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How to remove a stuck heating element from an electric water heater?

I was able to unscrew the lower heating element (using the large hexagonal pipe socket) but the upper element is unmovable despite using pipe wrench, hammer, and the combined force of two large men, etc. It is unmovable and the brand new pipe socket just pops off one maximum pressure is applied. Is there anything I can do besides buy a new water heater? (The element is definitely not working)

you have to break the corrosion in the threads. try some penetrating oil(3-in-1, Liquid Wrench) or WD-40, allow it to soak around the threads. tap with a hammer.
apply heat via propane torch around the edges of the threads, without melting the plastic parts of the element. use a pipe wrench around the pipe socket, and add a 1′ piece of pipe over the pipe wrench handle to increase leverage. tap that with a hammer.
if you have that much corrosion, there may be more than just the element shot: the sacrificial rod, inner skin. if the heater is more than 10-12yrs old, probably time for a new one.
Hope that helps.

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 11th, 2010 at 10:19 pm and is filed under element. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

2 Responses to “How to remove a stuck heating element from an electric water heater?”

  1. Woodwerks Says:
    February 12th, 2010 at 3:26 am

    you have to break the corrosion in the threads. try some penetrating oil(3-in-1, Liquid Wrench) or WD-40, allow it to soak around the threads. tap with a hammer.
    apply heat via propane torch around the edges of the threads, without melting the plastic parts of the element. use a pipe wrench around the pipe socket, and add a 1′ piece of pipe over the pipe wrench handle to increase leverage. tap that with a hammer.
    if you have that much corrosion, there may be more than just the element shot: the sacrificial rod, inner skin. if the heater is more than 10-12yrs old, probably time for a new one.
    Hope that helps.
    References :

  2. Pauline Says:
    February 12th, 2010 at 3:51 am

    Agreed; WD40/penetrating oil plus "Tapping" the immersion spanner with a hammer, to apply torque in short sharp bursts rather than brute strength.

    References :
    I’ve had to get a few off in my time and I hated every one of ‘em. Last one I did was so old the controls were in Fahrenheit…

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