It's SO COLD

[bigalpha]

Is it fixable? Dn't really have 3 or 4k to drop on a new one.

 

[scottmcneal]

Yea you can fix it, but they need to test the heat exchanger for cracks..Look down by the pilot light, can you see the thermocouple? remove it so you can clean that, then reinstall it.. If it is just real dirty this well fix it

 

[bigalpha]

Is that where the red wire is going into, up by the burners?

 

[scottmcneal]

Yep

 

[bigalpha]

So just hit the tip with fine sandpaper?

 

[scottmcneal]

Have you called for a service on this furnace? You need to get a service man to look at your heat exchanger..Service calls are cheap..

 

[scottmcneal]

So just hit the tip with fine sandpaper?

Yes, lightly..Try not to bend it away from the flame

 

[bigalpha]

Not yet - since I hven't been getting home until late. I should be able to on Friday.

 

[scottmcneal]

Sorry i type so

 

[bigalpha]

So I'm going to be easy on that with the sand paper. I assume I shouldn't attempt to remove and reinstall this component?

 

[scottmcneal]

Sorry i lost service..If you can get the screws out of it, yes remove and clean

 

[bigalpha]

Alrighty, I'll give that a shot and hopefully it fixes my shizzle.

I still need to get someone to look at the reason for the rust, though.

 

[scottmcneal]

The rust is from the drain, condensation drain on the coil for the A/C..Could be pluged..You need to service the thing, just like your jeep gets serviced..LOL

 

[bigalpha]

Will do. When I call for a service, will they check that drain as part of the service or will I need to specify?

 

[scottmcneal]

They should check it, i do..Tell them to so you know it is done..

 

[bigalpha]

Roger that, thanks for the guidance. I'll report back with findings and maybe pics later.

 

[bigalpha]

Alright, just had the HVAC peeps out and it turns out that the heat exchangers are bad. There are a few pinholes in the top portion (where it U's back up).

Is this patchable or replaceable?

 

[ChiXJeff]

Personally, I'd just look at either replacing the heat exchangers, or the whole unit (might be cheaper depending on how much tear-down is required and how hard it is.) Pinholes means corrosion, and I'll bet there's a lot of very thin metal now.

Dad used to have a combination wood/oil furnace in the old house. We discovered that we just had to plan on replacing the heat exchanger in it every 3-5 years as it just corroded out.

 

[bigalpha]

Yeah, the tech said that it would cost around 1200-1500 to replace the heat exchanger. I can get a whole new unit installed for 3800.

TVA has a program that you can finance a new dual-fuel unit but it'd be around 6500 to go that route.