|
QUESTION:I have owned a rental for 2 years with a big old round gravity furnace
that was converted to gas many years ago. Last year there were no
problems keeping the pilot lit. But this year, from the time I first
fired it up for the winter, the pilot and burner will stay on for
about 1/2 hr, then go out regardless of the thermostat setting.
There have been five hvac techs who have recently looked at this
furnace. One put on a new thermocouple. The flame appears strong and
blue, but it made no difference as far as it not staying lit. At least
two of these men clearly didn't know what they were doing, and after
tinkering around a bit, tried to get me to buy a new furnace (which is
not an option until I am convinced it cannot be repaired). One pointed
out a hairline crack on the heat exchanger. It is very small, and
though it *could* be the problem, I don't think it is. One turned the
limit dial (?) all the way up. No difference.
None of them think the gas valve is the problem. They all get the
burner to cycle on and off without extinguishing the pilot several
times before they leave, so they think they've done something. But
within minutes after they're gone, I'm relighting the pilot. It is as
if something is putting out the flame. I've checked the basement for
drafts, there are none.
I have spent a lot of money on asbestos abatement of the heating ducts
and now I'm getting in hock on service calls that amount to nothing.
Hopefully no one here will be trying to sell me something so I'm
hoping I can get an objective opinion based on what I've given you
(sorry my knowledge of furnaces is very limited). Have I just been
unlucky enough to get a string of incompetent service techs or is this
beyond fixing?
ANSWER: sounds like pilot is being blown out just about the time that the furnace
cycles off....look for a cracked or holed heat exchanger.
You are most likely looking at replacing the furnace. You have squeezed
every last penny out of the dinosaur...now its time to cough up for a new
one.
But without actually *SEEING* the furnace and checking it myself, This is
strictly a guess as there is no way to tell over the internet.
|
|
|
|
