Replacing water heater door

[Kirah]

So... my water heater door fell off somewhere last night. It had been damaged previously, but I'd forgotten that and failed to check up on it after I had it in for some service, so here we are, doorless.

Poking around on the interwebs, it looks like there are a few variations on these doors, with the main differences being flush mount or surface mount, the size of the heater, and of course, color.

So I made some guesses. This is what I'm thinking about ordering - does this look right to you?
https://www.amazon.com/Suburban-6255APW ... 002UC4SIG/

[HoosierB]

Kirah, same thing happened to me. The Amazon item you posted should work, but you're also paying for the outer flange which is most likely still attached to your rig. I usually find better deals at local RV surplus stores. Bought a new door (no flange) for $15.

[Kirah]

Thanks! I'll check around.

[Scott]

Try one of these...
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=608&p=4635&hilit=heater#p4635

[Chinnin-about]

This is what I'm thinking about ordering

I think I have one, looks just like that. When I replaced the hot water heater on my previous Chinook, it came with a new one, and the old one was in pretty good shape. I painted it the same color as the cab, and put it in storage. You are welcome to it.

[Blue~Go]

That's the one! In fact when I went to that link, I got the "you purchased this item on..."

If you want to make sure the new one doesn't get "lost," you can put a bit of gear tie, a knot, or something in the hole of the twist handle so that it can't go back through the slot. Then it can't fall off.

Note that Chinook put the original frame on with silicone (grrr). If the outer frame is fine you can just use the inner door from the new one (I used the whole frame because PO's water had something in it that damaged the paint on the frame).

[Skillet]

Blu: At some point I have to change my water heater (still in a box for about a year now) and was curious if you did careful scraping around the frame to get it loose from the silicone or some other trick?

[Kirah]

Quick update: Ended up getting the whole door, frame and all, and replaced the whole thing. The new door would have fit perfectly, but it looked really weird - bright white against a rather badly discolored frame. So, since I had it, I replaced it.

Took longer to scrape out the mountain of silicone that had been used to seal the original frame to the shell than to do anything else. The silicone was rather messily done, using way more than was required just to seal out water. I was not trying to save the frame, so I just backed out the three screws holding it on and then used the back side of a hammer to pry it off. I slightly bent the inside of the frame, but it could have been bent back and re-used, I think.

Quick job, just required a little scraping and patience.

So glad fall finally showed up so I can dive into project and camping season again

[Blue~Go]

Yay, done!

I didn't see your earlier question until now, but yeah, that frame was mangled by the time I got it off. Silicone, boo!

Since I already had a new frame and door, I mostly concentrated on not scraping the fiberglass, and let the door bear the brunt of the indignity. It looked like a pretzel by the time I heaved it into the dumpster.

Glad Chinook didn't use silicone in very many places. Gawd.

[Kirah]

Wow. Sounds like mine came out much easier than Blue's.

Moving trash from my car to my home bin this morning, stopped to take a picture of what came off.

Not quite square any more