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Topic: Propane furnace troubleshooting (Read 998 times) previous topic - next topic

Propane furnace troubleshooting

Got around to troubleshooting an intermittent HydroFlame furnace.  I think I found the problem.  >:D

Replacement found on line from rvpartsworld, in W.Georgia.

jk

Jack and Cathy
1992 U280 Unihome 36' Build #4034
Cummins 8.3 /  Allison MT647/ PacBrake
Apopka, FL / Barre Center, NY

Re: Propane furnace troubleshooting

Reply #1 –
Added new back splash. Always hated that brown Formica and mirror.
Believe it or not, this is stick on plastic squares from Lowes. Looks and feels like tile.Cost $125.00 to do it, and another $30.00 for the walnut to make the trim. I had the stain and sealer.Worked out great, because it fit under the metal window trim.So it finished out nice.
I also re-did the kitchen valance in walnut, the valance fabric in the coach made it too busy.
Whole job took about 4-5 hours
Chris
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Propane furnace troubleshooting

Reply #2 –
Quote from: kimosabe99 –
Got around to troubleshooting an intermittent HydroFlame furnace.  I think I found the problem.  >:D

Replacement found on line from rvpartsworld, in W.Georgia.

jk

I have seen Aqua hots melt down from running on low DC voltage, over and over. 1st thing that came to mind,low DC voltage, messing with the gas valve, making it burn lean and hot. It may be rusted, but it looks burnt out.No rust anywhere else around the edges.
Not sure how it got rusted out like that, in over 50 years of fixing maybe 500 heaters like this, I have never seen that before.
If this heater burner is that rusty, I would be looking at the chamber closely, I bet it's rusted too..Danger, danger danger. Just sayin'
If it's burnt out, I would be looking further, just for safety.
Chris
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Propane furnace troubleshooting

Reply #3 –
Chris,

Point taken on checking the chamber. I have a fiber optic camera and will scope it out tomorrow.  I saw another post from a few years ago by Chuck that had some similar photos with his fix.  see Topic: Need Hydro Flame Furnace Burner.

jk



Jack and Cathy
1992 U280 Unihome 36' Build #4034
Cummins 8.3 /  Allison MT647/ PacBrake
Apopka, FL / Barre Center, NY

Re: Propane furnace troubleshooting

Reply #4 –
Here's a link to my old post.  I think burners being rotted out is very common in this furnace design.  Google the subject and you will find many RV owners that have the same problem.  Perhaps it has something to do with condensation forming on the metal due to temperature changes, or something like that.  All I know is, after I replaced my burner the furnace has worked just fine for 4 years.

Need Hydro Flame Furnace Burner
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Propane furnace troubleshooting

Reply #5 –
Chris, Is the tile grouted?  Ilooked at something like that but I hate to grout a vertical piece.

  I finished the rebuild of the bathroom, removed  the Thetford toilet again, , added a flex hose for the fill to reduce the  flush torque on the solid lines.  The leak was a crack on the flush  valve fitting itself.

Finished the wall plumbing cover  with stick on tile over the foam . Looks pretty good and a world better than the carpet .
 Replaced all of the rusty shower screws with stainless, recaulked  the  shower.  Replaced the diverter valve , added a 6ft hose for the  now raised shower head.  Removed the "tub handle" .
 I am looking at removing the backsplash mirror at the sink also, but the mirror is on there better then the rest and it looks like no wall paper behind it. 
 Has anyone removed the lower mirror?
 Ordered all of the filters  and will change them before we roll again. 

Re: Propane furnace troubleshooting

Reply #6 –
Quote from: kimosabe99 –
Chris,

Point taken on checking the chamber. I have a fiber optic camera and will scope it out tomorrow.  I saw another post from a few years ago by Chuck that had some similar photos with his fix.  see Topic: Need Hydro Flame Furnace Burner.

jk

Just wanted to add, for those that have similar issues in the future,Just for safety.

Also, running on low DC, can cause the fan to run slower (causing over heating). Normally it won't light, but it can. All the heaters I repair, I bench test 1st.

I have seen a few burnt out chambers, and I actually missed one once. Hard to see, easy to miss.Especially in RV's that are lived in.

Just repaired one this last week. Over temp switch was out, was intermittent. Had to completely dissemble the heater to get to it.
The burner was perfect. This thing was a late 1980's trailer, lots of use. They live in it up on the Coeur D Alene river 6 months a year.

I was just more concerned that you were throwing parts at it, and not realizing the problem that caused it. Appears you are knowledgeable, and on top of it.

More of my RV repair knowledge comes from experience (something I have seen or experienced), and not necessarily text book. This is one to add to my pro text book, great find, something I have never seen. But then again, I am a west coast tech.North Idaho is a very dry climate.

BTW, I was told by an old timer RV tech, that the fan motors are good for 1000 hrs. Most the time it is true. But your heater is easy to replace the motor, you still might consider replacing it while it's apart. The fan's can get stuck on the shaft, and hard to get off without breaking or bending. Did a few in sub zero weather with snow on the ground, not fun..

Lastly, I wouldn't order the motor just off the model number of the heater, you need the numbers right on the motor. Even with that it takes some research cross referencing the numbers to get the correct one. Some turn reverse direction, some slower and faster. Shaft length can very. They made a gazzillion different motors.

Just throwing it out there.

Chris
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Propane furnace troubleshooting

Reply #7 –
I might add the heater discussion. At 18-20 years old when it stops working might be time and $$ ahead to replace the whole mess.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Propane furnace troubleshooting

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Protech Racing –
Chris, Is the tile grouted?  Ilooked at something like that but I hate to grout a vertical piece.

  I finished the rebuild of the bathroom, removed  the Thetford toilet again, , added a flex hose for the fill to reduce the  flush torque on the solid lines.  The leak was a crack on the flush  valve fitting itself.

Finished the wall plumbing cover  with stick on tile over the foam . Looks pretty good and a world better than the carpet .
 Replaced all of the rusty shower screws with stainless, recaulked  the  shower.  Replaced the diverter valve , added a 6ft hose for the  now raised shower head.  Removed the "tub handle" .
 I am looking at removing the backsplash mirror at the sink also, but the mirror is on there better then the rest and it looks like no wall paper behind it. 
 Has anyone removed the lower mirror?
 Ordered all of the filters  and will change them before we roll again.

Man, you been a busy boy. lets see pictures.

No grout. It's stick on 10" x 10" plastic squares. I pickup donuts the other day, and they had real tile just like it. I couldn't tell the difference.

The stuff has lots of positive reviews. Since I posted a picture on FB page, a few people posted theirs too, and are happy.

This stuff looks and feels real. I was worried about the wall flexing with tile, and like you, too much work.

The other good thing is, no need to cut out around the window, leaving a ruff edge. I just removed the trim frame, and stuck them up to the window, re-installed the frame.

I ripped 3/4" walnut into 1/4" strips, and made the trim. silicone'd it on (no nails).

You get them at Lowe's, but Home Cheapo has some different one's too. They also make real tile (thin) stick on, with no grout required. But I liked these best.Cost me $120.00 or so, took about 1 1/2 hr to install, once everything was prepped.

Chris
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Propane furnace troubleshooting

Reply #9 –
Quote from: bbeane –
I might add the heater discussion. At 18-20 years old when it stops working might be time and $$ ahead to replace the whole mess.

A thought, and certainly a good idea Bruce,but as long as the chamber is good, and with a new motor, they can run forever. That is if it also has a new board (more likely if it is that old, it will have a newer board). It will be much cheaper then a new heater.
Some of the older models are not available (size)
Chris
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Propane furnace troubleshooting

Reply #10 –
Mike, I have replaced that mirror with real tile and grout and it was definitely tough to get of but did come off in 1 piece. I use a wood saw blade to push behind the mirror and pull it back and forth as you press it deeper. It will come off.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Propane furnace troubleshooting

Reply #11 –
Quote from: John Haygarth –
Mike, I have replaced that mirror with real tile and grout and it was definitely tough to get of but did come off in 1 piece. I use a wood saw blade to push behind the mirror and pull it back and forth as you press it deeper. It will come off.
JohnH

Me too, actually wasn't that bad. The saw idea you gave, worked great. Thanks.
Had gloves and eye protection, ready for it to break. Came off in perfect shape. The Formica on mine was harder, but came off in pieces. Tore 2 small holes in the walnut a bit, but little putty fixed that.
Chris
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348
 

Re: Propane furnace troubleshooting

Reply #12 –
Quote from: kimosabe99 –
Got around to troubleshooting an intermittent HydroFlame furnace.  I think I found the problem.  >:D

Replacement found on line from rvpartsworld, in W.Georgia.

jk


Installed new burner (Part # 30268) and furnace works fine again.  Furnace model was 8516-Series II. Original unit I believe.
 jk



Jack and Cathy
1992 U280 Unihome 36' Build #4034
Cummins 8.3 /  Allison MT647/ PacBrake
Apopka, FL / Barre Center, NY