1995 Ford Chateau Water Heater...

[KevinAydel]

I just recently purchased a 95 Chateau and this past weekend on a trip noticed a wet spot on the carpet, after a little bit of investigating i notice that the cardboard surrounding the holding tank for the water heater was wet at the bottom... How can i fix this? is it expensive? Please help!

Thank you in advance!

 

[Molaker]

Hard to say without more investigation.  It could be a simple tubing fitting leaking or could be a hole in the tank.  You are going to have to open up whatever access you can to see what's going on.  Try removing cabinet drawers and also look for blank access panels held in place by screws.

 

[KevinAydel]

I took out the drawers, and couldn't see anything. When I opened the cabinet door below the sink, I could see the tank. I checked the valves and they seemed to be fine, I am going to check the fittings that connect the supply lines to the tank tonight and see if that is where the problem is. If not I guess i might have to replace the Water Heater... I am new to this whole motor-home owner thing. How much does a new water heater cost?

 

[Molaker]

New WH costs about $400-$700 (depending on make/model) plus install.  But, I wouldn't be too quick to throw out your old WH.  Did you have water pressure while you were looking?  It's entirely possible it doesn't leak without pressure, making it more difficult to find and, it's still possible it is not the WH leaking.  Hook up to city water so you have good pressure and look some more.  FYI - here's a link to Camping World's site showing what the WHs look like.  They are usually removed out the outside vent opening.

 

[KevinAydel]

I just got off the phone with the dealer who I bought it from 2 months ago, they are going to look at it... I guess we will see what they say. Thanks you your help and input!!! This site looks to be very helpful for me!!

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Leaks in the heater tank itself are rare, but yours is 18 years old so its possible.

RV dealer shops are typically short of diagnosis and long on replacing things willie-nillie, so be careful. It is far more likely a leaky connection in the heater bypass valve system than a bad heater tank.