Removing Dip tube- Cant removes as threads seem stuck...

[Ludington]

Did you ever check for power? After the top runs and turns off ?

 

[sarg]

Cannot be that complicated.
Bad element
Bad thermostat
Broken dip tube
Bad wire i.e. as Ludington implies ... no power.
What else is there ?

 

[Ludington]

I would bet money, that bottom element isn't firing. If he is getting a few gallons of hot, then nothing, it seems the top is working, even if the dip tube is broke, the top should fire when it runs out of hot water, then the bottom should fire. So, bad thermostat (top or bottom) or bad wire.

 

[MicEd69]

He says his hot water runs out really fast, but then says he can't fill a standard tub anymore. I've never seen a dip tube broken off halfway down, so if it is broken off at the top, he would be running out of hot water super-fast! I think Ludington is right.

And issues like this are why I like gas water heaters. You see fire, you can't see electrons.