Anode rod

[Steve and Cindy]

Our 2000 London Aire has the grossest smell coming out with the hot water. Opened the drain thing on the tank to see about replacing the anode Rod and there was no rod. Just the worst smell ever flooded the area. LOL. My question is if it’s normal for there to be no anode Rod. Here is a pic of the tank.

 

[Scotttkd2]

Try to locate make and model of the hot water heater, not all hot water heaters use an anode (most but not all). That may just be the drain, and the tank can develop quite a stink over time if not flushed regularly. Your whole fresh water system could probably use a good flush/sanitize. It's entirely possible the entire rod is eaten away as well, hence the get a model number and find out for sure. A mobile tech may be able to help you sort it out if your unfamiliar.

 

[Joe Hogan]

Here is some information Your RV Water Heater Anode Rod Replacement Guide

 

[Joe Hogan]

 

[Steve and Cindy]

Thanks for the responses. Last night i bought one of those wands that you screw onto a water hose and stuck it in the tank and washed out a crapload of black chunks of something and a pile of black water. Then I ran 40 gallons of water and bleach (50-1 mix) through the system. Seems to have cleared up the smell. I let the mixture sit in the hot water tank and the gray water tank overnight. Seems to have fixed the problem. I’ll do it again in a few weeks and again before I winterize.

 

[Steve and Cindy]

Oops…..not a 50-1 mix. I meant 1 cup of regular bleach to 50 gallons of water.