I have done this before but its been a long time.
1. Does the water heater have to be drained to change the element?
2. guess that's it for now.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I believe so. Good idea to drain it and flush it occasionally anyway

Electric hot water tank element replacement - YouTube

Drain of course and ... REMEMBER to fill it back up before turning on the juice or you will fry the new element.

There's a bunch of You Tube videos to walk you through it.

I just helped my buddy replace his HW Tank a few weeks ago. Very easy. Make sure the juice is off, you dont burn yourself with hot water, et cet., all the safety issues.

Change the sacrificial anode while it's empty if you can.

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Greg Schwall

1983 300SD - 465,000 miles

Why drain it? Can't you just relieve the pressure and swap it out with the water in it?

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Sure you can, but you will get rather wet in the process. It's that gravity thing that makes the water in the tank fall out of that hole where the element goes. Maybe if you're quick enough it won't be too bad. Most folks turn off the power, let it cool down, and then drain the water and sediment out the bottom tap, before removing/replacing heating elements.

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“Never attempt to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and annoys the pig.” ― Robert A. Heinlein

Sorry,butI must............
There would be no need to heat your water if it was hot it is a water heater; not a HOT water heater. No matter how many places claim it by the wrong name

Yes, replace the anode while you are at it.

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

You don't have to drain the heater to change the element, but you must follow a specific sequence for this trick to work.

1. Close hot water heater supply valve.
2. Go to the nearest hot water faucet, and open the hot water lever for a few seconds and then close it. This creates a slight vacuum in the tank.
3. Assuming you already have your new element and tools already laid out, and a bath towel ready.
4. The key is to very quickly unscrew the old and insert the new element. You will probably spill less than a cup of water.

I have done this several times with great success, and didn't believe it would work when a plumber buddy of mine told me about it.

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"I was a dirty bird, Carol's not grungey - she's *****in" John Milner....American Graffiti

Does this trick only work on 4/1?

Oh, and it also help if you have already loosened the old element a "c" hair and tightened it back up before you commence. That way you aren't fighting the old element when you do it for real. I also lube the o'ring on the new element to avoid pinching it.

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"I was a dirty bird, Carol's not grungey - she's *****in" John Milner....American Graffiti

Sorry, it's been a long day, what's 4/1?

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"I was a dirty bird, Carol's not grungey - she's *****in" John Milner....American Graffiti

After thinking about it, you have to create a vacuum by opening the faucet. If you just shut off the water, you will invent all sorts of new bad language when you get drenched.

Also, you must have a shut off valve on the supply side just before the heater. Closing the main water supply won't work.

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"I was a dirty bird, Carol's not grungey - she's *****in" John Milner....American Graffiti

How many pranks did you pull today?

Unless you wanted to make it even hotter

No, it's not a April fools joke. I have better things to do with my time. I took time out my day to post a real solution to a problem.

People wonder why members have dropped off on the forum, this is why.

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"I was a dirty bird, Carol's not grungey - she's *****in" John Milner....American Graffiti