Water Heater Replacement on 1993 TE 28

[RWhite]

Has anyone pulled out and replaced a water heater on a 1993 vintage TE28? Mine seems to be blocked somehow and cannot get water to flow through it. When I open the pressure relief valve, water will empty from the tank but nothing from the pump feed side. Looks like it needs replacement. The problem appears that where it is under the starboard helm, the room between the starboard helm deck and the hull stringer is only about 11 3/4 inches. The heater is round and looks to be taller and wider than that. I'd like to know how to get it out if anyone has done it.
Or if anyone knows if there is a check valve in the feed side of the water heater that could be replaced in place?

Thanks for any help!
Rick

[Russell]

My 97 has a check valve on the feed side. I would disconnect the line at the tank and make sure water is coming through before doing anything on the tank. The deck below the helm is removable on my boat by taking out the screws. I think that is how you get the tank out but I have not done it.

[RobS]

Do you have this hatch at the starboard footwell on your '93 ?

[RWhite]

No Such Luck! If that were there, it would be no problem to get it out. The only way to get to it is from down below through the floor hatch in the middle by the helm station. It appears it was installed before the top deck was put on without reguard for removal.

[RobS]

Ouch. I was afraid that was going to be your reply. I guess they added this access panel in later models..

[jcollins]

Run an Advanced Search for "water heater" and user: Tomcat rio.
His yard charged 25 hours labor. Also in his posts someone mentioned the on-demand, tankless heater as a replacement. I'm guessing that type of installation would be 110 volt. If you have an inverter it would work when your away from shore power.

Food for thought...


John

[RobS]

If you have an inverter it would work when your away from shore power.

John

If you have a Big Mama inverter that is..

[lpbp]

Fingers crossed mine is still working on my 94 And you have just posted one of my fears ---How do you get that out ? Keep us posted I am all ears ,,Good Luck

[RicM]

Here's an extensive thread on replacing the hot water heater on a 2003 TE. You could always just cut an access hatch, put a flange around the opening and replace with screws, much like the later molded one. Believe me, when it becomes time to get to the other plumbing components (Head) you'll be glad you did.
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2582&p=15733&hilit= ... ter#p15733

[Denis]

When I bought my 94 28TE, it had a brand new water heater already installed. I spent a lot of time under there trying to figure out how they got the new heater in there. I saw no scratches on the new heater, no scuff marks on any of the surrounding areas and I have no idea how they did it. It's one of those mysteries that you have to see to believe. But the bottom line is it can be done. Good luck.

[RicM]

Access to that area can also be obtained by removing the tackle drawer unit that faces aft under the helm seat (4 screws). Depending on surrounding equipment you could probably get the water tank in & out there. In my boat the Vacu-flush unit would be in the way and have to be removed first. Perhaps that's why they added the access hatch, when they began offering the vacu-flush option?

[RWhite]

Thanks for all the input. The first thing I'll check is the inlet and outflow to see if there is a blockage. If I can't correct it there, a hole cut at the helm station floor sounds like a good option. I'll post how I make out when I make some progress.

[RobS]

Is there a date on the water heater? Are you sure it's original? If it's not and it was able to fit it after the boat was built than it must come out too. One of the reasons I ask is that the 28's I have been on have square tank heaters, not round..

[jcollins]

Mine is round. I'll take pictures this weekend since I'll be winterizing. I feel the grumpy season coming on.

[RobS]

Mine is round.....

Well that probably answers my questions since your boat is closer to his model year.