Originally Posted by WallyHelps
Sorry for the delayed reply...I just got back from vacation (7/16-7/22).
That does look like a relay, and I could believe that a component like that would be more susceptible to heat than the other resistors, capacitors, etc. Unfortunately, you can't be certain without swapping it out--which probably requires a whole new (unreturnable) circuit board.
Earlier you mentioned a round thing. Did you happen to get a photo of that too? I'm guessing that is some type of thermal switch/fuse, and might be suspect.
I sure hope it isn't as hot where you are as it is where I was!
WallyH