:51 PM

ken thomas · Guru

I had my suburban tank replaced when it sprung a leak, was about 18 months old and rang suburban and they replaced it under warranty.
They sent another one after I sent them a copy of my receipt from the purchase of the van
delivered within the week and I replaced it
Very happy with the service so if not to old contact the man'f
Ken

oldbobsbus · Guru

Sparkster wrote:
The reason for the sacrificial anode is to deposit itself onto where the "ceramic" or vitreous enamal has failed.
Similar to household water heaters the anode needs replacement to protect the steel tank.
That was the reason for that question, if the anode has never been replaced and is a bit old and gone then there can be bare steel tank exposed to the dodgy water.
Having said that, like stainless steel tanks they don't last forever unfortunately.
Keith....

Keith your posts are very hard to read..

Could you please double the size of the font or revert to the default font.. biggrin

Sparkster · Senior Member

Sorry oldbob is my previous post better now?

Keith.... biggrin

oldbobsbus · Guru

Sparkster wrote:
Sorry oldbob is my previous post better now?
Keith....

Not too much of this old bit biggrin biggrin

Yep that's better.. Comic Sans is always hard to read unless it is large and in bold.. smile

Sparkster · Senior Member

OOOOPS! Sorry OldBob.

Happy Easter-hope the Easter Bunny is good to you.

Keith.... disbelief

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Sparkster wrote:
OOOOPS! Sorry OldBob.
Happy Easter-hope the Easter Bunny is good to you.
Keith....

you are right, he is an old phart biggrin biggrin

oldbobsbus · Guru

_wombat_ wrote:
Sparkster wrote:
OOOOPS! Sorry OldBob.
Happy Easter-hope the Easter Bunny is good to you.
Keith....
you are right, he is an old phart

Much more of your cheek and I'll get a copy of Dougs scoop and come looking for ya biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

oldbobsbus wrote:
_wombat_ wrote:
Sparkster wrote:
OOOOPS! Sorry OldBob.
Happy Easter-hope the Easter Bunny is good to you.
Keith....
you are right, he is an old phart
Much more of your cheek and I'll get a copy of Dougs scoop and come looking for ya

have you heard of the problems Dougwe is having with his tug? I told him it was all to do with his bloody wombat scoop, all he needs to do is take it off and his tug will be fixed. biggrin biggrin

Dougwe · Chief one feather

oldbobsbus wrote:
_wombat_ wrote:
Sparkster wrote:
OOOOPS! Sorry OldBob.
Happy Easter-hope the Easter Bunny is good to you.
Keith....
you are right, he is an old phart
Much more of your cheek and I'll get a copy of Dougs scoop and come looking for ya

I have put one free of charge in the mail Bob. No need for distructions as it comes with all fittings needed and are self explanatory. It only scoops one way too.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Dougwe wrote:
oldbobsbus wrote:
_wombat_ wrote:
Sparkster wrote:
OOOOPS! Sorry OldBob.
Happy Easter-hope the Easter Bunny is good to you.
Keith....
you are right, he is an old phart
Much more of your cheek and I'll get a copy of Dougs scoop and come looking for ya
I have put one free of charge in the mail Bob. No need for distructions as it comes with all fittings needed and are self explanatory. It only scoops one way too.

SEE OLDBOB, you are getting one for free, that just shows you how much they are worth, sweet f all. biggrin biggrin

I can't work out how Dougwe is saying "It only scoops one way two" does not make sense to me. biggrin

rockylizard · Guru

Rheo47 wrote:
On the way to Karumba QLD for the dry season FISHIGN / CRABBING ETC. Had to go into Mount Isa to fix faulty fridge in Van (Another story).
Just found out that Suburban Hot water service gas and 240 electricity 22 litre has sprung a leak. Checked all the water connection, they seem OK The Leak seems to be coming from the bottom of the unit. Guess I will have to take out the unit when I get to Karumba to locate the leak, On line investigation says they have a ceramic lined stainless steel system so should not leak ??
Does anybody have any suggestions. HELP
John

Gday...

Just thought I'd remind us all what the OP's origianl question was.

Cheers - John

Sparkster · Senior Member

Actually I was just thinking the same thing but he hasn't come back on to answer a couple of "helping hand" questions so he must have got his answer somewhere.

Keith.... smile

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

Or lost interest cry hmm

Cheers - John

oldbobsbus · Guru

Dougwe wrote:
oldbobsbus wrote:
_wombat_ wrote:
Sparkster wrote:
OOOOPS! Sorry OldBob.
Happy Easter-hope the Easter Bunny is good to you.
Keith....
you are right, he is an old phart
Much more of your cheek and I'll get a copy of Dougs scoop and come looking for ya
I have put one free of charge in the mail Bob. No need for distructions as it comes with all fittings needed and are self explanatory. It only scoops one way too.

Thanks Doug, he's my mate again today so don't rush into posting it.. biggrin biggrin biggrin