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[Bigron]

It all started when the hot water ran cold. On testing, I found the thermostat to be faulty - great, I thought, an easy job and fairly cheap.
Ok, stat fitted, water heats, but only enough for half a bath before the water ran cold.
I took the cover off the immersion to check the temperature setting and found it was half full of water!!!
Switched off immediately and saw that it was coming up from the thermostat tube in the immersion.
First question; why should this be, when it had been perfectly dry up until then? Ho sign of corrosion on the old stat.
With the gate valve closed and some clear plastic tubing over the stat tube, water rises in the plastic to the level of the top copper pipe. Does this mean that the tank is full to this level and opening the bathroom and kitchen taps was not sufficient to lower the tank water level more than this?
So I DO need a new immersion heater after all, and now begins the swearing.......
I Googled ways to undo the old one without damage to the tank and got conflicting recommendations.
I have tried using a spanner made from a hexagon stamped out of thick steel, but it didn't fit my immersion hexagon very well and kept slipping off, so I plan to get one of those box spanner types, which surely must be better?
Google suggests playing a blowtorch on the immersion hexagon, but the idea frightens me - what do you think, any methods known to work?
Sorry for the length of this post, gents (and ladies?), but I want/need a bath soon!!!

Ron.

[Marks DTM Calib]

I have done a few and the box spanner is the weapon of choice.

The trick that has always worked for me is the 'short sharp shock' e.g. hit the handle of the box spanner with a hammer to shock it loose, the tanks will take MUCH more abuse than you will give them credit for.

Also, get an Incalloy replacement element as they last much longer.

Given yours sounds like a side entry one, is there two fitted (top and bottom)?

[martin42]

Box spanner,when replacing put some boss white paste when the gasket sits,then some on the gasket where it meets the cylinder and also a smear on the thread,dont get carried away tightening it up,over tighten it,if gate valve isnt holding,drain storage tank and cylinder,unless you fancy changing it with 50 gallons off water in it,when you find out it doesnt fill up once turned off.
Ive changed them like that,but you have to be quick and not afraid to get wet