Another Water heater question

[K&Gs3400RL]

It quit working on electric, so I went back and searched old posts. Figured out it was a tripped breaker (don't know why I didn't think about that) anyway I switched it off and when I switched it back on the water heater started popping. So I turned it back off.
My question is do you know why it started popping? cause? solution?
Thanks in advance

Ok flipped the breaker back on, No popping for about two minutes. Popped once a minute later it popped again, and then started popping about every two or three seconds. Shut it back off. and now we can smell a burning smell. I took off all the panels to get to the water heater but everything looks fine. Don't see black on any wires or connections. ???????

George

[steelpony5555]

Popping and electricity is never good, sorry I can't be of more help....

[jwedell]

My guess is the water heater element is bad. If it is It's a home depot item. Not too hard to replace.

[Champ_49]

The popping sound you are hearing is likely the ignitor trying to light the water heater under the gas mode. On the electric side you may have a heating element gone bad. Not sure if when you have the electric on if your type goes automatic to gas and then its trying to ignite the gas.

Dave

[DQDick]

quote:Originally posted by Champ_49

The popping sound you are hearing is likely the ignitor trying to light the water heater under the gas mode. On the electric side you may have a heating element gone bad. Not sure if when you have the electric on if your type goes automatic to gas and then its trying to ignite the gas.

Dave

X2 on checking this. The electric element crapping out was probably what tripped the breaker.