immersion heater change

[taffy11]

hi, i went to change my immersion heater so i tried to loosen it but wouldnt loosen so went to drain it thru the drain off plug, i unscrewed it there was no water coming out so i put my finger in and felt a little poky thing so i pushed and water came rushing out so i put a hose on it, but the immersion still would'nt loosen so i have no water and want to put it together but water wont stop coming out. does any1 now what that thing is called in the drain off plug? and can i replace it? thanks alot if u can help me!

[raysparx1]

taffy, you will probaly have to change the drain off plug itself, you will never take the immersion heater out of an empty tank,it will twist or buckle the cylinder, when you have replaced the plug,refill tank and try to tighten immersion just a tiny bit,this often loosens it, if that doesnt work, warm around the flange with a blow lamp, let us know how you get on, Ray

[taffy11]

thank u ray will do!!

[gasman]

If you have bought one of those DIY immersion spanners from a local DIY shop, and it is a tad on the short side. Then use a hollow bar over the handle for better leverage or a pair of stillsons on the handle. but do as Ray suggests first ( very important ) before attempting to take it out.