Hi,
A friend who owns her own home asked me to look at her water heater. The pilot had gone out, and she called the gas company. They sent someone out who replaced the thermocouple (right term?). Not long after, she noticed a bad smell and sooty scorch marks above the burner cover. She turned it off immediately of course.
I have looked at it and read the instructions. The pilot lights and stays lit. The burner flame lights when it is turned on, but the flame is very orange and sputtery. Flames lick all around the underneath and threaten to come out the burner cover. It improves slightly if the damper is closed, but the room still smells scorched and sooty. The burner does not appear clogged, though the inside of the chamber is very sooty and caked.
This isn't behavior you like to see in a major household appliance. Should she expect to have to replace the unit, or is there a reasonable shot at repair? It is an older unit of unknown age.
Thanks, Harry