Water Heater Broke?

Just answer the question !

If it don't work, its broke !

Was there water in it? if not then and the electric portion was energized then the heater element is burned out.

sounds like a bug got in there and blocked the tube and it back fired. is there a soot mark on the out side of the heater?

Was it drained?

Weird smell.....what does it smell like?

And as asked above...is is still working? I'd take the cover off the outside, and check things out....anything obvious?

Good Luck:)

Has it been awhile since being used?

Spider webs/critter nests etc. inside combustion chamber will cause sooting and smell funny.

So....does it work now.
IF not be more specific on what it is doing and not doing.

Also Brand/Model really helps

Does it work now? Is the thermal cutoff burned? Atwood heater? gas/electric or just gas? Does it work in electric but not gas?