Water heater Questions.

[videogfiend]

a couple of questions. my water heater tdr safty device blew due to a fly trap bag I had hanging outside of the door by my water heater. I since replaced it, though, when i relight the burner the gasket that rheem supplied (white gasket) smokes and smells like burnt plastic. The flame does not seem like it rolls out but does come right up to the burner door. ive checked the flue and also did the match test to see if the ventilation was ok. It was. I wanted to know if this was normal or not? it has actually caused two more tdrs to burst due to the fumes from the burnt plastic.

also, when i restarted the heater i can hear a ticking noise coming from the burner compartment. Is that normal as well? is it simply heating up and expanding? or should it be a major cause for concern?

rheem gas 40 gallon 2008 Integra systesm

Thanks,

 

[IFIXH20]

Time delay relay should not go bad from fumes/smells, I would say you have another problem that is causing them to go bad , With the heater smoking ans smelling like burnt plastic You should have the water heater check by a Qualified Plumber.