Bain Posted May 24, 2005 Report Share Posted May 24, 2005 I found this--quite easily for obvious reasons--cracked heat-exchanger in a furnace last week. Today, the HVAC tech called with questions about a second furnace with minor problems and said he was going to replace the "face plate" of the furnace in the photo. I asked him a few questions to make certain we weren't miscommunicating, and (I think--we were, after all, talking via phones) he maintained that what I was looking at was not the actual heat-exchanger but a replaceable plate. I was able to penetrate the crack +/- 1/4" with a screwdriver, so I'm finding it difficult to envision that portion of the furnace as replaceable. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bain Posted May 24, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2005 The photo didn't upload for some reason. Here it is. Download Attachment: DSC01180.JPG 577.86 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted May 24, 2005 Report Share Posted May 24, 2005 Depending on the mfg., the face plate should be replacable. The cracked component is a face plate; the heat exchanger is the "tube" behind it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bain Posted May 24, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2005 So the tech likely knows what he's doing, huh? There's a photo of a failure in the Heat Exchanger Expert manual that practically mirrors the one I uploaded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted May 24, 2005 Report Share Posted May 24, 2005 Well, again, it depends on the mfg. & such, but a lot of those face plates can be changed out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottpat Posted May 24, 2005 Report Share Posted May 24, 2005 I concur. I found an almost identical crack on an inspection last week, it was a on an old Rheem unit. Some how they found another face plate and replaced the cracked one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bain Posted May 24, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2005 Thanks as always, Kurt and Scott. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MechAcc Posted May 25, 2005 Report Share Posted May 25, 2005 What is the manufacturer and model number of this furnace? Granted this is a faceplate, however you have streaking upwards above the burners. This is could be an indication that the gas valve is delaying shuting off after the inducer has turned off, a possible restriction in the venting system or there is a crack in the heat exchanger. If this is a clamshell heat exchanger and it is a Goodman , looks like Goodman burners, most likely the crimped rings that secure the two halves of the clam shells together have separated. One note. If the vestibule panel of a heat exchanger is cracked the local governing authority has final approval whether patch plates from the manufacturers may be used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurt Posted May 25, 2005 Report Share Posted May 25, 2005 Good points. The face plate is kind of toasted; it would be smart to find out why. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bain Posted May 25, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2005 You're right, of course, Gary. But the service-people who come in behind me and others seldom possess your level of expertise. Independent thought is becoming a lost commodity. How many service techs would you expect to ask the same questions you did in your post? John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MechAcc Posted May 26, 2005 Report Share Posted May 26, 2005 Originally posted by Bain You're right, of course, Gary. But the service-people who come in behind me and others seldom possess your level of expertise. Independent thought is becoming a lost commodity. How many service techs would you expect to ask the same questions you did in your post? John Not the plug and go techs.[:-paperba Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MechAcc Posted May 26, 2005 Report Share Posted May 26, 2005 By the way Heat Exchanger Experts name was brought up. He has new schedule for this September if anyone is interested. http://www.heatexchangerexperts.com/schedule.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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