I am replacing the heating element on a Seaward marine water heater 6 gallon. It seems to hang up on the curled end. Can I just cut it off and leave it in the tank?

SOURCE: Rheem small 6 gallon water heater vibration/noise

If the water heater is working fine than I would not worry about the function of the water heater. What the problem may be is that some of your WATER LINES HAVE MOVED, AS THEY WERE NOT SECURED PROPERLY. The sound you may have heard was the Copper or PVC(Plastic) lines just getting back comfortable. I Suggest checking that your water lines are secured about every 3 or 4 feet with the proper ancjhor....Metal for metal pipe, copper for copper pipe, etc. Sometime as in my house, pipes are run through a hole drilled through a stud or a piece of wood, usually when hot water is run through this pipe. You can here an expansion of the water line interacting with the pipe expanding, if the hole in the wood was not drilled big enough......Experience of remodeling a very old house.......Joe

SOURCE: water heater not heating it's a richmond water heater

Now change the thermostats........this is the only other thing it could possibly be.

SOURCE: How to replace heating element for InSinkErator W154 water heater

take the front cover off, it is just snaped on, there you will see it, depending on the age of the unit insinkerator will replace it for free, you just have to install it, but for the most part it might be cheaper to change the unit

SOURCE: warm water only

You can eliminate the shower control knob possibility by turning on your hot water anywhere else in the house. If you get hot water in other places, then it could be the knob causing it. A substantial lime buildup in the tank can also cause poor heat transfer from the elements to the water.

SOURCE: Hot water heater flow problems.

hey Bookie, those plastic inserts are kinda moulded into the nipples, so taking them out might be more than a feat,...did you solder the pipe to the female adapter ON the nipple? if you did you melted the plastic and that is what's your restricting your flo,......or (believe it or not) the inlet water valve isn't turned on all the way,.....close it then open it,..could have somethin stuck in it. let me know eh? thanks and good luck, cracklin joe