badams49

[badams49]

The anode plug on a 17 year old gas water heater has a slight leak. I wanted to remove it and reseal the threads. I used an 1/2" X 18 torque bar with a 30" cheater pipe and could not budge the nut. Any suggestions?

[jadnashua]

Budget for a new WH soon. If it is rusting and leaking there, the anode is long gone, and replacing it probably won't help much. To get it out, you may need an impact wrench and a lot of luck. If you use much more torque, you'll need someone to hold the tank so you don't twist off the connections to the water and gas, creating even more problems.

[Redwood]

I wouldn't touch it until a new one is along side it ready for replacing it and I'd do it soon...