Removing stuck water-heater to fix pex tubing

[wchoe]

The pex tubing connecting to my Suburban SW6 water-heater is leaking and I need to remove it to access the tubing. This is on a 2008 Gulfstream Vista Mini Cruiser on a 3500 Sprinter chassis.

After removing all the screws on the metal-frame in front, and the 3 retaining-screws on the water-heater, I can't remove the metal-frame to pull out the heater.

I have tried cutting the caulking around the metal-frame and used a pry-bar, but it is still stuck.

Please let me know if someone has experience working on this.

Thanks

[RY469]

The water heater is typically sealed with butyl tape. This stuff is REALLY sticky. Have you tried using a plastic scraper / putty knife and going all the way around the front flange to cut the seal between it and the RV? You can use metal if careful, it will scratch. Plastic is safer. Once the putty is cut all the way around, the unit should just pull out the front.

[Gingersdad]

Originally Posted by wchoe

The pex tubing connecting to my Suburban SW6 water-heater is leaking and I need to remove it to access the tubing. This is on a 2008 Gulfstream Vista Mini Cruiser on a 3500 Sprinter chassis.

After removing all the screws on the metal-frame in front, and the 3 retaining-screws on the water-heater, I can't remove the metal-frame to pull out the heater.

I have tried cutting the caulking around the metal-frame and used a pry-bar, but it is still stuck.

Please let me know if someone has experience working on this.

Thanks

As mentioned, that tape is very sticky and can be difficult. Might try a hair dryer to soften it up.