Water heater problems

[russmorgan]

Two problems with the water heater on my c34: it seems to be leaking where the engine water pipes connect, especially when the engine is running, and it blows my shore power cicuit breaker at the dock box when I try to hook it up at the A/C panel.  The Raritan tech help suggests I have a burnt-out heating element which could be replaced.  What procedures should be followed in order to fix these problems?
Russ

[Jkar]

If it were me, I would just replace the whole unit.  That is what I did 2yrs ago.  I just called Catalina and the shipped me a new unit for about $175, I then cut about 1-1/2" off of the hoses and re-clamped everything down.  Took about 30min.  Otherwise you are pulling the unit out to try and repair the heating element, then putting it back in, but you don't know if the tank itself internal is rusted out and might go on you later.  Joel

[Ken Juul]

The square Seward water heaters are usually on sale at Boat US/West Marine.  I would do some comparitive shopping.  Mine was leaking water from around the coolant tubes.  Chose to replace rather than try to fix.  Upon disection of the old unit, was glad I did rather than continually replacing temporary bandaids.

[russmorgan]

I'm all for replacing it but how does it come out?  There's a panel in front of it but it looks awfully small.

[mvazmina]

I agree with replacement. If it is the orginal heater there is probaly a rust problem somewhere. I replaced mine about a year ago with one of the round units from West. I ended up taking the sink off and also the drawer that is under the sink.the sink came up easily and gave me a chance to really clean things up. In all it was about a 2 hour job and not real hard. Just make sure the hoses from the engine are plugged or you may have to bleed the system

[Ken Juul]

The other way is to remove the door&frame.  It will slide out.  This has been written about a couple of times, try a search at the top of the page.