Service or replace water heater?

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Ramias

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Never had any problems that I know of.

80 gallon AO Smith thank. Installed in June 2006 (they wrote it in marker on the tank).

I was doing separate research on why my Bosch dishwasher stinks (yes, the drain Jose has an air gap, and water temp,is between 120 and 125 or hotter (it feels hot) but one of the Internet sites a read on my Bosch said theproblem could be the HW anode. I have never looked at it and I have been here three years. Tank has not been drained nor serviced in that time.

Pay for a service call for routine tank maintenance and anode replacement?

Get a new 80 gallon tank?

Or go tankless? (Though I was told I would need a bigger gas line in the home for this).
 

Dj2

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Fix or buy new? It's your call, there can be arguments either way (search other posts here).

What would I do? Considering the age of the WH, the fact that it has never been serviced and potentially other hidden issues - I'd replace it.

Go tankless? Besides the initial large investment in installing a tankless on demand WH, it come with its set of problems, like hot water shortage, much more service, higher cost, and more. Biggest advantage: it saves space.
 

Reach4

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If the smell was coming from the water heater, I would think you would also get a smell in the shower. I got a lot of hits with this search: bosch dishwasher rotting

Do you have a well or city water?

I have flushed my water heater and gotten an impressive amount of gunk out. I put a powered anode on my WH. A simple WH flush is not that hard. Put the WH into vacation mode or off. Turn off water to the heater. Drain completely. Turn water supply back on quickly for maybe 30 seconds then off. Drain completely. Turn water supply back on quickly for maybe 30 seconds then off. Drain completely. Repeat a few time.

Checking an anode and replacing can be significant work, and usually is best done with a torque wrench (1-1/8 socket) for removing. Do not use nearly the torque that was needed to pull the old anode when replacing with the new anode. What kind of anode to use would vary according to your water. I have a powered anode.
 
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JerryR

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Don't replace your water heater for a stinky dishwasher. Replace the dishwasher.

I went through this with brand new Samsung dishwasher 2 years ago. The complete cure was to give it back to Home Depot and swap it out for a Kitchenaid.
 

hj

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After 9 years, the anode rod should be completely "dissolved", so I doubt it has anything to do with your problem. IF you remove the anode, I would replace it with a 3/4" brass plug.
 

JerryR

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Brass plug $5
I paid $11.55 for a Rheem SP11524c Magnesium Anode rod.

1 of: Rheem SP11524C Magnesium Anode Rod with 44-Inch Length and 0.84-Inch Diameter
Sold by: online Warehouse Deals, Inc
 
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