Leaking warm water heater on a Sealine F37

[scubaman]

Dear All,

I woke up this morning to find that the void under the galley sole had a couple of centimeters water in it.

As far as I can tell, I would seem that the water comes from where the immersion heater enters the boiler. The immersion heater is some 7 - 8 centimeters in diameter with wiring in the middle of the top end. The top itself is shaped as a bolt and my guess is that it is screwed into a 'collar' on the boiler side. My further guess is that there is a sealant between the collar and the bolt-shaped immersion heater, and that the sealant is now leaking. It's a bit difficult to get at without removing the boiler.

I hope my explanation wasn't too complicated, but can anyone confirm the construction or has anyone had similar grief with their boiler?

 

[dhobyb]

Just had the same problem, the leak was at the top of the boiler, where the immersion heater coil is located, the fibre seal had broken and water was leaking at the break.
I also had a faulty heater....but that is another story, the upshot is that you have to remove the heater to replace the washer, the washer and the special tool required can be obtained from a plumber, or B&Q. Or if you anywhere near Shamrock Quay I can lend you one I bought. ( the tool that is)
Access is through the mid cabin, lift the cushion, and remove the storage container, assess is then gained, replacement is straight forward, although on mine the gas alarm power was taken off the same plug as the heater.

Caution: Drain the hot water before starting as the tank is pressurised, and switch off the water pump (learned the hard way).

I obtained the new coil from Nick at Seabridge Marine, might be worth considering replacing the complete heater unit, could save a job later on.

 

[DavidJ]

I had to replace my element on my S37. I didn't use sealent the first time round and still had a leak so used red heamatite (Halfords) the second time and all has been OK for last 5 years. No need to buy a new unit, I remember they were quite expensive. You can buy a new gasket from Wickes, B&Q etc along with your 'tool'

 

[scubaman]

Thanks, from your description I'm hopeful that the same fix would work here as your description (and DavidJ's) sounds reassuringly similar to mine.

Or if you anywhere near Shamrock Quay I can lend you one I bought. ( the tool that is)

Thanks for your offer, I appreciate that. I'll see if I can find one closer first, although I definitely wouldn't mind being boating over there!