Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    longvilleplumbr's Avatar
    longvilleplumbr Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Oct 10, 2009, 08:02 PM
    Changing a combo anode
    I have disconnected the hot water side of an AOSmith water heater, I have verified that I have a combo anode. How do I pull the anode out? I grabbed the plastic lip with a pliers and half of it ripped off, there is no hex nut.
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #2

    Oct 11, 2009, 04:40 AM
    Hi Longville:

    The AO smith combo anode rod can be a pain as you now know!

    See the image below...

    You can see there is a hole(s) in the plastic connector just in between the nipple and the anode rod. You need to make a tool so that the end is bent and strong, but can slip down inside the plastic and engage that hole. Once you connect into the hole with the right tool you should be able to "YANK" that baby up and out of there!

    Sometimes a metal clothes hanger will work and other times you need thicker metal such as a threaded rod (sold at all home supply stores).

    They also make a few tools out there with crooked ends... see image. Something like this (only bigger) would also work.

    If these ideas fail, pop back ane let us know I have one more idea, but only a last resort type idea... ;)

    Let us know how you make out... O.K.?

    MARK

    .
    Attached Images
      
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
    Uber Member
    		  
    #3

    Oct 11, 2009, 07:00 PM

    Yuk! My $.02
    letmetellu's Avatar
    letmetellu Posts: 3,151, Reputation: 317
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #4

    Oct 11, 2009, 08:38 PM

    To remove this anode rod from the water heater you have to use a pipe wrench and unscrew the nipple that is in the water heater. The white plastic that you can see is a protecter of the galavanized nipple.

    So unscrew the nipple and the rod and all will come out.
    afaroo's Avatar
    afaroo Posts: 4,006, Reputation: 251
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #5

    Oct 11, 2009, 09:12 PM

    You mean the Anode rod is separeted from the nipple see the image below, if so follow Mark's instruction if that will not work pop back I am sure Mark has another option,good luck.

    John
    Attached Images
     
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Sacrificial anode replacement [ 11 Answers ]

Here is my situation. My hot water will develop a distinctly unpleasant smell. I drain the hotwater heater and the problem goes away for several weeks, only to slowly return. I understand that a "worn out" sac anode can cause this. Is that true? If so, then how much trouble is it to replace...

Anode rods [ 1 Answers ]

Do all hot water heaters have 'anode rods'? My husband thinks our new one does not because there is no similar place on top of the unit like the last one.

Water heater anode [ 1 Answers ]

How do I change the anode in my water heater?

New anode rod = foul odor [ 1 Answers ]

With the assistance posted here I was able to remove the old anode rod from my water heater and install a new one. The old one was down to a steel wire -- I have no idea how long it was in there. Since installing the new one we've been getting a foul odor from the hot water. It has been getting...

Removing anode rod... [ 6 Answers ]

... from a hot water heater shouldn't be this tough? Is there some trick or tool that I need? I put a monkey wrench on it, put a pipe in the wrench and can't budge it; the water heater is rocking but the rod won't come lose. (I have no idea how long it's been in there.) Should I drill a hole...

View more questions Search