Immersion heater

[lc04]

My immersion heater has stopped heating water. I have changed the thermostat (easiest quickest sloution?) but still no hot water.

I have now drained the tank, (purchased a box spanner to remove the element but it will not budge despite intense efforts to shift it, whilst the tank was full for extra rigidity as suggested elsewhere)

I know they un screw anti clock wise, any tips for getting these bastards out? without wrecking the tank.
Thanks in advance, anyone?

 

[ChrisR]

Best tool by miles is a cast iron thing you can hit with a hammer. Not madly hard but eventually they move.

Next best is a box spanner ans a long long stillson over that. With steady pressure, the gooey compounds often move slowly

If it's been put in with sealing compound like boss-white, it'll need to be softened with heat (blowlamp). You may need to let some water out first.
Watch the insulation - it burns badly!

There are more radical techniques involving a jigsaw or a dremel...

 

[lc04]

Best tool by miles is a cast iron thing you can hit with a hammer. Not madly hard but eventually they move.

Next best is a box spanner ans a long long stillson over that. With steady pressure, the gooey compounds often move slowly

If it's been put in with sealing compound like boss-white, it'll need to be softened with heat (blowlamp). You may need to let some water out first.
Watch the insulation - it burns badly!

There are more radical techniques involving a jigsaw or a dremel...

My tank has the element right at the bottom of the tank, hence emptying otherwise it I'll have x number of litres of water all over the shop.
So the best option is the ring spanner available from leading merchants and some reasonable force. Using a blow torch would surely ignite the insulation.

 

[lc04]

Best tool by miles is a cast iron thing you can hit with a hammer. Not madly hard but eventually they move.

Next best is a box spanner ans a long long stillson over that. With steady pressure, the gooey compounds often move slowly

If it's been put in with sealing compound like boss-white, it'll need to be softened with heat (blowlamp). You may need to let some water out first.
Watch the insulation - it burns badly!

There are more radical techniques involving a jigsaw or a dremel...

My tank has the element right at the bottom of the tank, hence emptying otherwise it I'll have x number of litres of water all over the shop.
So the best option is the ring spanner available from leading merchants and some reasonable force. Using a blow torch would surely ignite the insulation.

*bump*

 

[ChrisR]

So the best option is the ring spanner available from leading merchants and some reasonable force.

not what I said

Using a blow torch would surely ignite the insulation.

If you're careless, sure.

 

[lc04]

So the best option is the ring spanner available from leading merchants and some reasonable force.

not what I said

Very true, cast iron thingy??

Using a blow torch would surely ignite the insulation.

If you're careless, sure.

Thanks so far, brute force and possibly a whole new tank then..

 

[lc04]

Phew, changing the 'stat alone did the trick, nee need for any of the above. Cheers.

 

[Softus]

I have changed the thermostat (easiest quickest sloution?) but still no hot water.

Phew, changing the 'stat alone did the trick, nee need for any of the above. Cheers.

 

[timmy74]

a blow torch usually does the trick for me

 

[lc04]

I have changed the thermostat (easiest quickest sloution?) but still no hot water.

Phew, changing the 'stat alone did the trick, nee need for any of the above. Cheers.

Why the it took hours to produce any hot water.