Reliance 606 gas hot water heater went out did what directions said wont light , what do i do

SOURCE: need to empty reliance 501 hot water heater how?

1) Shut the breaker off to it at the panel. 2) Hook a hose up to it (the bottom has a drain). 3) Close the valve to the water heater (on the cold water supply). 4) Open drain on the bottom of water heater. 5) Open the relief valve to allow air into the tank (it won't drain otherwise - think if you put your finger on one end of a straw - the liquid stays in until you let go). Why are you draining it by the way?

SOURCE: Pilot won't stay lit in Reliance 606 gas water heater

The Reliance 606 has an enclosed thermal couple. Before you try taking that assembly apart take a wire brush to the bottom opening directly under the burner. There is a metal filter on the very bottom of the water heater. It could be that the filter has gotten filled with dust or animal hair. It took a serviceman 2 days to figure this out for me. The water heater has to have good airflow through that filter to work well.

SOURCE: how to change a thermostat on reliance 606 hot

I wrote a page for changing water heater thermostat.
The photos take you through step-by-step
I recommend replacing both upper and lower thermostats so it eliminates thermostats as possible cause if water heater keeps overheating.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html

The Reliance 606 manual shows your water heater uses generic upper and lower thermostats from hardware store.
http://www.reliancewaterheaters.com/lit/om/manuals/185761-000.pdf

Likely the thermostat will solve the problem:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

SOURCE: how to change bad thermocouple on reliance gas hot

it is important to turn off

the gas supply to the water heater at the manual gas shut-off

valve. This valve is typically located beside the water heater.

Note the position of the shut-off valve in the open/on position

then proceed to turn it off.

2. On the lower front of the water heater locate the combination

gas control valve/thermostat. Depress and hold

the lock tab located under the gas control knob on the right.

Rotate the gas control knob on the combination gas control

valve/thermostat clockwise until "OFF" aligns with the mark on

the front of the gas valve. Once the gas supply has been shutoff,

remove outer door. 3. Using a 1/4" nut driver or socket loosen the two screws securing

the manifold door assembly until they are free. Do not

totally remove the screws and plastic retainer washers from

the manifold door. The screws and retainer washers will be

needed to reattach the manifold door. 4. In this step, the thermocouple, manifold tube, pilot tube and

igniter wire will be disconnected from the combination gas

control valve/thermostat. Using a 7/16" wrench

disconnect the thermocouple (left-hand thread) and pilot tube

(right-hand thread). Using a 3/4" wrench disconnect the manifold

tube (right-hand thread). Carefully pull the igniter wire from

the igniter button.

5. Grasp the manifold tube and push down slightly to free the

manifold tube, pilot tube, and thermocouple from the combination

gas control valve/thermostat. when installation is complete and gas is back on, You should be able to relight the pilot and the functionality of your gas hot water heater should be restored.

SOURCE: where is the anode rod in a 606 electric reliance

It is the 1" or 11/8" hex nut on the top of the water heater some where buy the supply line. As for the anode rod it could be either depending where it was sold. If you are going to change it out call your water provider and ask which would be better for your area and water.