^^^ It's a 40 gal electric. Yesterday, I removed the bottom door over the lower element and it was dry. Also dry in the plastic overflow pan that holds the whole unit.

The only abnormal thing was the pressure relief valve has an amount of calcium build-up on the valve. I don't see how that could cause the smell.

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^^^ I'm not sure...but I don't think they were meaning their water heater.:D

Is the smell possibly from a hot electrical component, think burning transformer or overheating phenolic circuit board, possibly from the heater or maybe from some other plugged-in device nearby.

^^^ The water heater is isolated from anything else in the basement. The water softener, washer, dryer are all on other walls....at least 12 feet away. The water well pump is outside, underground.

The only thing close to the heater is the main sewer line going out through the basement wall to the septic tank. Tomorrow, I'm going to take a good look at that. There is no seepage, but maybe gasses are leaking from somewhere on it.

I just now reset both elements to 140 degrees....they were 125 degrees.

I'll see if that makes any difference...should notice it in the shower tomorrow.

Add 140°, you’ll know it’s hot enough when your skin falls off.

^^^ The element thermostats only go up to 160....lol

I don't want to melt my shower stall down. :)

Here's an interesting video where you see several water heaters of various years cut open, including the flexible anode that I mentioned.

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Is it possible that you've got a leak that you can't see?

If it was the water heater, I'd expect the hot water to smell.

^^^See post 25
That's on the agenda for tomorrow.

This seems the most likely culprit to me based on what I've read in your posts.

^^^I agree...esp because the only time I smell the gas was when standing next to the heater....which is very close to the cast iron sewage pipe.
I was not thinking of something like that.

I wonder what would be the best tool to find a gas leak from cast iron pipe?
Other than my nose...I have no idea.

a BIC lighter.

Only if it's a big leak.

I might have to record the Boom Boom

Since upping the water temp yesterday...the smell has all but disappeared. The shower was hotter...had to use less hot water, and there was still no smell.

I looked and smelled of the nearby sewage line and no leaks, cracks, or smell.
I even used my hand-held co2 meter...and there was none. (because of the nearby furnace)

Whatever it is will surely come back, but I'm not worried about it.
I'm writing it up as 'problem gone'. :)

FYI: Electric water heaters are one of the biggest users of electricity in the home. You may see a slightly higher electric bill (even though you are using less hot water in the shower) because the WH is keeping the water at the hotter temperature 24/7.

^^^ Yep...I figured on that.
My summer electric bills run around $160/month...winter around $220/month. Even with those prices, I feel that it's a good price for what I get.
My Comcast bill is higher than that....and I can't seem to lower it.