I NEED DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO DRAIN A RELIANCE 606 30 GALLON GAS WATER HEATER

Shut off water open lowest drian/ tap off water will run off there .It will take the pressure off

Thermocouple is the issue most likely
page 17 in link.
if your heater has a fame arrestor it may be dirty and restriction air into combustion chamber
http://www.reliancewaterheaters.com/media/72552/100264285-RELIANCE-N3-GAS-ULN.pdf

Get more air to the heater, check the draft...
Troubleshoot manuals:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html#honeywell

Tank is fully repairable by homeowner using generic parts from hardware
Replace thermostats, test elements
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-gas-water-heater.html

http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html

http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

Gene

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

thermostat.Check Settings,and if you turned it up or down while power was still on, thenchange them both. also t+p valve may be weak from temp overshoot.Change it if it continues after replacing thermostats

Dec 1999
Reliance is AO Smith
First letter of serial number is month, and next two digits are year.
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/WaterHeaterSerialNumberDecoder.pdf

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Reliance is AO Smith.
Each gas control has identifying information on side of gas control valve. Make sure you order for NG natural gas or LP propane gas, since these are two different gas control valves.
Google search the gas control number and results will show.
Copy following links for more help:
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/How-to-replace-water-heater-gas-valve.pdf
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html#intellivent

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

I have had a similar issue with my Reliance heater. The safest thing to do is replace the entire gas control. You will need the model no. and the serial no. to find the correct one. May have one in stock at some place like Ace Hardware, I found mine on the internet after getting the part no. from the Reliance web site parts dept. May be $75 and up. if you are on propane, there will be a setting in the new control to set for propane The orifices in the burner etc. are already set there. Be careful, it is gas. To change the control is easy, you will need a large pipe wrench to wrap around the whole thing and unscrew it. Drain the heater first, open a hot water faucet to aid in this. And be sure to flush the water heater before you re- light. Lots of videos on the internet on the proper steps. And of course turn off the water supply and the gas supply before you start.

Yes you should shut off gas valve & water in to tank. Drain tank fully then turn on water & relight pilot.

http://www.aosmith.com/OperatingUnits/Detail.aspx?id=138&ekmensel=c580fa7b_12_0_138_3
Reliance is an AO Smith company

http://www.reliancewaterheaters.com/prod/elec.html
Link above goes to Reliance electric water heaters
I cannot find your model number
The serial number seems to show it was made in 1994, so the spec sheet would be difficult to find
You must have bought a good heater and taken care of it for it to last that long.

http://www.reliancewaterheaters.com/lit/spec/electric/R606E0510.pdf
Typical 40 gallon Reliance electric:
18" x 59-1/2"
20-1/2" x 44"

http://www.reliancewaterheaters.com/lit/spec/electric/R909E0510.pdf
Self-cleaning type Reliance 40 gallon
19" x 60"
21-1/2" x 46"

The size of your heater can be determined by measuring the height, and then measure across the top to get the diameter. Your measurements will be close to the numbers shown above.