I want to replace the dip tube of my water heater. It is not visible so I figured it must be under the top cover. I removed the four screws but it doesn't budge. How do I get the top cover off?

SOURCE: Reliance gas water heater 40 capicity, has a leak on the top

Most likely only one of the pipes is leaking but weaping enough to cover the top and indented places near both inlet and outlet. This leak has most likely penetrated all the insulation and is a problem throughout the tank wrap insulation...If you are able to blow air continuously long enough to determine which connection is leaking then fix it. It will likely to take quite a while to dry out all the insulation if the water has migrated down into the tank wrap... If you determine that the insulation is waterlogged, you may be able to drill several small holes in the external cover.
good luck

SOURCE: Dip Tube

You may want to check the heating elements first. Where I live there is a lot of lime in the water that can coat the elements.

Steve Wood Plumbing and Heating

• 21 Answers
• Posted on Oct 11, 2009

SOURCE: Our electric water heater doesn't work.

make sure it is wired correctly, check circuit breaker, check breaker built on to element. If all fails, and it is determined your not getting power to it, you may need a electrician. Be careful. good luck.
Steve

SOURCE: First four numerical digits in the Rheem Serial Number

Yes manfactured on or around 1999.

SOURCE: I have a 40 gallon electric reliance water heater

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.

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