hot water heater issues HELP!

[fowlwoman1]

If a hot water heater has rusty marks on it coming from the panel, what does that mean? Is it rusted out inside? And if it makes a smell for a couple of days and then doesn't make hot water anymore does that mean the elements are just burned out or does that mean that we need a new hot water heater? help!

 

[fullhouse]

You may have some sediment built up in the bottom, can you flush it?

 

[fowlwoman1]

bumping....

 

[All about the EGG]

How old is the water heater? Rust usually signals decay, faults etc. Not giving hot water, and it smells? Could be a couple of issues.

 

[richnchicks]

IF your water heater is old, the sacrificial annode may be gone which makes the smell and speeds up the rust process. if it isn't making hot water that usually means the element has gone. just my humble opinion. rich

 

[hooligan]

Here are some troubleshooting sites:
http://homerepair.about.com/od/plumbingrepair/ss/trblsht_hwh.htm

http://www.plumbingproducts.com/troubleshootingwaterheaters.html

We just got a new one put in today ...we had no hot water since Sunday night.