1995 355 WATER HEATER ISSUE

[seldomdry]

I need to replace water heater. Problem is it is mounted under the dinette. It will not fit through the floor access panel.
Help!

[km1125]

I don't know if it was the same model, but I think there's a thread here where someone took the casing off so it would fit through the access panel.

Are you 100% sure it's defective enough to warrant replacement instead of repair?

[Viper]

Ya it'll come out. I've never had to do it but I believe the thread KM is referring to is the one where the owner cut a couple of slots on the side of the hatch opening just enough so the mounting tabs on the tank would fit through the hole if I remember right. Not an easy replacement for sure but ya, like KM said, unless the tank is corroded and leaking, I would repair rather than replace.

[mjk1040]

Check under the bench seat over the hot water heater I think there's an access panel there, but may not be any bigger than the floor panel under the table. In that case you may have to disassemble it as km said and hope the replacement is more compact and will fit back in thru the floor panel.

[Viper]

The access in the bench is too small. You can use it to access the fasteners but that's about it.

[DanM]

SeldomDry,

On the 2001 356 I had, the WH had developed a leak believed to be created by a detached grounding wire. The hatch with a 1"x 1" notch cut in the hatch seating lip was the exit point. I wish I could find the pictures but so far no luck.

There was no way it would come out without the 1"x1" v-shaped notch. When the hatch was in place the notch was covered. Good luck!

[Viper]

Here is the thread showing the cut outs to get the water heater out of the hole:
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=5680&p=44440&hilit ... ter#p44440